A Hiking We Will Go!

Thursday was hiking day! We planned a trip up to the Rocky Mountain National Park to hike to Alberta Falls.

Early that morning, I couldn't resist taking a picture of our little bed bugs. Liz and I shared the king size bed and our boys always ended up in bed with us before the night was over. As you can see, neither Ian nor Aiden found covers necessary. It was kind of funny since both Liz and I did!

We started off the morning in the best way possible - with a trip to The Pancake House! That place is absolutely amazing. They give a free dutch apple pancake (it's huge!) to every party of 8 or more. Going there has become a tradition when we visit Grandma Cookie and Grandpa Grape.

Normally I get pancakes, but I decided to try the western omelet this time (and then found out it comes with pancakes anyways!). It was huge!

Misty was waiting patiently for us when we got home.

Before we left on our hike, Auntie Liz and Uncle Russell found some beautiful roses in Grandma Cookie and Grandpa Grape's garden.

Early that afternoon, we headed up the mountain! I absolutely love seeing the running water next to the road on the drive up.

Aaahhh...more of the babbling brook! So peaceful!

Fantastic mountain view! It really doesn't get any better than this!

Our first stop was at Bear Lake. James and I had been there a few years ago with Grandma and Grandpa, so it was nice to be able to bring Ian back to the same place.

Walking from the shuttle drop off to Bear Lake (it wasn't very far at all). Ian wore his little monkey backpack with a tail that I could hold to keep up with him.

Checking out the crystal clear waters at Bear Lake.

After looking our fill at Bear Lake, we headed the other direction towards Alberta Falls. It was only about a mile long hike and a very pleasant day for it!

Aunt Carol was so sweet and took our backpack with the waters, diapers, and snacks so I didn't have to carry it and keep up with Ian. Uncle Kenny, of course, had his own backpack with supplies. The two of them set the pace down the trail.

Auntie Liz and Grandpa Grape chatting along the trail.

Ian was sooooooooooooooooooooooo happy to have all the trail to walk along! Mr. Monkey was just glad for the free ride.

Rock climbing! Starts young! All four of us kids used to LOVE rock climbing when we were little.

Oh boy!! So much fun, Momma!

Back on the trail hiking, Uncle Kenny was nice enough to walk backwards for a while to video Ian's first hike. Unfortunately, the camera really doesn't show how steep the grade was. Ian was having a blast going downhill though. He giggled every time he stepped on a wooden board (put in place to keep the trail from becoming a mudslide during wet weather).

A hiking we will go! A hiking we will go! Hi ho the dairy-o! A hiking we will go!

A sweet picture with Aunt Carol and Ian. Uncle Kenny looks like their personal bodyguard!

Walk softly and carry a big stick!

Awww...love this! Another great father son moment.

Cheese! Uncle Russell, Allie, Aiden, Sarah, and Ian posing.

How did these silly people get in this picture?!

Sarah and Aiden checking out the mini rapids.

Better view of the rapids. I guess it is really just a bend in the stream, but to us non-Coloradoans, they count as rapids!

Being carried by Mommy warranted big smiles from Ian!

Auntie Liz and Ian posing in front of the biiig tree! Ian loved looking at the rocks.

Haha - Ian's favorite part of the hike was the wooden bridge. He went back and forth...

And back...

And forth for a little while until we decided we should keep hiking!

Beautiful view of the white water below us!

I think that churning water definitely qualifies as rapids, even to the natives.

Doesn't it sound awesome?



After alternating walking and being carried for a while, Ian opted for a piggy back ride. He was so happy to be so close to Mommy's hair and get a chance to mess it all up!

A quiet little waterfall (that we thought might be Alberta Fallas at first).

As we were pondering whether or not this was it, a few hikers came down the path and let us know that the actual falls were just a few hundred yards up. Within a few minutes, we were there!

Beautiful falls!

The air was so clean and the rushing water sounded so peaceful! It was nice to relax and enjoy the falls for a little bit.



Auntie Lizzie and Ian taking a break by the falls. (One of the two was starting to have a gall bladder attack, but was smiling through the pain...can you guess who?)

As soon as she realized it wasn't just back pain and actually a gallbladder attack, Auntie Lizzie started hoofing it down the mountain to get her medicine from the car. Of course, we weren't about to let her walk down by herself. As soon as I realized what was going on, I sent Uncle Kenny to run to the car and Ian and I ran to catch up with Liz. (Aunt Carol so nicely took the backpack again.) Ian thought running down the trail was great fun! At one point, Auntie Liz stopped for half a second and I took the opportunity to take her picture. Mean, I know. But we have to remember this mountain survival story now that it is over!

To be fair, we let Auntie Liz take a picture of Ian and me in our running-down-the-mountain pose. Since we (I) look pretty ridiculous, she decided that we were even for me taking the above picture of her!

Fortunately, we all made it down the mountain okay and Auntie Liz got her medicine. She has got to be one of the bravest, strongest people I know. She made incredible time running down that mountain in the middle of a full-blown, extremely painful gallbladder attack! She really is my hero for so many reasons. Not only does she deal with chronic pain on a regular basis, but she is an amazing wife and mother and always has great insight whenever I need to talk something out. I am so blessed to have her as my sister! And now we have our mountain survival story! (Although we would have been fine living til 100 without one of those!)

Back home, everyone enjoyed a little relaxation time before dinner.

Grandma Cookie had gone grocery shopping while we were out hiking and had this wonderful cake for dessert. It cracked us up when Allie informed us she wanted a slice without "omelets" (almonds).

After dinner, Ian started going back and forth from the kitchen to the front living room. All week, he had been going backwards down that little step like a good little boy. After the hike, he had some extra gusto and got brave enough to try just walking down the step. When he did it without falling over, he started laughing! He repeated this over and over, laughing every time he stepped down without falling. Of course, I didn't get the video camera on him until his last time (he started crawling down after that), but at least I caught it on video once!



Gallbladder attack aside, it was a wonderful hike and we enjoyed our time in the mountains. And, of course, "omelet cake" was the perfect end to such a busy day!