December 31, 2022

We Really Probably Shouldn’t…But We Did

We started out the day with still lots of snow on the ground and an even sicker dog. So we were sure that our New Years trip was off and that we were staying home.

We were all bummed about missing our trip but came to terms with it and had lots of house projects planned. Our biggest worry was actually that Humphry was sick and that we shouldn’t take him and that he could be really ill. We got some “samples” to the vet and waited to hear back on what to do to help Humphry. We heard back in the afternoon that Humphry just had a bacterial overgrowth that can be easily treaded with antibiotics and were given the green light to take Humphry with us from our vet.

We had accepted that we weren’t going so we weren’t properly preparing for our trip all morning, which meant that we were scrambling to get a very late departure. We packed, picked up Kermit in deep snow and got on the road.

And because we were supposed to be having dinner at our campsite, but left our house around 5 pm We fed our kids Burger King (parents of the year). It’s times like this that we probably should just throw in the towel but we have a hard time giving up an adventure.

We got to our site, which was amazing, after our bedtime and settled in for the night.

Do you ever say yes when you really should just say no?

November 14, 2022

Mueller State Park + An Unbirthday

After our trip to the North Pole we spent a little time playing in the campsite. Then we decided to get a little evening hike in before dinner.

On the way to the trailhead we saw a friendly deer.

It was a little chilly but not too bad.

We went on the nature trail and had a little pamphlet to tell us about the environment we were hiking in.

It’s fun to get out and hike in the snow.

Actually kind of looking forward to this winter.

The sunset in the mountains is gorgeous.

After our hike we ate inside our trailer, which we rarely do but it was in the 20s. We are happy to hike outside in below freezing but not just around in our campsite. This is when I am very thankful for our heater and warm bed with a down comforter.

In the morning we hiked to the highest point in the park.

The views were stunning.

The kids loved playing on the rocks at the top and would have stayed there all day but we needed to get out of our campsite and back home.

Both my brother and I have birthdays in September but we hadn’t yet been able to get together to celebrate. Some reasons were great, we were in France in early September and my brother and my parents were in Oregon for both our birthdays. By the time everyone was home then we were very sick, for weeks. Then my mom had a terrible accident, spent time in the hospital where my parents caught Covid and were sick for almost three weeks. Finally everyone is home and well (I am so so grateful that everyone is fine now) so my mom hosted an unbirthday party for my brother and I. It was so sweet and thoughtful! I wish I took pictures!

I did take a picture of this yeti mug my parents gave me and I LOVE it!

November 12, 2022

A Little Winter Camping

We have been home way more than we usually like so we decided we needed to run away and go camping for the weekend.

Cory worked a half day while the kids and I ran around getting packed and ready to go. It always surprises me that it takes almost as much time and effort to pack for a weekend then it does to pack for a week or two away.

Gingerbread girl coffee cup helped me get going!

Once we were all ready we drove down to Mueller State Park near Pikes Peak. It’s nice that they have camping open all year. We often like to “wild camp” without any amenities but this time of year it’s nice to have electrical hookups for our trailer.

We need the electricity for our tank heaters so things don’t freeze. The lows were in the teens overnight so it was also nice to be able to plug a heating pad.

Our trailer does have a gas heater so we do have heat off grid, which is essential for winter camping in my mind.

We enjoyed more inside time than we usually do while we are camping because the evening was so cold.

The kids made themselves at home (and made a mess) on the bed and hung up some Christmas lights since this trip kicks off the holiday season for us.

Our trailer is very small but we enjoy the closeness.

We had a few rounds of competitive Uno, it’s one of our current favorite games.

Do you ever camp in the fall/winter?

What are your favorite family games to play?

July 16, 2022

Kid Hike – Lost Lake

I woke up excited to get a run in because the unpaved road into our campsite had four tunnels.

It’s always fun to run somewhere new.

The weather was cool and perfect but running in the mountains is always humbling.

Since it’s Friday Cory had to work so we picked him up a coffee from our favorite coffee shop in Buena Vista then set off for adventure.

Humphry was with us as well and we were in search of wildflowers.

We decided on the Lost Lake trail near the top of Cottonwood Pass.

The hike was enchanting and reminded me of Austria.

There was some stream crossings, a mud bog and lots of mosquitos but it was worth it for the views.

We had lunch and enjoyed the views from Cottonwood Pass before a rainstorm blew in.

When we got down off the pass it was time to pack up Kermit and drive to Gunnison to our next campsite.

We love camping at Heartman Rocks. After a quick dinner we did a pre-bedtime hike. Summer bedtimes are an easily forgotten suggestion.

July 15, 2022

Camping Season + Too Hot

We had a busy day getting ready for a weekend camping trip in the mountains. Cannon started with a bike lesson from Cory and Emmy went for a scooter ride while I went for a run.

I LOVE summer mornings that are bright and only require shorts and a t-shirt. Although fall is my favorite running season.

We rounded out the morning with packing up our clothes and electronics. Then we spent a little time at a playground to get some more time outside and energy out.

We have a three hour drive to our campsite so it’s important to get some exercise. It was a bit hot so we didn’t

Then we stopped by the library to return a bunch of books and pick up some new movies for our trip.

Emmy picked out this Littlest Pet Shop movie, I made her trade it for a non Halloween one so we could save this for spooky season. It did make me smile because I used to love the Littlest pet shop toys when I was little. I will have to look online and see if they still sell them.

Our drive was uneventful and we arrived at our campsite in Buena Vista.

June 13, 2022

Camper Mornings + Pro-Playground

I always love waking up with Emmy in the camper!

I also love how much outside time we get while camping, outside immediately, breakfast in the fresh air, watching for trains across the river, it’s all good.

We had to pack up and head back to reality.

We did make time to stop at one of our favorite playgrounds in vail on the way home.

A friend recently said that she doesn’t like to go to playgrounds while traveling because they have them at home and seems like a waste of time. I get that but we love visiting new playgrounds when we travel.

Are you team travel playground or skip it?

June 12, 2022

Rifle Falls, John Denver + Raspberry Cake

We started our day with breakfast riverside.

Can’t beat the views of this campsite!

We decided to drive over the Rifle Falls State Park to enjoy the falls, caves and a little hike.

Luckily all the dogs are allowed on the hikes as well.

This is our third time visiting Rifle Falls and I love it every time, a great hike for kids and adults.

We went back to camp for lunch with my entire family.

My parents decided to stay in camp to relax and stay out of the 90+ degree heat. We took the kids and met my brother up in Aspen to visit the John Denver Gardens.

It was a nice visit but I do wish we could have stayed longer visiting, I love Aspen. I already asked for a visit to Aspen for my birthday this year.

We went back to camp to enjoy father’s day dinner and raspberry cake with my Dad.

Emmy approved of it all!

February 20, 2022

Weekend Trip – Lake Pueblo State Park

We are loving winter camping, getting out in nature makes everything better. We tend to camp in very different locations in the winter than the summer since the high country is way too snowy and cold for us this time of year. I do prefer summer camping in the mountains, but it is fun to see parts of the state we wouldn’t visit in the summer.