A little boy's dream come true...

Locals have become deaf to it, even I may miss the sound, but if Henry is near, the train horn never goes unnoticed. Upon arriving in Durango (maybe even the first day) the train, train tracks, train museum, everything involving the train quickly became Henry's obsession. We waited for the right opportunity to actually have Henry ride the train. Even with his obsession, he was still a bit uneasy when he was extremely close to the train engine. The perfect opportunity fell into place. The train was hosting its annual Pumpkin Train, and Henry's Meemaw and Grandpa (Ryan's' parents) were coming for a visit. The time was now, a little boy's dream come true.....

No surprise here, Henry's Halloween costume was a train engineer. The costume started to come together this summer. First with the purchase of his train hat in Durango, and second, with the purchase of his trusty train whistle in Silverton. I decided to complete the costume with a few more purchases, and all in all, it was a success. Henry loved it.

All aboard....

Super happy and excited to be on the train. 

Loved watching everything go by. 

The train took you from the train station in Durango, to an area outside of town. They had set up a Charlie Brown themed village. 

He found the pumpkin he wanted. 

 

In true Durango fashion, a hike is always a great idea. A day Henry was in school, we decided to take Dave and Jayn on a hike along the southern portion of the Colorado Trail to Gudy's Rest, a look out point with amazing views.

Merry Christmas, Ryan...

It will sound backwards to you (and it should). Ryan bought ME a mountain bike last week, and he said, "This is your Christmas present to me." My response, " What?!?! YOU bought ME a mountain bike and it is YOUR Christmas present?!?!" Yes. Words cannot explain how excited Ryan was to take me mountain biking. I finally said I would go. When in Durango......

Last Monday, Ryan and I went mountain biking together.  I was a bit nervous, actually very nervous......for my face. I had this image of me flying over the front of my handle bars and catching my fall, with my face. We decided to rent a bike for me, to see if I actually liked it. I know everyone says, don't try a new sport/activity with your spouse. Ryan was beyond supportive and patient during our entire ride. I could really tell he wanted me to enjoy the ride.  Well, well, well, I ended up really enjoying the ride. It's hard, such a harder work out than anything I do in the gym. Durango is not flat, the climbs are long, and it's a serious workout. And this was even on an "easy" ride.

After the ride, Ryan and I went back to the bike shop to return the rental, and you guessed it, Ryan bought me a bike. Good motivation to continue riding, no longer paying for a rental, and now I have an awesome bike to hit the trails with. No one needs to know I have no idea what I am doing, but I am out there trying my best.

Two days later, a friend, Ashley, took our friend Sarah and me out on the trails again. It was going to be my second ride, and Sarah's first ride. Ashley is a rockstar on the trails, but was super supportive of Sarah and me. By the end of the ride, Sarah decided she liked mountain biking too! We are building our little group of mountain bikers! :)

Photo credit, Ashley. Documenting Sarah and I making the final climb to the top. 

Three awesome mountain biking ladies.  

So, the next morning, wanting to make the most of her bike rental. Sarah and I went back to the trails. Sarah rocked her second day of biking. After my third day of mountain biking in four days, my beginner mountain biking legs were feeling it. Even with the tired legs, it was so much fun getting outside and exploring new areas of Durango.

Sarah and I documenting our next day hitting the trails. 

I guess is turns out, Ryan and I are a Jeeping, mountain biking family. ;) Merry Christmas, Ryan. Your wife owns (and hits the trails with) a mountain bike.

His and her mountain bikes.
Now it's just a matter of time until we add a mountain bike for Henry.