Summer Vacation Day 1

We are finally leaving for our much anticipated family vacation. The date was moved three times! In the end we decided to go on a business trip with Ter to Denver, Colorado since NCARB would pay for gas, lodging and food. We would then head to Rapid City, SD where we'd go to Mt. Rushmore. The kids decided this is where they wanted to go after seeing National Treasure and the Book of Secrets. I thought this sounded like a great idea, seeing as neither Ter or myself have seen this famous destination.
Not to much happened on the first day as it took 8 hours to get to where we were going. Denver or bust!

The great part about traveling with Ter is that we get to stay in places we'd never be able to afford. Our first 3 days were spent at the Hotel Monaco! We thought we'd give you a tour of the room. These beds were very comfortable! You'll see later on what we could afford. The beds in affordable hotels feel like you're sleeping on a slab of plywood. The kids have to take turns sleeping on the floor.

The armoir houses the refrig and the wet bar. Love the full length mirror to the left.

Spencer checking out the desk area.

Ter making sure the beds were comfy and finding someplace for dinner.

Note to self-don't ever ask the concierge where to go to dinner. It's always way out of our price range. Even if someone else is picking up part of the tab.

A sea food place was recommended, by the concierge, just a few blocks from the hotel. We passed by a window and saw this cake on displayed. It looked to cute to eat! So I took a picture.

When we got to the restaurant and saw the manager dressed in a very nice black suit, I knew we were in trouble. The atmosphere was great, the food fabulous, the fresh water lobster tank very entertaining and the fact that the ladies room didn't have paper towels but actual hand towels for each person who visited all meant we were going to break the bank. So, $200 later we left very full. NCARB only picked up $70. Chalk it up as a learning experience. It's always better to find your own place to eat, and look at the menu before you sit down.

Brevin and Megan would not touch the lobster!

Megan modeling the lovely cloth hand towels. We must have used the ladies room three times to make sure the towels were real. I forgot to take a picture of the individual cups and mouth wash also available.