Phoenix Mines

Cassidy and Parker inside the mine sporting hard hats

Parker rubbing the lucky bucket (If our trip home is any indication of our luck, then apparently the lucky bucket didn't work for us!)

Parker and Grandpa Ellis panning for gold

Showing off all the gold that I found... :)

Monday, we drove up to Idaho Springs to go to the Phoenix Mines. It was actually pretty interesting, and the people working there were especially entertaining. I think Cassidy put it well when he stated that the workers were what would come to mind if you were to think of a Disney movie portraying miners. I really can't explain any further than that, but they definitely helped to complete the whole experience. After the tour of the mine, we went panning for gold. Parker's job, which he was very successful at, was to pick out the big rocks from the pan and throw them back into the stream. Needless to say, he loved it. We completed the day by stopping at a shop with homemade gelato and chocolates, (even the marshmallows in my rocky road were homemade), going on a 9-mile bike ride around the lake(to burn off the calories from the candy shop), going for a swim in the pool, and having a Wii bowling tournament. What a great day!