Humbled-Great Sand Dunes National Park

This past weekend I celebrated 13 years of adventure with my guy. 13 years. It’s hard to believe its been that long, and I’ve loved every minute of it-all the ups and downs and round and rounds.

To celebrate, we sent the cupkeiki away with grandma and took a 5 hour drive to The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. I’ve always wanted to go, and it was so much more than I expected. I was in awe, humbled, thankful, excited, and in love with everything.

The photo above is of me, that tiny dot humbled by the giant dunes.

We ended up taking off our shoes and trekking around the ridges and running down the slopes barefoot. The sand was warm, the sun shone brightly and the wind-the wind blew. We had so much fun and enjoyed every minute. I can’t wait to take our cupkeiki-but perhaps in a few years when she’s not so quick to ask to be carried!

NOLA On My Mind

I crave the sweet, humid and intoxicating air of the south.

I cringe at the memory of fermented, foul smelling liquor, rotten food and human waste

I long to be wandering through forests of tall trees, cool and quiet

I hunger for the sweet tea, and french-creole delicacies only I got a taste of

I can hear the street music vividly, and my skirt still sways to it

I am thankful for the South, for it has shown me something I hadn’t known I was missing.

 

~~~~~~~~~~

A few weeks ago, we took a road trip to New Orleans for a funeral. When I would say we were going to a funeral, people would apologize, and I would smile and say “no, no it’s a good thing that’s happening. We are going to celebrate an amazing man and his life with dancing, music, love and memories new and old.” I wish every funeral could be celebrated the way some celebrate in the south, with a Second Line. Of course the air was heavy with emotion. Sadness and happiness collided like a waterfall pouring down into a quiet stream below it. But it was also beautiful, in a way that one would have to personally experience. For me, seeing the people who traveled across the world to be there, the family walking together, and at different times carrying their father’s ashes through the street…it all equated to something beyond words.

My beautiful friend Cristina, and her husband, dancing with her papa at the end of procession. 

Our friend Wolfi came all the way from Germany, with his Saxophone and played in the Second Line!

It really was an incredible experience, and I believe that Charlie would have wholeheartedly approved of this sending off. I can hear his laugh and see his smile every time I think of this day.

~~~~~~~~~~

This was a road trip for the books. We slept in the back of the truck at truck stops, we drove for 12 to 14 hour stints, we sang songs, hiked, played I spy and counting games up the wazoo. All with a 4 year old. We were all happy, sleep and caffeine deprived and excited about “what was next”. Our state cruise looked like this: CO–> KS –> MO –> AK –> LA –> MS –> LA –> TX –> NM –> CO. And here’s a look at some of our adventure. I had wanted to take my Canon, but between trying to pack light, and the fear of it being stolen I decided not to take it and instead used my phones camera. I have an Android Galaxy S5 and the editing was done via Instagram (a few were post trip edited in Adobe Photoshop Elements).

Leaving Colorado, riding off into the sunset.

Sunrise and fog in Missouri

On our way to Arkansas to play!

Splashing in Devils Den State Park, AK

My cupkeiki and I sitting on the ledge, hiking the Yellow Rock Trail at Devils Den State Park, AK.

Swiftly through Arkansas we went, and arrived in Louisiana just in time for a beautiful sunset.

From Louisiana, we crossed over the Mississippi, to play in, well…Mississippi.

We spent 3+ hours monkeying around at Clark Creek Natural Area, MS. Waterfalls, vines…the works and a good workout!

We ate Frog Legs and Cat Fish Po’ Boys and drank the delicious local brew Abita, Purple Haze in Madisonville, LA at The Crabby Shack

We checked out the French Quarter our first evening there.

The following morning, we went out in search of Alligators. *Note, they are “abundant” but not in town. We went to the Jean Lafiette National Historical Park and Preserve, where we “saw” 3 alligators…there were probably many more that saw us.

Magnolia Trees in full bloom!

Cheers and good vibes everywhere!!

