Rocky Mountain Snow

As we drove toward the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Dale grew more and more excited, because he had drawn the park ranger a picture and could not wait to give it to her.  She thanked Dale and told him that his picture would hang where all the other rangers could see it.

This is the face of a boy who gave a park ranger a colorful drawing.

We headed to the park that day because Trail Ridge Road had opened up, and we love being among the first to travel that snowy journey.

The views from our car offered exciting snowy walls.

Dale couldn't wait to get out and build snow castles.

When we were finally able to get out of the car, Dale got busy scooping with his shovel.  Unfortunately, it was way too cold to play long.

Rose was afraid of the snow walls and could not relax.

We headed down the mountain and took Rose to her favorite spot in Estes Park.  She was much happier then.

This smile brought to you by Capri Sun.

My coffee shop has changed a lot in the last year, and it is now better than ever.  Dale and Rose would love to take visitors there to feed the geese and ducks.

That's close enough, little goose dude!

The kids had a great time picking all the dandelions.  By the time we left, they had quite a beautiful collection of yellow flowers...that Daddy meanly made them leave behind.

Check out this petrified wood!

Rocky Mountain Mama

May 12, 2013

The kids and I drove to Colorado just in time for Mother's Day, and my fabulous husband knew just where to take me...Rocky Mountain National Park.

Dale was pretty proud of himself for being brave enough to stand  next to a bear statue.  (Even though it looks like my child has his hand up the bear's bummers.)

Now that we know how much Dale likes to climb rocks, it was pretty easy to decide on our park destination.  The Alluvial Fan area has some great boulders to climb and lots of little stones to toss into the river too.

Look at that face!  This boy loves climbing!

Family with weird hats.

Minnetonka girls are awesome!

Since it was Mother's Day, Mark knew he had to take me to my coffee shop.  I sat myself in my chair facing the water, drank what is fast becoming my favorite coffee and watched my kids feed the ducks.  My view has changed over the years, but I love it more now.

Best seat in the house.

And check this girl out.  Rose loves my coffee shop as much as I do.

What a great day of family, mountains and coffee.  Can't think of anything better!

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.