Our intention for the vacation was to rough it for the entire trip. We had packed the truck full of tents, air mattresses, campfire cooking utensils, and coolers upon coolers of food to cook over our open fire. As we arrived in Colorado, we began our drive up the 4-wheel drive trails to find our camping spot. The pictures or stories will not do this justice because it was absolutely terrifying for the majority of us in the vehicle to be driving up the 4-wheel drive trail and look over the edge to an unbarricaded cliff of doom. We did find comfort in the fact that Chad drove us up the mountain since he is the most careful and safe driver within a 284 mile radius of wherever we are located.
White Knucklin' It
We are smiling on the outside and trembling on the inside.
Our First Hike
"What is this? Probably a dead fish."
(Brock then smells it)
"Yep, it's a dead fish."
It was essential that we had protection from wild things.
Take a deep breath.
Setting Up Camp
The girls and I made our own bathroom in the woods:
Ready for the cool night ahead.
Evening Hike with Soph
There were a lot of horseshoe prints and...
Poo!
Such a monkey!
Because of the fire ban, for our second night, we found a condo to stay in. It was pretty incredible to see the wildlife in this sort of habitat.
Nothing beats hot coffee in the morning with a view of the mountains.
Pool Time!
Brock was itching to fish, so he created a fishing pole from a stick and attached some line and a hook. Unfortunately, he didn't have any luck.
This is how Sophie waits patiently:
Rocky Mountain National Park
Fern Lake Trail
Searching for Gold
Bear Lake
Everywhere you looked, Sophie was climbing and jumping on something. She was definitely in her element on this trip!
Feeling the water:
Strange little water creatures! We saw leeches, too!
Ella the Animal Whisperer
Chipmunk Chase
The rushing water of the mountains is the most peaceful sound. Pictures do not do this moment justice. I wish I could bottle the sound.
We made it to the snowy part of the mountain!
Trying to get pictures of the elk:
Elevation: 11,800 feet
It was cold up there!
Brock loved taking pictures...
...to the point of exhaustion.
Still white knucklin' it.
Lunch Break at Mary's Lake
Skipping Rocks
Pic with the Rub
Sill driving on cliffs!
The girls found some flowers to go in their hair:
And Dad's hair, too! Pretty, Daddy!
Climbing this rock became quite the challenge. It began with everyone getting to the top, and then it eventually turned into a contest to see who could run up the rock without help.
More Chipmunks!
Testing the Water Temperature
We made it to the pool!
Time to head back down! To make it interesting, we incorporated a little freestyle walking into the mix. Ella was the leaders, and she created hand signals for when we came upon areas of caution.
STOP!
GO!
POOP!
Random Pic
Brock's Homemade Frappe
Cold Water Challenge
