Visiting Gill in Colorado

3 flights and a night in a hotel near Denver airport, and we were ready for the guided tour of Colorado with Gill, including lots of interesting geology. We started with the fossil dinosaur footprints on they way from Denver to her house just outside of Silverthorne in the mountains. 

Fossil dinosaur footprints, supposedly 37 individuals (adults and babies)

The spectacular and classic picture postcard view of the mountains from near Gill and Mike's house

We went to Breckenridge, and as there is no skiing at this time of year we went down the Country Boy Mine to find some gold.... William wasn't so convinced by mining....he got a little scared in the dark mine. We tried our hand at gold panning afterwards - but no one struck it lucky.

William, Gill, Aaron and Helen in the Country Boy Mine

Today we headed over the continental divide to Steamboat Springs. We did a walk to see Fish Creek Waterfall and play in the river. We took Gill's new little husky puppy, Sacha, so that he could meet lots of people. It was pretty hot so we splashed in the river, then went for ice cream, followed by the hot pools - seemed like a good idea and felt pretty good - despite the heat of the day. William loved the hot pools.  

William (in backpack), Gill, Helen and Sacha (the puppy)

On the way home we got caught be an impressive thunderstorm with lots of lightning... 

On the road driving home into the storm...