Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Colorado Part 3

We awoke Sunday to a gorgeous, warm Denver morning. It took us a bit longer to get out the door, but once we did we enjoyed a beautiful drive up to Mount Evans, a 14,000ft mountain about 2 hours from Denver. Now, when my Uncles said it was a "Fouteener", I guess I didn't truly grasp how high that really is. The timberline is 11,000 feet, so anything above that and there are no trees, just rocky tundra... and mountain goats! We entered the state park and proceeded up 14 miles of twisting, winding, nothing-will stop-you-from-falling-off-the-edge roads before reaching the top. We parked, explored and then hiked up the last 258 feet to the peak. Eli was proud to say he was the first to the top. The boys were in awe. The views were so incredible and the memory of being "mountain climbers" is forever with them. Hazel had fun as well, but she only napped for 20min in the car so she was a bit testy (or maybe it was the altitude?). We headed back to Denver and stopped to  have Colorado-style pizza. At home we once again relaxed by the pool and Uncle mark taught the boy all about his garden and all of the edible plants and flowers in it. 

A mountain goat family

Nearing the top

She napped the 14 miles up

High altitudes make babies sleepy

A mountain!

Seeing them for the first time

Before our hike

Silly faces at the top of Mount Evans- Elevation 14,130

Getting ready to hike

Temps were 40 degrees cooler up there

wassup?

A natural hiker

The tip top

Inches away from falling off the edge... all smiles!

We made it!

Sweet boy

The continental divide directly behind us- and our first picture of all 6 of us together

Wishing someone could carry me in a Baby Bjorn

Examining the slope below

Eli got a little nervous

The crew minus two

Getting so big

Swinging

Let's toss her over...

Enjoying the view and some sweet snuggles

14,258 feet- we did it!

Everyone- including a cranky Hazel

the descent

heading down again

Daddy conquers a mountain and a cranky girl

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