Colorado Vacation: The Hike
I couldn't write about this trip without dedicating a whole section to the hike Lee, Dad and I took one day. It's a hike my family did when I was 11, and I remembered it as gorgeous, but a bit tough, with fairly steep sections and at an altitude where snow fields can often be seen near the path.
The park rangers warned us that the trail was more challenging this year because there was more snow pack than usual, but that only enticed me further since I'm from the snow-deprived south and love the white stuff. So we took off, all feeling quite ambitious about our adventure.
The trip up the mountain was exhilarating. The scenery was amazing and worth every upward step, and I was happy to see snow fields along the edge of our path.
Yeah, my pants legs are rolled up in that picture like a big dork, but that's because as we got closer to the top of the trail, the snow got deeper and deeper and crept over into the path. I was trying to keep my pants dry. Try being the operative word, and I did not succeed. Soon we were trudging through the snow in our jeans and soaked tennis shoes, often taking sinking steps that found us in thigh-high drifts. We lost the trail a few times because of the snow, but thankfully Dad had done the hike in recent years and knew which direction to follow.
We finally reached the summit after considerably more time than we expected, but the views were a great reward.
We sat on a rocky overlook, hanging on to our hats and bags as the wind whipped down from Notchtop Mountain. We could see lakes and other mountains below, and felt nearly even with the clouds.
As much as we enjoyed our hike up, we didn't relish the idea of battling the snowfields again. We ran into some cross-country skiers who told us if we followed the trail down the other side of the mountain instead of retracing our steps, we'd probably encounter less snow pack. It was a longer trek, but we figured we'd make better time anyway without the snow.
And the skiers were right - to a point. Eventually there was less snow on the other trail, but the first part of that downward trail was really tricky. The path gripped the side of the mountain with a steep drop to one side. To make matters worse, the little bit of snow pack we had to traverse crossed this part of the path. That meant we had to find our way across the narrow, snow-covered trail, hoping the few footprints in front of us were on track. The path cut across some steep spots where, if you slipped, you'd likely roll like a snowball until you were stopped abruptly by the rocks below. This picture does not do it justice.
After several tense crossings, the snow began to disappear, but we weren't out of the woods yet (pun intended). The trail was considerably longer than we expected (7.5 miles), and what we thought initially would be a 4-5 hour trip took almost 8. Toward the end, I was sure my shoes were made of lead and that my legs would surely fall off. We didn't bring nearly enough water, and I was so thirsty by the end of the hike that it was hard to speak. I'd never been so happy to see a shuttle bus as when one pulled alongside the road to take us to our car (and our extra bottles of water).
But despite the rough ending, it really was a thrilling hike up the mountain. And I won't soon forget how it felt to sit on that rocky overlook at the top and feel like I'd conquered the world with my two favorite men by my side.
Our Colorado adventure was a great trip, and since Camille is too young to remember any of it, we'll just have to do it again someday because these are some sweet memories.
Colorado Vacation: The Family
I loved having a full week to spend with my parents, and I know Camille did too. Nana and Granddaddy properly spoiled us, and Dad and I took a nice hike up the cabin's mountain road where we enjoyed fantastic sunset views of the surrounding peaks and valley.
I also loved spending so much time with Lee and Camille. Lee and I even snuck away to the Estes Park Brewery to have a drink and celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. I sat in the booth across from my sweet husband, thinking how pleased I would have been seven years ago to know we'd be spending our anniversary still very much in love, and on a fun vacation with our daughter, family and friends.
Jeff, Michelle and Stella joined us for the second half of the vacation. Camille really liked Baby Stella, who has the habit of flashing the most adorable smile when she's happy, which is almost all the time.
I enjoyed spending more time with her, and while Camille napped one afternoon and Stella's parents took a hike (literally), we snuck outside and played on the swing. And later, when Camille woke up, the two girls continued the tea party tradition, played with the toy zoo set, or chatted on the phone.
One morning, Lee, Jeff, Michelle and I took a horseback ride up a winding mountain trail, and it was one of the highlights of the trip for me. It had been so long since I'd been on a horse, and I hadn't realized how much I missed it.
This was Lee's first horseback ride, and I was very glad he was willing to give it a try - and he did great. We saw lots of pretty scenery and some baby elk and their mamas. And I took in deep breaths of leather and horse hair - a combination I find intoxicating, strange though it may sound. It felt very good to be in the saddle again.
