The Everyday Adventures of Two Irish Boys and a Princess: Yampa Valley Botanical Park

Our second evening in Steamboat the boys and I hiked to the botanical gardens. It was an evening in which Dan had an evening training and would be home late....so we had the evening to explore. I had read about the gardens in several magazines and was pleased to find out it was just behind our hotel. With no car for travel, and two boys who had napped well, we set off to find them. We hiked for about an hour and came to the edge of some soccer fields. Slightly nervous that the last mile was in vain, we followed a small little path with some trees. I was pleased to find the 'official' sign at the end of the trail.

While the heat of the summer had taken it's toll on the gardens, evidences of it's beauty were everywhere. It was breath taking alone in mid September, so I can only imagine it in all of it's glory in Spring. (Note to self for our next trip).

The boys had fun following the various paths throughout the gardens, and exploring the ponds, creeks, and bridges. Such a place of tranquility - for two boys to devour with their running, screaming and laughing. It was wonderful to just sit there and watch them explore without a care in the world. The weather was perfect, the sun was setting....the only thing missing was Daddy. While I thought about bringing him back another evening, it never worked out....and I'm not sure it would've captured the magic of that first evening we discovered the gardens. I couldn't help but think back to the Garden of Eden - the beauty, tranquility, peace, and splendor. Of God, watching His children explore the new world, and everything that it held. What a beautiful glimpse into heaven that was.

This little creek were the boys were playing was beautiful. I could've stayed there all night and taken pictures of my boys. The sun was setting, and they were so engrossed in this little creek. It was spectacular!