Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Bright and early, we were on the road today.  Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado was only about 1.5 hours away from our condo, so we decided to go as a group to experience the thrill rides and cave tours.  As it turned out, Sunday (today) was the final day for all the rides to be open, before the winter season kicks in and they drop it down to only 4 main attractions, so we had to go before they closed.

We had arranged for a homeschool discount, dropping the ticket price from $48/person to $28/person for all activities, so we took advantage of the discount and went as a group of 3 families.  It was a fun time and we are definitely happy we took the time to check it out!

The scenery through Glenwood Canyon alone was worth the trip.  The highway was busy and had no pull offs, so I didn't get any photos, but Everett commented "I could look at these mountains every day!", so you can only imagine, if it impressed him, it was pretty impressive!

I found this video to show the drive if you are interested.  Youtube video through Glenwood Canyon

When we arrived at the Adventure Park we first had to take a tram ride to the top of the mountain where the thrill park was located.  The boys had fun during the 4,300-foot-long, 7 minute tram ride and couldn't wait to see what came next!

Ethan, Elliot, and Everett going up, up and away!

The cars had glass all the way around for amazing views!

 Once at the top, we posed for a few photos then headed off to ride the rides!  Ethan was tall enough to ride almost everything, but Everett and Elliot will have to come back sometime when they are taller to ride the rest of the rides they had to sit out on.

Rick and Corley getting ready to ride the Alpine Coaster

Getting all buckled in for the Alpine Coaster experience!

Miranda and Emery getting ready to ride.

Derrick and Everett, ready for the Alpine Coaster!

And they're off!

Matt and Ethan, ready to ride!

Buckled and ready to go!

Derrick and Everett, finished and ready for more!

Ethan says "It was so fast Mom!"

Derrick and Ethan were excited to try the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride

Everett and I got to go too!

Ready, set...

Going backwards was pretty crazy! 

Up, up to the top!

After a few rides, we all decided to take the Fairy Cave tour.  

Ethan enjoyed looking around at all the cool structures.

The tour popped outside at the overlook for a moment for us to grab a few photos.

Notice the metal structure on the right.  It is the Giant Canyon Swing.
Ethan and Derrick were brave enough to ride it!

The Giant Swing was a pretty intimidating ride.

Ethan was excited he was tall enough to ride it!  This kid is fearless when it comes to adventure rides!

Right away you could see the excitement!

Being suspended over the canyon was pretty intense!

Out of all the rides, this was by far a favorite!

The adventure park also had a 4D theater, with moving seats, and three different short movies to watch.
Elliot was excited to sit in his own seat.

Silly Everett, was just ready to get the show started!

The first movie we watched (The Bamboo Express) involved a bamboo roller-coaster, butterflies, spraying water, and angry monkey's tossing bananas at us.  Elliot did okay through the first few minutes, then lost it and started crying as soon as the angry monkey's were on the screen.  I snuggled him close and he calmed down, but he was not impressed, although he did want to do the other movies later on and again cried toward the end, but made it through.

Everett and Elliot were bummed they weren't tall enough to ride the tree swing ride.

Ethan and I checked it out.

It was fun (and a bit freaky) to fly around the side of the mountain.

Ethan and Derrick checked out the main coaster at the park.

It was jerky, rough and pulled lots of turns and left the kids hiding in the laps of the adults... but that didn't stop them
from going on it again!

Ethan and Corley took their turns at the Climbing Wall

Ethan made it all the way to the top!  Twice!

They even had a harness small enough for Everett.  He did a great job!

Overall, we had a great day and the lines were low enough to allow us to do most of the rides multiple times.  Everett and Elliot even were able to ride a mini coaster that they enjoyed over and over (until Mom and Dad were dizzy).  On the first hill of the mini coaster Elliot wasn't so sure he wanted to be on the ride and started to cry a little, then he asked me if I could hold his hand.  I pulled him tighter to me and held his hand and he was okay for the rest of the ride.

We had fun and were glad to spend the day with friends!  It was a fun trip!