My Church

March 31, 2013

Easter day

I don't go to church.  

When I was a teenager I tried a succession of churches with a slew of different friends, and I never found what I was looking for in any of those buildings.  Eventually I stopped trying, and it took me years to be content with not going, not understanding, and not believing.  If church is a place to renew your soul, my church isn't a building dipped in crosses and strongly scented perfumes.  My church is outdoors.  It's in the mountains and rivers, the trees and the clouds.  My peace lies in nature, and the closest I get to praying is when I look at the sky and inhale the scent of aspen and evergreen trees blowing in the wind.  Take me as I am.

On Easter day we hurried to the mountains.  Just inside the canyon, Dale and Rose got to watch bighorn sheep munch on grass by the river.

Once inside Rocky Mountain National Park, we quickly ate our lunch so we could get to our hike.

Dale was ready to go and wore his new Camelbak proudly.

In early October, the Fern Lake fire began in RMNP.  This fire won't be considered "out" until no smoke or heat can be detected, probably some time this spring.  We were in somewhat of  a hurry to see how this fire had altered one of our favorite Colorado spots before the green started to push through the black.  It was exciting to be able to witness how different this area of the park now looks.

We hiked a short way up Cub Lake trail, which allowed us to see some of the burn area.

Dale standing next to his poop sighting.

Dale wanted badly to go "rock climbing," so we drove to a spot along the road where we knew Dale could climb some giant sized rocks.  While Rose napped in the car, The Dude climbed all over, and he felt pretty darn cool by the time he was done.

We saw an elk.  Yes, just one lonely dude chilling in Estes Park.  This is Dale's I-see-an-elk face.

This is Rose's.

And of course, no trip to RMNP would be complete without a stop at my favorite local coffee joint.  My kids think it's a pretty cool spot too.

Chilling with Mommy.

What a glorious day.
Amen.