Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Colorado 2011 Cauthorn Style Day Two
August 8, 2011
The intention was to wake up before six so I could share a coffee and chat with my father, but that is not exactly how the first morning started. Sarah and I were up by 6:30 but that gave us just enough time to get dressed, wake the boys, drink a cup of coffee, eat breakfast, and pack up for our days.
The boys decided they would like to try five days of YMCA day camp this year. Anthony is a Mountaineer, Nathaniel is a Pioneer, and Michael is a Trailblazer. All the boys had archery (Anthony hit the target three of his four shots, Nate hit the target once, and alas, Michael's arrows flew every which way but true). Anthony also had a horseback ride and capture the flag, both activities were loved. His horse, "Tin Cup", was not the most lively of beasts. Nathaniel played nuke'em and putt-putt and made several new friends; Sam, Sam, and "I think George or Jordan". Michael played wizard tag, bombs, and made trail mix. It was suppose to be named "Dragon Poop" but he was going to have nothing of the sort, so we agreed that it was trail mix.
After camp, Anthony met up with a friend he made last year, Micah. They played pool then all the boys played Capture the Flag.
While the boys were enjoying day camp, Sarah and I set off on a hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park. For weeks I have been studying maps and reviewing web sites. We love being up in the mountains with a destination in mind and the beauty of nature absorbing us. The hike we decided on was Black Lake. Starting at Glacial Gorge, we first hiked to Mills Lake. In all the years we have been here, we had never been to Mills Lake. Shame on us! It is named after Enos Mills, an early proponent to make this a national park. He must have been a great man to name such a lake after him. Surrounded by mountains, trees, and impressive boulders is but a taste of its beauty.
We continued about 2.5 mile passed Mills Lake to Black Lake. Black Lake was difficult at the end rising steeply to the lake that was over 10,600 feet in altitude. Being above the tree line only boulders encased the lake. Sarah and I ate our lunches on a huge rock looking out over the feeder creek and lake.
After we regained our strength, we hiked back down to Mills Lake. On the trail we came across an Elk with four fawns. They looked as if they too were hiking to Mills Lake.
Mills Lake inspires tranquility. When Sarah and I got back to Mills Lake, we sat taking in the view. Rocky Mountain National Park exudes nature. It feels like that if you are quiet enough, still enough, and patient enough, at some point a deer, wolf, coyote, marmot, or elk will show up. While sitting on our rock, we saw an Elk enter the lake from the opposite side, walk across to near where we were sitting, get out and continue its journey. This all happened while we silently watched and smiled.
Mom and Dad took a hike from the YMCA to Moraine Park. A few navigational errors and four hours passed before they arrived back at Jeremiah. During their hike they witnessed Anthony mounted on Tin Cup and he was at the back of the line. When they got home, Mom's knee started to bother her. It took three days to recover!
Sarah and I ended up hiking ten miles and arrived home just in time to pick up the boys. Mom and Dad had Bar-B-Que chicken, pork, ribs, and brisket with corn, beans, green beans, and salad prepared for dinner.
After dinner Anthony went to Teen Night at the Y while the rest of the crew played several rounds of Guillotine where Sarah was victorious.
Exhausted, sleep came quickly.
The intention was to wake up before six so I could share a coffee and chat with my father, but that is not exactly how the first morning started. Sarah and I were up by 6:30 but that gave us just enough time to get dressed, wake the boys, drink a cup of coffee, eat breakfast, and pack up for our days.
The boys decided they would like to try five days of YMCA day camp this year. Anthony is a Mountaineer, Nathaniel is a Pioneer, and Michael is a Trailblazer. All the boys had archery (Anthony hit the target three of his four shots, Nate hit the target once, and alas, Michael's arrows flew every which way but true). Anthony also had a horseback ride and capture the flag, both activities were loved. His horse, "Tin Cup", was not the most lively of beasts. Nathaniel played nuke'em and putt-putt and made several new friends; Sam, Sam, and "I think George or Jordan". Michael played wizard tag, bombs, and made trail mix. It was suppose to be named "Dragon Poop" but he was going to have nothing of the sort, so we agreed that it was trail mix.
After camp, Anthony met up with a friend he made last year, Micah. They played pool then all the boys played Capture the Flag.
While the boys were enjoying day camp, Sarah and I set off on a hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park. For weeks I have been studying maps and reviewing web sites. We love being up in the mountains with a destination in mind and the beauty of nature absorbing us. The hike we decided on was Black Lake. Starting at Glacial Gorge, we first hiked to Mills Lake. In all the years we have been here, we had never been to Mills Lake. Shame on us! It is named after Enos Mills, an early proponent to make this a national park. He must have been a great man to name such a lake after him. Surrounded by mountains, trees, and impressive boulders is but a taste of its beauty.
We continued about 2.5 mile passed Mills Lake to Black Lake. Black Lake was difficult at the end rising steeply to the lake that was over 10,600 feet in altitude. Being above the tree line only boulders encased the lake. Sarah and I ate our lunches on a huge rock looking out over the feeder creek and lake.
After we regained our strength, we hiked back down to Mills Lake. On the trail we came across an Elk with four fawns. They looked as if they too were hiking to Mills Lake.
Mills Lake inspires tranquility. When Sarah and I got back to Mills Lake, we sat taking in the view. Rocky Mountain National Park exudes nature. It feels like that if you are quiet enough, still enough, and patient enough, at some point a deer, wolf, coyote, marmot, or elk will show up. While sitting on our rock, we saw an Elk enter the lake from the opposite side, walk across to near where we were sitting, get out and continue its journey. This all happened while we silently watched and smiled.
Mom and Dad took a hike from the YMCA to Moraine Park. A few navigational errors and four hours passed before they arrived back at Jeremiah. During their hike they witnessed Anthony mounted on Tin Cup and he was at the back of the line. When they got home, Mom's knee started to bother her. It took three days to recover!
Sarah and I ended up hiking ten miles and arrived home just in time to pick up the boys. Mom and Dad had Bar-B-Que chicken, pork, ribs, and brisket with corn, beans, green beans, and salad prepared for dinner.
After dinner Anthony went to Teen Night at the Y while the rest of the crew played several rounds of Guillotine where Sarah was victorious.
Exhausted, sleep came quickly.
