Estes Park & Rocky Mountain National Forest – August 13-15th

When we were debating about driving to Colorado vs. flying we decided that if we were going to drive we wanted to extend our trip and do something fun on the way home.  My Mom had a three bedroom condo reserved in Estes Park and invited us to join them after the reunion.  We said YES! Though it wasn’t until we visited the Estes Park visitor’s center that we realized that we were staying at the gates of the Rocky Mountain National Park!

While we waited for our condo get be ready we drove around town and picked up some goodies at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – because how could we not?  Saw some wildlife on the way to the condo – pretty sure these are elk??

It wasn’t much warmer in Estes Park, but with a pool at their disposal the kids suited up and went for an evening swim.  The kids went back to the condo in shifts to shower.  I hung back with the last of them and just as we were readying to leave we saw a black bear on the other side of the river.  Just strolling on by.  No shortage of wildlife on this vacation!

Early the next morning we were on our way to Bear Lake Trailhead.  We left early enough that we were able to find parking and spent the morning hiking around this beautiful area.  We hiked to Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake and then back down and over to Bear Lake – approx 5 miles. 

Grandma and the girls consulting the map 

   

Drew sure got a kick out of this friendly little squirrel that we found climbing all over our backpack 

   

short pitstop

Carly being a little camera shy 

   

family selfie! 

   

what did we do without phones?? 

   

After our morning hike we picked up lunch in town, dropped the kids off at the condo with a movie and the adults took off to explore the Rocky Mountains!  We drove up the 11-mile Old Fall River Road – a narrow one-way road with steep dropoffs and many, many switchbacks.  We took our time and stopped many times along the way to enjoy the views.

Val was gutsy enough to walk along the narrow road to find the perfect spot to take a picture.  That’s him walking along the bottom road.

Someone waved us down and told us there were elk just off the road so we pulled over to catch a glimpse, and a few pictures.

We also saw elk along the side of the road.

And several groundhogs.

Such a variety of landscapes (glaciers, lush greenery, rugged rocky terrain, pastures, etc…)

The Alpine visitors center is on the cliff above 

   

When we got back to the condo that evening the kids were excited for pizza so we picked them up some Dominos and the adults went out to dinner at a yummy Italian restaurant nearby.  We really are lucky to have such responsible kids that allowed us to have a relaxing afternoon and evening with my Mom and Val.  Tagging along with them was such a wonderful addition to our fun week in Colorado. 

The next morning we were back on the road bound for home.  The plan was to break up our 19+ hour drive into two days, but as we neared Boise and had trouble finding a place to stay for the night we decided to forge ahead. 

Drew just wanted a little human contact when he was getting sleepy so I’d reach back and he’d put my hand on his cheek for a few minutes.  Seriously, we’ve been blessed with the absolute best travelers possible! 

We arrived home at 3am and needless to say went straight to bed and even 11am church came too early.

Hipwell Family Reunion – Day 5 {Lake, Pool, and Pinata}

Today we drove up to Green Mountain Reservoir in search of sunshine and water.  It took us awhile to find access to the water and when we did we found it COLD.  The kids still got in and we ended up staying an hour or so.  The clouds kept the sun from making the cool water very enticing.  Ray brought his raft and the kids enjoyed paddling around.

I love Jason in this picture – eyes closed, head back, trying to soak in any sun possible    

As you can see, Drew spent most of the time snacking 

   

This group of teens saved a wayward tube    

We were back at the cabin for a late lunch and then most of the kids went to the rec center to swim that afternoon.

The fox showed up again this afternoon to say goodbye.  I was surprised that the fox’s tail seemed very heavy and stiff – like a beaver tail.  Certainly didn’t look anything like the soft, fluffy tails they put on stuffed animals.

That night the kids were able to take a whack at a piñata – youngest first (with a little help from Grandma)

Grandma made sure everyone was sufficiently dizzy before taking their turn.

Turns out Justin had to shake the candy out of the piñata from the loft above.  Total mayhem below. 

I like that Griffin is comforting Drew is this picture after he was pegged in the head with candy being hurled from above.

Come morning we all packed up and headed our separate directions.  It was a great reunion and I’m so grateful my Mom provides us with these opportunities to make such fun memories with our family.