This trip was exciting. First, it was LJ's first time on a horse. Of course, he had to ride with an adult, and lucky me, I got the honor. ;) Actually it was fun, just a little hard on the lap/hips by the end of the hour long, through-the-mountains ride.
On our sweet horse, getting ready to ride.
The REAL excitement was the JW was old enough to ride all by himself. He was beside himself with excitement. He did great and had the sweetest (and rather small) horse.
I want to be a cowboy.
JW received a certificate for his first "solo" ride. LJ had to have one too, because, ya know, brother got one.
More horse pictures. This is a short 2 minute ride at the Flying J Ranch. Easy peasy after his solo ride.
LJ had fun riding by himself this time. Even if only for a couple of minutes.
One of our favorite stops, Capitan, the home of Smokey Bear. Papa helped with puzzles and coloring pictures inside Smokey's museum.
Only YOU can prevent wild fires!
Sweet boys.
Standing in front of the Valley of Fires in Carrizozo. This is a huge stretch of lava from a volcano that erupted thousands of years ago.
JW and I laughed b/c it looks like we are standing in front of a giant pile of you-know-what, but nope, that's just a HUGE mound of lava.
Hee-hee. One day, they'll LOVE that we did this. :) LJ cried through most of it, but we got a couple of cute pictures.
We took pictures and ate lunch in Cloudcroft. At over 9,000 ft elevation, one can get a little light-headed up here. But it's beautiful and the town is so quaint, it is worth the drive and dizziness!
We visited lots of other place again - historic Lincoln (with the BEST meal at a historical home owned by Murphy's partner, Dolan), Funtrackers (b/c putt-putt and go-carting in the mountains is just cool), and more. As always, it was fun for all and I know my boys will be asking when we will get to go back to the mountains with Ghee & Papa!
