We have had an absolutely epic adventure. We went into this vacation thinking it would either be the only week long normal American family vacation we would take or it would be the first of many. The latter is definitely the case!!! What a ball we've had. One more day to go. Highlights from today:
Our goal of knocking out as many RMNP patches (there are little sew on patches for every trail and many of the peaks in the park) in one morning. 4+ miles and a few thousand vertical feet up and down later, we can proudly say that the kids earned 5 trail or lake patches today. The day was perfect for hiking and we took advantage, as did approx. 1,000 other people at every turn. Starting at 9:45, we hiked up to Alberta Falls
Then up to Bear Lake
Then up more to Nymph Lake for a quick trailside lunch
Then up MORE to Dream Lake, which is guarded by Hallet Peak, and some well fed chipmunks!
We considered another 1/2 mile to Emerald Lake, but little legs and bodies let us know it was time to head down. We went back to the Y and played some mini golf, and swam, then into town for dinner. After some shopping, it was up to Sprague Lake for a short lake side hike and some fly fishing.
We took one last quick spin through the park to see if we could see any of the bigger animal life (the ONLY disappointment of the trip was the lack of anything bigger than mule deer during most of our time in), then back to the camp to pack and get to bed. We have had the time of our lives here...The kids are mountain goats when it comes to the rocks; Kari has led the hikes up the hill and overcome (slightly) her fear of large carnivorous mammals, and I am truly relaxed. This is what vacation really should be - rest, good food, play with the kids, lots of good beer, and miles under my feet on the trails. I could not have asked for a better trip heading into the school year.
We took one last quick spin through the park to see if we could see any of the bigger animal life (the ONLY disappointment of the trip was the lack of anything bigger than mule deer during most of our time in), then back to the camp to pack and get to bed. We have had the time of our lives here...The kids are mountain goats when it comes to the rocks; Kari has led the hikes up the hill and overcome (slightly) her fear of large carnivorous mammals, and I am truly relaxed. This is what vacation really should be - rest, good food, play with the kids, lots of good beer, and miles under my feet on the trails. I could not have asked for a better trip heading into the school year.
Tomorrow it is up, a quick breakfast, load the van (can't have stuff out there because of the bear activity at camp), a 9 am date at Coffee on the Rocks for a fly fishing lesson for the kids (my heart is SO PROUD!), and then to Ft. Collins via Big Thomson Canyon for the Budweiser Brew tour around noon. We figured we should end our Colorado time the way it began...then onward to Kearney for an overnight, hoping to arrive in DSM Wed. evening sometime. More pics tomorrow!
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