Fancy Like

Manicures, before 7th grade.

 

Skaket Beach

I insisted that we make a trip to Skaket Beach today, since we had such an amazing visit when we were here two years ago.  We didn't quite factor in how early the tide would role in -- what a difference nearly 2 months makes.  We still had a good time, but it was very crowded, and we didn't have the low tide experience that we did last time.  Live and learn.

 

Sleeping Beauty

I think she sleeps best while camping.  💓

 

Cape Cod Rail Trail

Today we logged a whole bunch of miles (15+) biking the Cape Cod Rail Trail from our campground to Eastham.  We packed lunches, and found a nice quiet spot -- only accessible to residents and people on bikes  -- for our picnic lunch.  Fantastic weekend thus far!  Love Cape Camping!

 

Nickerson State Park Camping Trip

Excited to get back to some camping now that summer swim is over.  We're at Nickerson State Park on the Cape this weekend.  So far, so good!

 

Making New Friends

With tiny froggies at the the pool.  Look close, Leilani is the animal whisperer!  💚

 

WST Boy Crew+

The WST 8th grade boy crew plus a couple guest visitors for the day.  Is summer really almost over??😥

 

Back to School Shopping

Yup -- those are NEW jeans.  Not old ratty one.  I guess this is just a glimpse of what the teen years will be like......

We don't go to the mall very often -- especially now with COVID -- but we stumbled upon what we think is a new smoothie place.  It's was really good!

 

Second Dose

She'll be considered fully protected in 2 more weeks!  Yay!!

 

What Air Travel is Like in 2021

I think the kids were better equipped to deal the extended mask wearing than we were.... Better safe than sorry.

 

Estes Park - Last Day :-(

Today is our last day of vacation before heading back home.  We spent some time in the downtown area of Estes Park where we've been staying.

There was a sweet little sensory park that Kelly and I stumbled upon a few days ago that we knew the kids would love.

Girls who love to shop!

And what's one more ice cream cone.  We ARE on vacation, after all.  This particular place was recommended by Bree's 5th grade teacher.  It's known for its square ice cream and saddle bar stools.  

 

Elevatation

I've done a few breath sucking runs while we've been out here in Colorado.  This was my second with my lovely (and super fit!) sister-in-law, Kelly, and our first with Aiden.  I feel like the elevation didn't affect him as much as it affected us old ladies.  LOL! Way to go team!

 

Gem Lake

Gem Lake did not disappoint!  This was the perfect end to our hiking days in Colorado.  This was a less traveled trail, leading to a breathtaking lake.

These little buggers were NOT shy about trying to steal our lunches.  Super aggressive! 😳

Met and my pretty girl. 💙

3 generations of Gouldson boys. 

 

Trail Ridge Road & Grand Lake

Today we spent the day driving up and around the Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake.

As we neared the outskirts to Grand Lake we witnessed the devastation from last October's wildfires.  I overheard a ranger say that 30,000 acres burned in the National Park alone, and a total of something like 400,000 acres. Really sad.

This sign pretty much sums up our visit to Grand Lake.  We had no idea when we set out on this lengthy excursion today that just about ALL of the stores in restaurants in Grand Lake are closed on Mondays.  What?!?!  There wasn't a heck of a lot to do, and the weather crapped out just as we arrived.  So much for our beach day (although Grand Lake wasn't quite as grand or as beachy as we were expecting it to be anyway....)

Our drive back to the hotel in the evening made up for the less than stellar day in Grand Lake.  We stopped so many times to see the amazing wildlife.

Here's a momma elk feeding her baby.  💞

 

Braids

 

Copeland Falls & Calypso Cascades

We're learning to prepare for wet weather in the afternoons around here.  We had a dry hike up to Copeland Falls and Calypso Cacades, but the rain and thunderstorms decided to move in for the entire duration of our decent.  It was worth getting wet, though!

 

Twinsies

Cousins out on the town in their matching tie dyed.  

 

Sprague Lake

We picnicked at Sprague Lake this afternoon, followed by a ~3 mile hike on a seemingly unnamed trail off of the loop that goes around the lake.  The trail turned out to be a bit of a dud.  We named it Horse Poop Loop, as we had to dodge So. Much. Horse. Poop.  Yuck!

Later in the day, after the crowds had diminished, we went up to do the short easy loop around Bear Lake.  

 

Colorado Day #2

Alluvial Fan was the highlight today.  Spent a lot of time climbing the falls - and Aiden spent a lot of time jumping from rock to rock and giving me heart attacks.  He's in heaven out here.

We drove the unpaved, one way, narrow, twisty, turny Old Fall River Road at the end of the day.  It was harrowing at times, but the views were nothing short of breathtaking.  

I like to think I'm fairly in shape, but the elevation in Colorado is no joke.  We hiked up the Alpine Ridge Trail towards the end of the day.  It was short, but it literally sucked the air out of my lungs.  And it was FREEZING at the top!