Laowai

We were so lucky to escape to the mountains for the second time this summer. This time we were in Colorado and we were surrounded by family too. 

We started out by spending a few days at Dave and Kim’s house. We loved their firepit for roasting marshmallows and they have the most beautiful big green prairie area near their house. Claire would not be separated from sweet Maddie for the whole trip. 

 

Then we drove to the mountains. We stayed in a house along Grand Lake on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. I got to spend lots of time reading on the house’s peaceful deck while hummingbirds visited a feeder next to me. It was heaven. Grand Lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado which is surprising because it’s little. The town of Grand Lake was sweet and had a kitchy western historical feel. The main street was lined with deck style wood sidewalks – it was fun to stroll along looking at touristy moose t-shirts in shop windows and stopping to buy ice cream.

Then we hit the trails – my favorite part. 

Phillip and Bea hit it off and scurried down the hiking trail like little mountain goats.

It would not have been my first choice, but the older Chapman cousins convinced us all to ride go carts. The kids loved it. I just laughed and Claire kept reminding me that I was in last place. 

The kids went swimming in Grand Lake – brrrrrrr.

The second hike was a long sunny trip to a waterfall. Grandma and I bailed out part way through, but I was really proud that all the kids did it because it was around seven miles. Claire had lots of help from Brian and Dave’s shoulders.

On the last day of our trip Brian and Dave did the Triple Bypass. The Triple Bypass is a very difficult bike ride that goes over 3 mountain passes. Dave did the ride last year also. Here’s the info from the website: The ride is 120 miles from Evergreen over Juniper Pass (11,140 ft.), Loveland Pass (11,990 ft.), Swan Mountain and Vail Pass (10,560 ft.), concluding in Avon. The ride has over 10,000 ft. of challenging elevation gain!

The rest of us played team car and met Brian and Dave a couple times along the route and then at the finish line. The mountains were so beautiful and we were all so proud to be cheering the dads on. I could tell Brian was really happy (and tired) when he finished – he just feels good when he’s climbing mountains.

Wow – that was a lot of photos! We always have a great time with Dave and Kim and Sophie and Maddie and Ryan and Phillip – they are a big fun family (and Grandma too). Thanks guys!