Cafe Beignet, no long lines like Cafe Du Monde, just saying. 

The band, Tuba Skinny. You can find them online. Listen to them, they are incredible!

We trekked all over the French Quarter for a full day. It was hot, humid, and beautiful. *except the stinky puddles-cupkeiki.

We made it Galveston, TX and went shell hunting and for a ferry ride.

Sunrise in TX, where land is abundant and for sale.

We zipped (and by zipped I actually mean had an endless car trip) through Texas and into New Mexico where we wanted to visit the Carlsbad Caverns. It was amazing, and the elevators were out of order. But my cupkeiki did amazing and her and I jogged up and out in 25 min. Once out, she celebrated then promptly passed out and we drove out of New Mexico and into a snow storm in Colorado. That’s Colorado for you.

What a fantastic trip, filled with fantastic memories. My family and I bonded and I owe a special thank you to my manimal, who works so hard everyday but worked especially hard to make this trip happen for all of us even though things are crazy busy.

Gem Lake

Last weekend we went off in search of adventure. We found ourselves on the Gem Lake Trail. It was a great hike, that had families exploring as well. I am looking forward to taking my cupkeiki there once the weather higher up gets a little warmer.

Gem Lake was still frozen most the way through, but the trail heading up was pretty much dry (save for a few shaded areas).

We saw this dirt drawing, but not the person, or people who drew it.

Coyote Ridge Natural Area

Yesterday, my cupkeiki asked if we should go on an adventure. She suggested the Poudre River bike path, mostly because she already knows it, or downtown. I thought about it for a while and decided that, somewhere new might be fun. I have been wanting to go to, Coyote Ridge Natural Area for some time, it appeals to me as a prairie and mountainous hiking area. We loaded up the bike (her little balance bike) and off we went. We were pleasantly surprised by the fact that there were not a lot of people there (three cheers for weekday adventures), but enough people to make it not feel too isolated.

We really liked the informational boards along the way, especially the castings of critters that exist (lifelike rattlesnake anyone) or existed (prehistoric ocean dwelling fish) in the area. We made it to the first switchback and at that point my cupkeiki was done. Mountain biking, for the first time, uses up a lot of energy-especially when your bike has no pedals, gears or brakes! She did so good that a few of the cyclists we passed gave her compliments on her effort, which was pretty cool!

On the trip down the hill, my cupkeiki wanted to experience first hand, a little downhill action. After a tumble on the rocky path she was shaky so I helped her out a little, and got in some cardio myself, by running along side her and doing the mom thing – holding jacket hood firmly in hand while encouraging her to stay in control and confident about her choices- what can I say, I completely understand the desire to go fast, while also realizing the consequences of totally wiping out!!

We really had a great time out there, and I’m looking forward to going back and straight to the top!

A couple of thoughts if you are going to go with little ones:
1. It is rattlesnake country and there are lots of signs warning about it. Take the time to talk about snake safety, it’s just good practice.
2. The path is gravel, rocky and can be pretty muddy, so choose your day based on weather conditions.
3 Bring lots of water. It’s so open that the elements can really have an impact.
4. It’s also habitat for other animals, beyond snakes and Prarie dogs…deer, coyotes, bob cats, lions. My father, when I was a child, discussed once what to do if in a situation with an aggressive animal and I’ve never forgotten it. The informational boards also have that information. I think it’s good to keep your distance and know what to do. Lately, I see pictures on social media sites where people think getting closer (or getting their kids closer) for that “epic selfie” is a good idea and it isnt. Having a healthy respect for the animals and environment is smarter than seeing just how far the boundaries can be pushed.

Pingree Park

Flowers and Water

Just a few pictures of my outings this last week.

