Day Eleven - Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Montrose)

​Yesterday's coffee had European style goat butter in it. George thought it would be safe. It wasn't. Waking up to the sound of vomiting happening on you is intensely jarring. I sopped it up the best I could and drifted back to sleep. Tiny and George were the first to get up. I don't know what they did but Bubble followed pretty soon after. Biscuit and I lazily stayed in the tent until 8:20 or so. Who wants to disrupt a sleeping baby? ​

Bubble delivered word that daddy was making breakfast and coffee. My hero. He made the best breakfast sandwich. It tasted like home and I not realized I missed it that much. Girls has their oatmeal and George made a sandwich for him. Fail of the morning? We had leftover milk from San Antonio's McDonald breakfast. Poured it into George's coffee. More like plopped with all the curdles. 

Rinsed out his cup and split my coffee with him. Worked on uploading videos with the campground's wifi. Then took the baby to the bathhouse to wash his curdled milk off. ​

Received sage and thoughtful advice from campground employee about what we should make sure we see and do. ​

Made it to the entrance of the park to buy the Annual Pass for National Parks. Sold the last one two cars ahead of us. Ranger let us in for free since we will be going to another park in the next couple days. 

First overlook, wow! Breathless. I will let the pictures speak for themselves, although I am not sure they can do it justice. 

Visitor Center stop - saw mule deer in the parking lot, amongst all the people. Acquired supplies for elders to become Junior Rangers. They chose to draw the Canyon on the deck. I love watching them work. Watched the informational film that quickly became the Tiny show. 

Picnic at the farthest overlook. Found a table in the shade. Brogden enjoyed not touching anyone while the girls continued to work. Lunch served by 12:45. It has taken 11 days but we finally ate lunch during a reasonable lunch time window.

The composting toilet brought questions. Bubble gave her reasons why it was the same as a port-a-potty. Biscuit wanted to look down with a flashlight. I had to refuse her wishes. It ended with all the girls gazing into the abyss. 

I did not check out what they saw.

Quick climb before loading back in the car after lunch.

We stopped backed at the visitor's center for the elders to be sworn in as 'Junior Reindeer' as Biscuit called it. Picked out their souvenir postcards and back in the car to see all the vistas.

Pulpit Rock - Nice open vista for the family and to see impressive views of the canyon. Biscuit started 'hiptiasizing' mommy. Bubble developed that Goblet Family word when someone is purposefully antagonizing.

Looks worse than it is

Cross Fissures Vista - George checked the view out first since it was about a 400 foot walk and Biscuit and Tiny were being daredevils at the last stop. Bubble and Mommy went next. 

East Portal Road - for vehicles less than 22ft long. 16% downgrade. Drive down into the canyon. Once at the bottom, riding beside the Gunnison River, A Father's Love came on the radio. A song that will forever remind George of his father. We only hear it on the radio at moments you might want to have your father with you. It is always a reminder that Fred is with us. 

Trip back up the mountain put me on the outside of the road. It was gut wrenching close to the edge. Pretty views. Scary as hell. ​

Head over into town to pick up a few supplies and Bubble was itching to get Biscuit a birthday present. We wanted hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner. Took forever to find hamburgers. 

Not too hard to find Jeeps being 65 miles from Telluride. They are everywhere. ​

Girls and I watched a little bit of The Lorax while we waiting for George to go into the fourth store. Walmart. It has everything. Brogden took the time to vomit all over both of us. If you are with me in the future and I am picky, crazy, weird about what I eat, this is why. I have to block the bodily expulsion with my body. Luckily, only a little bit on my seat and NONE in his car seat. Praise. ​

Most was on me

Immediately got into the pool upon arrival at the KOA. Swam until time to start dinner. Girls switched to the playground which left Brogden and I to hang out. 

Dinner was tasty and simple. Girls played again once after they ate. Welcomed change from restaurants and best behavior for them. Cleaned up and showered. Dressed in clothes for tomorrow to save time in the morning. All in bed by the time I was finished with my shower. Today was a good day. 
Steps taken: 10,203 
Miles driven: ​53.6