Silver City

Driving into Silver City Cassia claimed, "I don't know, but I think we are almost there because I just finished reading my Bible."  I'll have to make sure she brings a longer Bible when we drive to Colorado!  Zade felt he'd been deceived when he saw Silver City is not made of actual silver. 

We left Brishen home alone overnight for the first time because he had to work on Friday and Saturday.  He is famous around here for saying he doesn't need to learn how to cook because he plans on living on frozen waffles once he heads to college.  I made sure there were some in the house and that the menu reflected his plans.  Surprisingly, he hadn't even opened the frozen waffles.  He claims he lived on sandwiches and donuts. :)

 We were in Silver City for Basia's track meet.  We went a day early and stayed in some cabins.  We started our tour of the area by walking the trail along the stream right behind downtown Silver City.  Edison loves, loves, loves any sort of running water, so this was a perfect walk.  We turned back only when we noticed that the sky was gloomy and heard the thunder. 

 I loved these bird houses.  There are 8 little houses, all imperfect and creatively pieced together.  It made me think of my own children.  Some were sturdier and others a bit more damaged, but they were all held together in one lovely group.

After quite a bit of walking, we found this crazy place along the trail where large rocks had been painted and everything was set up for a gathering of some sort.  There were large rocks in the middle to serve as a table and lots of rock seats around the table in a circle.  There were so many interesting pictures painted on the rocks.  I wonder who did it and who gathers there!

This was the entrance to the gathering circle.

 I love Tobias's expression!

Here is the path back to downtown Silver City.

We found refuge from the storm in a neat little store that sold ice cream.

 We then traveled a National Scenic Byway through the Gila Forest to get to Lake Roberts.  The kids slept through the beautiful sights and were ready to explore again when we reached the lake.  

 We saw frogs, fish, and ducks and tried to be quiet enough to enjoy the sound of the breeze and the little waves lapping the shore.

Asa was obsessed with picking up just the right rocks to throw into the lake.  He had the hardest time walking past a good rock, so his hands were always full of rocks.

 Jon and the kids all gave me wildflowers for this adorable bouquet.

 We then roasted hot dogs and marshmallows at our cabin. 

We wound our way through the streets until we remembered how to get to the house on Walnut where Jon and I lived for a year-and-a-half before we had any kids.  Jon was the campus minister at Western New Mexico University.  I worked at a day care center.  We became foster parents for the first time while living at this (then pink) house.

Our entire reason for going to Silver City was for Basia's track meet.  I can't seem to remember to take track meet pictures, though.  I'm a little too absorbed in cheering for my girl and her Panthers team.  She jumped the long jump and triple jump and ran the 800m relay.  She was all set to run the 200m individual race and then the 1600m relay at the end of the day when it started to pour.  Everyone rushed to their cars, and the meet was called off 45 minutes later.  She was so disappointed to miss her favorite events.  

Here they are, ready to go to the track meet.

It is so very nice to get away, but it is also exhausting!  Here is Zade at 9am the morning after.  Even loud siblings and toys galore can't keep him awake this morning!