We're slowly recovering from post-vacation depression around here. We extended our stay a couple of days, but reality had to be faced sooner or later. We preferred 'later'. Also, there was the small matter of our cat to think of. He is royally ticked-off whenever we leave town. His caterwauling continues for days after our return. You know, just to make sure we realize we left him behind and understand how NOT happy he is about it.
The kids each attended day camp with their particular age group for a couple of days, but we staggered the schedule to provide a one-on-one day to hike and relax with them individually. I think that worked wonderfully. While they were each excited for day camp activities, they were pretty enthusiastic about a day with mom and dad all to themselves - and really that's not going to last from what I hear, so we're taking advantage of it now.
Day camp consisted of swimming, hot dog cook-outs, wall-climbing, horse-back riding and all sorts of mountain goodness. And kids came home tired. Yay!
We took advantage of opportunities in the afternoons and evenings to do a few unusual things. Listening to a Bluegrass band, watching Cars al fresco, origami lessons, tennis, mini gold, and a bird banding demonstration were a few of our adventures. Below, Miss S is holding a hummingbird that had just been banded. The little bird sat a few moments in her palm and then flitted away. She was pretty ecstatic about the whole experience.
We took things easy the first day, acclimating to the elevation, and climbed Alberta Falls with Bubs
and Miss S.
On our day with the girl, we hiked Cub Lake. She was a trooper and hung in there all 6 miles. And she would like anyone to whom she has not already mentioned it to know she hiked 6 miles. Got that? Six miles. Six point zero miles.
Cub lake was covered with lilies. The sweet momma duck came up with her ducklings on the rock where we lunched and they all settled in for naps in the sun there right next to us.
Wonderboy fit in a few climbing excursions. On bolle!
Plaid Fanny. Ha! Preppy meets outdoor adventure, I guess.
When we had Wonderboy to ourselves, E had a fly-fishing excursion arranged, so the boy and I hiked Loch Vale and Mills Lake. We were exhausted - 8 miles and huge elevation climbs - but dang was it worth it. Lock Vale in particular was probably the most beautiful place I've ever been. Breathtakingly beautiful. We passed a guy 'trail-running' this particular hike. I made the universal sign for crazy as he went by. I don't think he minded. The thin air up there does things to people.
Lock Vale
Our last big hike was to Bear, Nymph, Emerald and Dream Lakes. Perennial favorites of ours. And we get up into the snow so that always makes the kids giddy. Because, you know, we don't have enough snow in Chicago.
Monkeys.
Proud of their catches.
The Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is a 'must' for us when we're in Estes. We plan our visit to coincide with the Festival weekend. And we leave about five pounds heavier due to tasting too must of Denmark. Good thing we hiked all those miles. Things balance out somehow. And really, how often do you watch grown men in knickers dance around the Maypole? It doesn't happen a lot around our neck of the woods. We drive a thousand miles to see it happen.
The end.
1 comment:
Very fun and beautiful trip. Props on the take each kid one at a time. I'm sure they will never forget their day. We always talk about going back there, but we never seem to fit it in. I will be demanding it now. It really is a lovely place, and the festival looks awesome.
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