Colorado Vacation: The Friends
The only thing better than the beautiful scenery of Colorado's mountains was the company of people I love and dearly miss. My parents rented a cabin in Estes Park and invited us to come along for a week. The house was tucked into the woods off a gravel mountainside road where the cool breezes were a wonderful respite from Savannah's heat. You could hear the wind building before it came blowing through the windows. From those same windows we could see snow-capped peaks and the occasional deer and coyote, and lots of hummingbirds. Camille particularly liked all the little rocks on the gravel driveway, meticulously picking out a stone for each of us. "Mommy rock," she would say as she placed it in my hand.
Instead of writing about the trip in one post, I'm going to break it into 3: The Friends, The Family, and The Hike.
The Friends
Anna, Jason and Elliot joined us for the first half of the trip. My heart was racing as we walked through the airport, I was so excited to see them and finally meet Elliot. She was even cuter than in all the pictures (as if that were possible - her pics are so cute!), and Camille seemed a bit starstruck. After all, she watches online videos of Elliot all the time, so to her, that's one famous baby!
The girls hit it off, although Camille is very much in a "mine" phase and wasn't always sure about sharing her toys. Elliot gave her an awesome tea set for her birthday, and Camille LOVED it! She even slept with a plate. And thankfully, there were enough plates and saucers that she was happy to share with her friend, and the two had many a tea party.
Unfortunately for Anna and Elliot, they had to spend part of their vacation dealing with a stomach flu. But we still managed to take the girls for a couple of "hikes" around lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park. "Hikes" is in quotes because they were really more like strolls - no steep inclines or anything. But lots of nice views and plenty of baby ducks, so we were all happy.
Camille was a champ in her backpack, and wore her hat to protect her face from sunburn - most of the time.
Elliot enjoyed watching Camille run around - we called it Cami TV. And Camille enjoyed hamming it up, and would often dance while Elliot laughed at her. And these were no little giggles, they were full-on belly laughs. Lee captured this video, and I think it's priceless.
Laughing Little Girls from Ginger on Vimeo.
I didn't get the stomach flu, thankfully, but I felt like throwing up when they drove away from the cabin to catch their flight back home. I hate that we live so far away from each other, but at the same time I'm grateful we can still stay in touch. I envision many more tea parties in the future for Camille and Elliot.
Ready or Not!
Lee and I have talked about potty training. We bought a little potty a couple of months ago and put it in our bathroom. And that's about as far as our potty training has gone. Camille thought the potty was pretty cool when we first got it, and she'd often ask to sit on it, but it seemed like more of a throne than a potty with a purpose.
So tonight, when Mommy had to go tinkle (TMI - I know) Camille came along and asked to sit on her potty. I didn't think much of it, but sat her up there and handed her a few books. And then suddenly - THERE WAS POO POO IN HER POTTY! I was excited and also a little freaked out because it was so unexpected. It's not like we've been really talking to her about it or pushing the issue AT ALL. We just haven't been in a big hurry. We don't even have pull-ups or training pants. Do we need to buy flushable wipes? I feel clueless. I haven't even bought a potty training book! How am I supposed to master a particular parenting skill without a proper manual?
I called for Lee so he could witness the momentous occasion and also supply some additional praise and congratulations to the big girl. She really didn't act like it was a big deal, and it may have been a matter of good timing on our part and not necessarily a signal that she's ready to be done with diapers. But I think it does mean some pull-up diapers are on my next shopping list, and I'll have to dedicate at least a little time tonight to seeing what my good friend google has to say on the issue of potty-training.
I called my mom after the blessed event to tell her the good news. She got on the phone with Camille and asked her if she went poo poo in the potty. And Camille - who usually clams up on the phone - must've been feeling at least a little proud because she answered with a big, "Yes!"
Bunny Ears
Somebunny made rabbit ears at today's Oatland Island story time. And somebunny not only enjoyed wearing them, but she didn't want to take them off. I had to convince her to nap without them. Once she was up, I was trying to motivate her to come to the grocery store with me, and the only thing that worked was standing by the door and saying, "Hey Camille, I've got your bunny ears!" She dropped whatever toy she was holding and came running, yelling "Bunny ears!" And she wore them through Publix, much to the delight of several shoppers who said she was a very cute bunny.
Lots to say about our Colorado trip, but I need to upload all the photos and video first! For now, nighty-night.