Fall = Soccer

Fall means soccer time so I headed back to Iowa and then Indiana to watch the grandsons play.

Saturday, Sept 9 Owen had two games at Prairie.  His team won both:  7 - 1 and then 4 - 0.  Owen scored several goals in each game.

Off to Wilson's Orchard after the games to pick apples and have donuts.

Landon had two games on Sunday in Cedar Rapids.  His team won both - a close, come from behind win over Iowa City 3-2 and an easier 7-0 win over Muscatine.

A Weekend in Indy
Don flew into Cedar Rapids for a few days in Iowa and then we were off to Indiana to see our three boys (and Brent & April) for the weekend.  It was a fun weekend of soccer (all three played a game on Saturday), pool time (so glad it was still hot enough for that), many games of Monopoly Jr, uno, and Rummikub, backyard football, and a trip to the apple orchard.  
 

Watching big brother and waiting for their games.

Great left-footed kick, Kasen

First year of soccer for 4 yo Cam

Way to go, Cade

Two afternoons of pool time!

Apple orchard time

Labor Day Weekend

Thursday afternoon we took off for Durango, CO for the Labor Day weekend.  It was a 5 1/2 hour drive and we checked in at the Fairfield Inn and took off for pizza.

Friday - Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Friday morning we took the Durango & Silverton narrow gauge steam railroad. This historic steam train ride to the unique mining town of Silverton.  The tracks run along steep mountain sides and climb into beautiful San Juan National Forest.  What a fun 3 1/2 hour trip from Durango to Silverton.  We were in the last car which afforded us views out the back or on the platform in front of our car.  Beautiful scenery and oh, so fun!   We had time for lunch in Silverton and to walk around a bit before returning on a bus via highway 550 to Durango. 

yummy BBQ lunch at Thee Pitt's Again

Saturday evening - Bar D Chuckwagon
Located under the red cliffs in the Animas Valley, a few miles north of Durango, the Bar D has been open every summer evening since 1969, offering a live stage show and chuckwagon supper.  The show starts after a delicious barbecue supper of which we chose a rib-eye steak with baked potato, baked beans, applesauce, biscuit and spice cake.  The Bar D Wranglers performed songs about the Old West.

Sunday - 1/2 day Jeep Tour

After the jeep tour we went downtown for lunch and enjoyed a delicious hamburger at Old Tymer's Cafe.  Sunday evening we had a pot roast three course meal at the Strater Hotel.  It is Durango's most prominent downtown landmark.  We enjoyed "Danny Boy" at the Strater Theater after dinner.