The Story of Bebow and the Bean: I Heart Steamboat......

We took our first trip to Steamboat, ever, this past weekend. I am in love! The drive was beautiful, the town charming, the views spectacular and the weather, for once, gorgeous! It was so fun to get away with the family for the weekend and do everything you could think of in 2.5 days!

As soon as we rolled into town....the Alpine Slide...I could hear Brady hooting and hollering from a mile away. He loved it, although I think Daddy loved it more.

Then a visit with the horses that were gearing up for the Fri and Sat night rodeo! Lylah calls them Monkeys! :-)

And the main attraction......we were up and running at 545am to catch the first day of the Balloon Festival.

It was amazing....we were literally right in the midst of 34 balloons as they rolled out the canvas on the ground, fired them up, and took off in the air. We had to run out of the way of more than one basket as they skimmed the ground before sailing upwards. The kids both loved it and Brady picked 4 or 5 favorites, before asking if he could go up in one.

I absolutely love hot air balloons...I think they are one of the most peaceful, graceful and beautiful things to see (granted, I am terrified to get in one!). To me, they are representative of a Colorado morning...calm, quiet and serene, hovering over the mountains. It's one of my favorite sites on a weekend morning off of our deck but nothing could top the 34 balloons taking flight over the mountains of Steamboat on a sunny summer morning.

Then it was off to the Arts and Crafts Festival! We scored with so many festivals and events in one weekend but the whirlwind morning wiped out Lu-Lu as she took a rare snooze in my arm for a few minutes.

Then she was up and at 'em, throwing rocks in the Yampa River while watching tubers glide down the river. Can't miss out on a thing!

The Sulfur Springs reminded us all of a really good egg salad sandwich (can't mistake that odor)

but after so much outdoor play, it was time to go back to the room for some pool time and jumping on the "palette" bed.

Sunday morning, we watched more balloons while we ate breakfast outside, then off for a short walk to Fish Creek Falls, to check out the beautiful water fall.

Last but not least, a gondola ride to the top of Steamboat Ski resort....a little nerve wracking for both munchkins on the way up but they both wanted more on the way down.