Estes Parks ~ Birch Ruins~ the beautiful remains a onetime spectacular mansion overlooking the city

I made the climb to Birch Ruins several years ago, and have been wanting to go again for quite some time. 

Circumstances have prevented that from happening until my most recent trip to Estes Parks.

My brother got to accompany us on this adventure.

Shiloh always gets the best seat in the house.

I love the view from the big bay windows.

Mr Birch must have been really bummed when his dream house burned down. 

You can read about it here.

The ruins are deffinately a worthwhile excoursions if you're planning a visit to Estes.

Estes Parks Aerial Tramway

Estes Parks Arial Tramway is a great place to take the family to visit when they come to town.

The transportation is none to shabby.

The view from the top is breathtaking.

The view of the Stanley Hotel is unmatchable

Everyone loves to see snow on the mountains.

Roxborough State Park

Roxborough State Park  is a hidden jewel.  Much like the more famous parks, Garden of the Gods, and Red Rocks Amphetheater, 

Roxborough exibits the same beautiful red rock formations.

Laura was to kind as to join us on our return visit to this beautiful park.  {Thanks for the awesome day Laura, we'll miss you after you move to TX}

The trails are very stroller and toddler friendly.

The ranch site is a wonderful place for a picknick.

The Butterfly Pavilion~The Blue Morpho Butterfly

 

The Butterfly Pavilion

 

The elusive blue butterfly was very difficult to capture on film.

Here a flit,

There a flit,

Every where a flit, flit,

Some little girls just have a flare, for butterflies in their hair.

Beautiful Blue Butterflies are hard to catch.

On film.

The Butterfly Pavillion~Tropical Flowers~Angel's Trumpets and Hibiscus Flowers

Stacie has been asking to go to the Butterfly Pavilion for quite some time.  She was supposed to go with her class for a school field trip.  Unfortunately the field trip got canceled due to bad weather. 

A trip to see the butterflies, turned out to be the perfect way to celebrate her birthday. 

The flowers were beautiful.

The butterflies were esquisite.

We also came home with a new pet. 

Any guesses as to what it might be?

The Denver Zoo ~ Giraffe and Parrots

We got a membership to the Denver Zoo,  so most likely you will see many pictures from our visits to the zoo this year.  I hope you enjoy our zoo shots as much as I do.