Colorado: the journey begins

 
While I agree with the above statement, our trip to Colorado took us to diverse and amazing destinations. This was our 6th trip to National Parks with our friends/neighbors the Williams.  It's hard to believe it all started 10 years ago when Kate was 3 1/2 years old.  There were times when we weren't sure if this trip would happen, but it all came together and we had a blast!  The past 2 trips we have only had 9 of our 10 original travelers, and this year was no different.  Emily had to be at camp in North Carolina, but Aaron was on board for Colorado.

Nobles and Williams at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

Driving to the airport...family time for 11 days!

Welcome to Denver.

Sportin' the Kavus while waiting for our 15 passenger van.

After getting our Enterprise van at the airport our first destination was lunch! We met Jonathan Shaw at Freddy's, a burger place similar to Steak and Shake - but better.  Jonathan was a student at Shorter, and our kids met him one summer at Centrifuge. At the time we needed a pianist at Calvary and Shaw enters the picture. Three years and many Sunday lunches later he left for seminary in New Orleans.  He met Alessa  (or the future Mrs. Shaw as he often referred to her over Sunday lunch) at seminary, they got married and moved to Aurora Colorado in 2011. Talented, mature and Godly young man is the Reverend Shaw! It was great to visit with him, but sorry we didn't get to see Aleesa.

Lunch with Jonathan Shaw in Aurora Colorado.

Mississippi Avenue Baptist Church where Jonathan serves as minister of music.

After lunch we drove to Colorado Springs, and stopped at the Olympic Training Center, where we enjoyed the free tour.  Colorado Springs is home to the first OTC, but there are also facilities in Lake Placid, NY and Chula Vista California.  With the London Olympics coming later this summer, we were super pumped to be where the athletes train!

Nobles bobsled team

Paralympic Athletes also train here.

Kate, Brandon, Aaron, Carrie and Alyssa peer through the rings

Kate was thrilled to be at the aquatics center where many Olympians train.
We saw Jack Bauerle,  UGA and 2008 Olympic Coach,  working with swimmers at the pool.

We left the Olympic Training Center and checked into the Comfort Inn in Manitou Springs, which sits below Pikes Peak.  Pikes Peak was the plan for day 2!!