The Great Outdoors

Over the weekend we took a quick trip to Colorado. We met Eric's parents in Glenwood Springs and on Saturday we hiked up to Hanging Lake. It was beautiful. It was absolutely amazing. It was also the hardest 1.25 mile hike I've ever been on (and I've gone on quite a few hikes in my time). During this mile and a quarter hike we gained 1,000 feet in elevation. The whole time we were climbing over rocks etc. And any time we stopped to rest (which we did several times!!) Emma would chastise us from her comfy seat in the backpack. I'm going to have to explain to her that when we're on a hike that requires her to ride in the backpack, she needs to be more patient. And if that logic doesn't work, I'll tell her that mommy is old! Hanging Lake is well worth the hike. And if I can say that, you can trust that it's true. The setting is very picturesque. Emma loved it up there. You can go up a little further and see what is called Spouting Rock, which is a hole that lets the water spout out (hence the name). This time of year though, there is a lot of water which doesn't all fit through the hole, so it was also gushing over the top of the rock. Emma enjoyed the boardwalk around the lake and liked looking at fish with Grandma. She also made a new friend - a very friendly white butterfly that kept landing on her hand.

That afternoon we went up to the Fairy Caves on top of Iron Mountain. It was nice and cool inside the caves, and they were pretty. Eric loves caves, so it doesn't really matter to him what's inside - he just wants to go. There were some longer more adventurous tours you could take in this cave that had Eric practically drooling at the sound of them. I of course am slightly claustrophobic, so crawling and sliding through miniscule and practically non-existent crevices in a dark cave is not my idea of fun. Eric and his dad also rode on the alpine roller coaster they had up there. It’s like an alpine slide, but on tracks, so it’s smoother, faster, and apparently a lot more fun too. After a nice (and much needed) dinner, Emma was tired, so I went back to our room with her while everyone else went to the hot springs and soaked in the giant hot tub.

The next morning we went up to Aspen. I had never been there. That was always the elusive trip my family was going to take that never worked out. We always ended up going someplace else (which was probably more fun for kids anyways, so don’t feel guilty dad!!). Aspen was really pretty. It has a very quaint feel to the town. We drove up to Independence Pass, of course stopping for pictures on the way (and so Eric could stand in near freezing water - for some reason he loves that), and stopping at the Ghost town of Independence. Emma didn’t quite understand the concept of a ghost town… she wanted to see a witch too.

It was a short but fun trip. Emma hit the jackpot and got some clothes and books from Grandma (thanks again!). Luckily Eric had today off, so he can rest up before going back to work tomorrow. Maybe I’ll sneak a nap in today too! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Meadows for a great weekend. We miss you already.