Natures Gifts

On Monday, my brother, cupkeiki and I went for a cruise around Pennock Pass. It’s a common destination for nature enthusiasts, including hiking, biking, horse back riding, and off road vehicles. I will say this about the area, it is insanely beautiful…but there’s also a grievance I have with the area, due mostly in part to those who make the haul up to spend the weekend enjoying their off road vehicles, and that is the litter. It was everywhere. It baffles me just how ignorant people can be when it comes to their idea of how to enjoy nature. Pack it in, pack it out. Leave it a little better than it was. To see copious amounts of beer cans, plastic ware, and general rubbish is ridiculous. And lazy. But enough of that.

We enjoyed the sunshine and hiked around, and when the clouds rolled in we decided to head out. I mentioned to my brother that it was a bummer not seeing any wildlife (due to loud vehicles and a cupkeiki who was excited to see everything I’m sure!) and two seconds later, a Doe and her babies were crossing the road in front of us! I hopped out of the truck and trailed behind them on the road as they crept up the hill side.

I commented to my brother about the joy of seeing the deer, and mentioned how great it would really be to see a big horn sheep (not common at all to the area), bear or lion next, as we drove out onto the main road. Not two minutes later, my brother looked out the window, said “no way!” in a more expletive manner, and backed the truck up. As he was backing up he said “you won’t believe this!” I said “what? WHAT?!?!” and he said “Bear”.  I grabbed my camera and jumped out of the truck and across road. I was so excited about seeing a bear in the wild, as it is the first time ever seeing one. You hear stories of people in the mountains complaining about bears getting into trash or cat food left out. You see signs that they exist everywhere, but until you actually see one, they might as well as be an elusive myth. At least to me. I’ve heard a bear call out, and I know they exist, as I’ve seen them in zoo’s and sanctuaries, but to see one in nature is something more primitive and exciting. It backs up the reasons your father told you on camping trips as a child that “if you see a bear or a mountain lion back up, slowly. If it starts running at you, start screaming and throwing your arms in the air. If that doesn’t work, curl up into a ball and hope for the best…” I still hear that conversation in my head, but until I saw that bear…

I was trying really hard to hold still, I had my long lens on and between my excitement, the bear on the move, and not having a tripod I just snapped away praying something came out even half way decent so that I had proof of the sighting. People drove slowly past, one couple stopped and watched for a minute, I asked if they could see it, and they said, “yes and it’s beautiful!” And right there and then, my heart was full of love and gratitude for nature, for my time here in CO, for my family and for getting to share that experience with my brother and my cupkeiki. It is probably a trip I will never forget. I don’t know how often a person gets to put it out there to nature that they would really like to get to see something like a bear and have it actually happen. Love and gratitude.

Snowballs and Bears

Trail Ridge Road opened yesterday…or Friday…one of those days. Regardless, since reading about its being open, I was ready to go. That and I start a microbiology class tomorrow and will spend my summer studying microbiology, chemistry and preparing myself for an entrance exam. FUN!! So I needed a calm weekend and some hiking. Today was perfect in the park. Tons of Elk, blue skies, and flowers. The park wasn’t overly crowded too, which was really nice–for parking’s sake.

We went up Trail Ridge Road, stopped at the top, walked around and had a little snowball session. What is it about going up to the park to play in snow that is cooler and more exciting than when it’s in your front yard?! Regardless we had a great time at the top!

After playing around on the top, we went back down and went to Bear Lake to do some hiking. I really liked the accessibility (though snowy and slippery in a good part of the trail) for kids. We saw lots of children out there, and my own cupkeiki liked the trail. It was beautiful, and a beautiful day for a spring hike!

It also happens to be Rocky Mountain National Parks 100th birthday this year, so go and celebrate the beauty of this wonderful place!!
As we were driving down the canyon we chanced upon a herd of Big Horn Sheep! We don’t really participate in the “stop traffic to take lots pictures and disturb the wildlife.” If it’s convienient/safe we will otherwise I take pictures by leaning over the driver (manimal) and crossing my fingers that I get a good shot! Today I got lucky, enough.

  

Everythings Golden

Monday Morning Thoughts

Go climb!