Easter in the Mountains

This weekend, for Jason's birthday/Easter we took a trip to Estes Park, CO. After the 2.5 hour drive and picnic lunch at the welcome center on the Big Thompson river, we hit Rocky Mtn. National Park. We hiked cub lake trail, though we didn't make it to the lake. Jason spotted a ground squirrel on the rocks, the first of many that we saw over the weekend.
























 Fire had recently burned the area surrounding the trail. It smelled like ash and the evidence of the fire was so fresh. Quite an experience. On our way out of the park we encountered a herd of Elk grazing on the Moraine. Then we went out for pizza at Poppy's (encountering more Elk grazing in town) and checked into our cabin at the YMCA.
Saturday morning, after a quick breakfast in the cabin, we went out to hike Bear lake.

 The lake was totally frozen and we hiked on about 40 inches of snow pile. Awesome views and such a cool place.









Then we went back to the cabin for lunch. After lunchtime we checked out the horses on campus, played on the playground and swam in the pool.  Then we all napped before dinner at the Twin Owls Steakhouse.

After dinner, it was time for cake! In honor of the Easter weekend, Jason got a bunny cake for his birthday, which the kids loved.









Sunday Morning we all woke up early, the kids got their Easter baskets while I baked Blueberry muffins to go with hard-boiled eggs for breakfast. We attended Rocky Mountain Church for Resurrection services. The worship was great, the congregation was such a tight knit community, by the end of the service, I felt like I knew these people my whole life. I didn't hear as much of the sermon as I would have liked due to the kids being in service with us, and I made a bathroom trip with Ana, however, it was a good time. Then we took a scenic drive through the National park, hoping to see some Big Horn sheep (we didn't). We stopped by the gift shop and recycled our park map. It was hard to see the weekend come to a close. As we drove up to our cabin we were greeted with a bunny and a herd of Mule Deer. The kids loved seeing the animals so close. After lunch at the cabin, we swung by the stables one more time to see the horses before checking out and driving home. It was a beautiful weekend. I hope the kids remember some of it.



 







 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

No other gods

Exodus 20:2-3 I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. As much as idolatry is pooh-poohed  and I really know better, I still struggle to keep my adoration on Christ. I realized this week that there are certain people on earth that I idolize, put on pedestals and look at as "super". I do this with Navy Seals, and Olympians (and let's not forget Olympians who used to be Navy seals!). Anyway, the news this week about Oscar Pistorius really shook me up. I have been so inspired by his story and his determination and physical prowess. I have put him up on a "superhuman" pedestal and now I am shattered. This has made me realize that Jesus Christ is the only "superman" (thank you Cadet for pointing that out so eloquently 12 years ago) and that no human can stand up to any perfection on their own. Yes, we can achieve physical prowess, super intelligence, we ca...
Read more

Catoctin Mountain Park, Thurmont MD

Image
I'm back, after a long break. I wanted to share this awesome park with you. Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, Maryland. Located right off of Route 15 this park is just down the Highway from Gettysburg and is worth the trip! The park offers hiking for various skill levels and is free admission. The kids had a lovely time creek walking along the Blue Blazes Whiskey Still trail, which is accessible from the visitor center parking lot. They were all able to become junior rangers as well. The visitor center has a history and nature display. I've never seen a beaver that close, even if it was stuffed, it was cool!  Catoctin Mountain park borders Cunningham falls state park . Cunningham falls state park charges a small fee for parking, but has great hiking,- yes to a waterfall- a playground/picnic area by the lake; it is really lovely.  Before I end this post, I must share a picture book recommendation.  We enjoyed The Wild Woods, by Simon James this week. This sto...
Read more

Lewis and Clark

Image
" Of courage undaunted, possessing a firmness of purpose which nothing but impossibilities could divert from its direction " Thomas Jefferson of Merriweather Lewis This summer the kids and I have studied the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It began with our being half-way through the book on the Louisiana purchase on the last day of school. Our interest was peaked and I hated to skip the books about Lewis and Clark that we did not have time to read during last school year, so... The book about the Louisiana Purchase is titled: What's the Deal Jefferson and Napoleon and the Louisiana Purchase , by Rhoda Blumberg. I would classify this book as a textbook. We read it in small portions each day. Then we read a few chapter books about Lewis and Clark and some of the other characters in the Corps of Discovery, namely, Seaman, Meriweather Lewis' Newfoundland dog. Patricia Reader Eubank's book, Seaman's Journal: On the Trail with Lewis and Clark is a beautifully...
Read more