Ah, Wilderness!

Our fabulous adventure has come to an end and my God, it was an amazing opportunity.  We had such a blast with a little mild drama mixed in, just a typical family vacation!

So, Dunton is very hard to get to.  We flew into Denver then waited for a flight to Durango, which was delayed, then had a 2 hour drive to Dunton.  We got in around 2 am with the 2 hour time difference.  It was a little concerning when the driver turned onto a red dirt road and told us it was another 10 miles of switchback turns with no guardrails.  However, when we woke up the next morning and had a look around, it was worth it.  This place is gorgeous.  Way up in the mountains with log cabins dotted around.  The views are incredible and the food is to die for.

The first day of shooting were these fake saw horses that the kids got to sit on.  All the boys wore boots and spurs, the girls in cowboy hats.  Wyatt ran up with a carrot trying to feed this fake horse with a lampshade head.  Considering he got about 5 hours of sleep the night before, he did great.  But he most definitely had more fun running around with the kids then shooting pictures.  The next day was robots.  I told him to go fix the robot.  He grabbed a tool out of the spare parts bucket and got to work.  However, every time the photographer gave him direction he insisted that he was fixing the robot and refused to move from his spot.  He is 3 going on 80.  A little old man stuck in his ways.  And he is just so stubborn.  (Which is probably genetic.  I am not sure who is more stubborn, Terry or I.)  I was slightly embarrassed about his lack of cooperation but at the same time, I wasn't going to make him do something that he didn't want to.  This is suppose to be fun, for myself and him, and I will always strive for that no matter who I am upsetting.  So, I didn't force it which I think got the photographer (and company) a little upset with me.

The natural hot springs very relaxing despite some coaxing and hesitation.  Wyatt just couldn't seem to get past the red water and stone siding.  Plus the 106 degree heat.  I thought it was really exotic.  At the outdoor spring there was, what seemed to me, a run off/over flow stream.  So, while I soaked in the hot spring, Wyatt played contented in the hot stream.  We took a small hike to the frozen waterfall through the snow listening for wildlife.  Our cabin was a little hike from the Saloon area.  We hoofed it several times.  The first time, Wyatt insisted on piggybacking and when we got to the cabin I literally thought I was going to die.  I could barely catch my breath.  It was only later that I found out we were at 9,000 ft and it does funny things to your body.  And here I thought I was entirely out of shape.

A stock photo of our room.  The coyote was right there.

While Wyatt was napping one day and I was reading in bed, I caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye.  A coyote came down from the hills crossed the small frozen trout pond and started digging right outside our french doors. I jumped up, took a ton of pictures, then ran around our cabin trying to find someone to tell.  Of course, almost everyone was napping or with doors closed.  The coyote stayed for about 30 minutes.  When we got home Wyatt told the story over and over.  Funny cause he was sleeping.  A total indication that I talk way to much.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous.  This was the first time I have done anything like this, to this extend, with Wyatt by myself.  He has reached a somewhat challenging age.  He is amazing 90% of the time.  But there are times when he throws fits, or repeatedly tells me 'No', or refuses to listen, or it feels like I have said his name 12 times in the past 10 minutes.  Its totally normal toddler behavior but my patience levels are less then stellar.  6 days, no breaks, 4 planes, long car rides, altitude sickness, new food, best behavior.  Its a little intimidating.  I wasn't sure if I was going to make it without a fight.  Well, of course, we were going to Make it.  I just thought that maybe with one of Wyatt's meltdowns, I might have my own.  Just for good measure.  Stamp my feet a little.  But I didn't.  He didn't.  We didn't.  We survived and had a great time.  I am giving myself a well deserved pat on the back.