Thomas Lakes

The boys were very jealous that I had gone to touch Mt. Sopris without them. So, on Saturday, after Reece's soccer game, we went for another hike. It was long and even slightly painful hike... it seemed rougher my second time around... but oh, so worth it! They were so proud of themselves for surviving this tough hike, and actually saying they touched the base of Sopris.

Getting closer...

Here are some changing aspen.... just one bunch. I've learned that aspen can spawn from other aspen roots. They can even lay dormant for a while before they spawn. They are the perfect tree when a fire hits, because they will be the first vegetation to grow. If a patch of aspen is changing colors they are all "related" or share the same roots.

This just doesn't look like it belongs in the mountains!! Love the clear blue water!

Victory!! If only we had the time and equipment for another 4 mile hike to summit Mt. Sopris.

My proud son... finally meeting Sopris!

Reece is much more excited than he leaves you to believe... he just doesn't like to smile with his teeth. 

It was a good day for the boys... but it was even better to get back down after 10 miles of hiking! 

***

I must share that Reece did score his first Colorado goal yesterday. Sadly, I was a line judge and couldn't cheer or take pictures. What are the chances??? It was a great day, anyway!
***
The boys and I talked about how great it is that we get more family time out here. Jake has a better job with better hours... more family friendly hours... and it just allows us to be together as a family and make more memories. It's truly been great! We greatly miss our extended family, but this move has been a positive move for us in our family of four!

#Homesick

Usually this time of year, I'm running on fumes... I'd be working my Monday through Friday job, and hustling down to Wichita to work for my sister for Halloween through Christmas. Well, on Friday they had the opening night at The Field of Screams and I was a little sad we weren't there. Even Riley was sad he couldn't go through the field and Reece wanted to shoot paintballs at zombies. We I decided forced the boys to put on their FOS shirts to show our love! Miss you all and miss the field!! 

Here's to a great 10th year!!

Day In Aspen

More like a stormy day in Aspen. Jake and I get every other Wednesday off together...just another perk to our new jobs out here in CO. It couldn't have worked out better. I wanted to show him the Maroon Bells in Aspen...Our plans were to do the Crater Lake Trail, but the weather turned on us, and we didn't feel truly prepared for a rainy hike. We saw freezing rain and very hot sun all in a couple hours... but it was still incredibly beautiful!

The sun slowly trying to come out...

I see blue sky! Gorgeous!

I was sad the aspen trees were still so green... it's been a very wet summer, so they might change late, which I hear can affect the tourism around here.

On our way down the mountain, I had to snap a pic of this cool, old church. I tried getting a closer shot, but someone was trailing us.

Can't wait for our next Wednesday off together!

Health Fair

Valley View Hospital had a free Health and Safety Fair this past weekend. The boys and I went for a bit... and the big bonus was they got FREE bicycle helmets!! They also got to put out a fire with an extinguisher, check out a fire truck, and Reece sat in a "seat belt convincer" simulator... he got to feel what it was like to be in a 30 mph crash to see why the seatbelt is so important. 

I've also just learned about the amazing neurosurgical team Glenwood Springs has. What a relief! Jake's neurosurgeon left KUMed this past year, and we were stressing about starting with someone new, but it sounds like we will be taken care of here. What a blessing!!

Elevation

Since living here, I've seen my very first shooting star and now I've seen an amazing rainbow, where I could see each and every color! (Iphone camera couldn't quite catch that magic..) It was so cool!! Can't wait to see more!

The Crown Trail

Michelle and I went hiking again... The Crown Trail. Some amazing pictures.... I think the clouds add to the beauty. I'm dreading winter, because it will limit this activity!

It almost looks fake... but this is my new favorite shot! Sometimes the Iphone camera can do magical things!

Mt. Sopris just had the clouds converging on it... pretty normal, but right here is almost looks volcanic!  

(Boy) Scout Trail

Have a mentioned that I LOVE the great outdoors here?? (Ask me again in winter...I may sing to a different tune at that time.) There are so many trails to hike and gorgeous scenes to view. This time was the (Boy) Scout Trail... it took us on the opposite side of Glenwood that the Red Mountain Trail did.... it was amazing seeing the city from the other side and knowing we were on top of the mountain just across the way a couple weeks ago. Someone told me that the novelty of beautiful mountains wears off eventually... I sure hope they are wrong.

3 mile hike ahead.

I spy the adventure park on top of that mountain... the boys wished a bridge was there to lead us that way instead of up the mountain we were on. The Giant Canyon Swing and Cliffhanger Roller Coaster are visible here.

We are living in a condo, so we found our "Charlie Brown" Christmas Tree .... it stands about 1.5 feet tall. ;)

Reece has started a new collection... proof of the Cretaceous Period. 

Wasn't expecting this!
A: We are pretty high up the mountain at this point.
B: The trail was pretty narrow, with no roads in sight.
C: Strange and mysterious.
I bet there is a good story to this... it has bullet holes in it, the seat is nothing but wire and there is a very old sleeping bag inside. But this old Chevy was a great photo op!

The Red Mountain Trail is on that mountain on the left... Glenwood Springs is right in between.

I spy the famous Hot Springs pool... we haven't visited yet. We need to soon... maybe when the temps get a bit cooler.

This tree is wickedly awesome! Dead and all...

The ol' Colorado River was very "chocolatey" on this day... but its a great view of Glenwood!