Catching up - Locket Meadow, May 2010

For memorial day weekend we went to Flagstaff. That Friday we had planned to hike Locket Meadow. When we got there the road was still closed for the season. So we parked the car and hiked our butts up to the meadow's camping area. We had the entire area to ourselves until some forest service workers got there. They came to clean up the camp ground and open it for the season. It was a lot of fun and gave us some great photos of Chase! We ended up hiking down right when the road opened. Both of us decided we should camp there next year. Sadly a few weeks later the area was involved in a big wildfire. I don't think this area was burnt, although I'm not positive. Maybe we will make it our first camping trip as a family of four!
I have a frame that has an 8x10 everyday picture of Chase that Joel or I took in it. I decided that we will update it every year. This might be this year's picture!

Family photo

Chase enjoyed climbing up and down on several rocks and logs. This has a good picture of the peaks in it.

I love this picture! I just wish Chase wasn't blurry...otherwise it would definitely be our yearly photo!

Telluride

It is becoming a family tradition to go to Telluride for the Bluegrass Festival. I love it there, Joel
loves it there, and I'm pretty sure Chase loves it there.

Every year the days go by way to fast. And every year both Joel and I say how one day we will live in the mountains with Green trees and rivers. One day.

We left Tuesday night and got to Flag. Then we drove to Dolores on Wed and drove the rest of the way on Thursday. In Dolores we spent the night in a small small cabin right off of the river. It was perfect.

Below is a picture of Joel and Chase on our first stop. I thought it turned out pretty cool.

Below are pictures of the cabin we stayed at. I think I was feeding Chase here. We literally were within 10-ft of the river.

We got to the campsite around 3. So we had a lot of time to "waste" before bed time. We went on the pet walk and came upon some swings. I love this picture of Chase and I.

I was really nervous about it being to cold for Chase. So here is the getup. He had socks on his hands and the hat was a litttttle big.

Chase ended up being just fine. The boy likes it cold!

The rest of the pictures are from Telluride.

The view on Friday. It was probably the best spot we have gotten.

Aidan getting ready for the night concert. It was to cold for me. :)

I forget what day this was. But this is the typical setup. We have two tents that are shared by 6 adults and 6 kids.

Mr. Rowen saying "Cheese". I have another picture of Ainsley smiling the exact same way.

To wear out the kids, we took them for a hike. We had the chariot with us. So Joel and Court took turns pushing that sucker up the hill. The chariot can carry two kids, so this was no small feat. I also have Chase on my back.

On the way down from the hike.

The last day. :(

Chase goes hiking

Inspired by the amount of walking I did in DC, I decided to go hiking with Chase during the week. We went to Thumb Butte on Wed. Which worked out great because, the temperature was awesome AND parking just so happens to be free on Wednesdays. I guess Wednesdays will become known as hiking day.
Here I decided to take a rest and try to get a decent picture. This is not an easy thing to do when you have to setup the camera and run over before the timer goes off all the while making sure you and your baby don't end up on the ground.

The view.

I was going to attempt another self timed picture. But a hiker asked if they could "help" me.

I have to admit, I was grateful.

The view. The trail is a loop. But the one side is all paved and pretty steep. So I choose to go up and down on the same side.

Joel gave me a day off on Saturday. I needed it! So I asked very kindly for him to take pictures of his and Chase's day. He did not do this simple task. So for now on, he can not complain about how little I use the camera. Oh, for those curious, I spent the day reading a book at wildflower. Yes, it is a very simple but luxurious gift to be able to read a book without being interrupted.

On Sunday we went to the Williamson Valley Trail. This was the first time that either of us had been on this trail. It was gorgeous! Our main problem was not bringing enough water and snacks. The over all trail was probably a medium level. Not easy like the Peavine, but Thumb Butte is definitely steeper. If the trail wasn't so narrow, you could easily bring a stroller.

I don't know if it is the unusual spring weather we have had this year, but there was an incredible amount of century plants blooming back here. I'm planning an entire post solely devoted to the century plants we saw. They are just amazing!

We woke up Chase for this picture.

Us by century plants.

Done with the hike. We took turns carrying Chase.

Chase in the ergo...again just waking up.