Alpine Coasters and Fairy Caves

During our Colorado Vacation we headed west to Glenwood Caverns and Adventure Park. Just before we left for our overseas jaunt this little park started up and has been adding stuff over the years. At first it was just the caves at the top of the mountain, then they add a gondola ride up to the caves, and now there's a whole theme park (western themed of course) so you can spend the entire day wandering about doing fun things.


We went the actual day FFM turned 3 which meant he was eligible for a lot more of the rides, including everyone's favorite, the alpine coaster! We rode it so many times that the guides stopped giving us instructions on how to do it, they just recognized FFM and waved us on through. The coaster started at the top of the mountain and whizzed down in twists and turns, all while attached to the track. Then when you got to the bottom of the track a belt on the track pulled you back up. The cars have brakes so you can control your speed, and the first run I took FFM and we started out a bit mellow. After shouts of 'FASTER MOMMA FASTER!' I just let 'er rip and we hooped and hollered all the way down the track.

Next up, the bungee trampoline. All of the jumping, falling, up and down 'rides' are strategically placed where you get great views down the mountain into the valley so you feel like you are jumping very high, falling way down, etc.

The cave tour was fun, too, although we ended up aborting mission right before the very end because a potty break was needed for Mr. Man. Travis went ahead and finished it off and says that we didn't miss too much.

While we were waiting for Travis to catch up, we panned for 'treasure'. Kids get buckets full of sand and as they sift it out in the water shiny rocks appear (real rocks, sort of like the ones you buy by the bagful at gift shops everywhere out here). Big hit for us. There was even a maze, finish within a time window, get a prize! I think we sort of cheated since Travis could see over the dividers...but we'll let FFM lead next time.
This is the insane swing my darling husband did. The whole time all I thought was, I sure hope someone checks the screws that hold that thing together every single day. Travis was on the side that looks DOWN the mountain, so you look ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE RIVER and he said it was freaky. Mr Iron Stomach was a bit wobbly kneed when he got off.
If you live in Colorado or come to Colorado you've got to visit this place, I was SO surprised at how much fun it was. They're open year round but the rides only run seasonally. They showed photos of the alpine coaster running in the snow, but I bet it's only if there's a little snow. There were plenty of rides to keep us busy all day, and if you had younger kids there are a few things for them, too.

Now, if we can just figure out how to get an alpine coaster into our back yard, do you think our neighbors would mind? Probably not if we let them ride it...