We Love the Mountains

We haven't done a whole lot of hiking this summer, what with the addition of Cal to our ranks and all.  Maybe you remember the first time we attempted a Monday Night Hike with our little one?  Yeah, bad news bears.  Things are getting better since that disaster of an evening, however.  For one thing, we've nixed the evening hours for outings such as this; mornings are much happier times for Miss Callie.  And another key point, I think, is that our baby girl is growing up.  She's nearly three months old now - bring on the mountains!  And that's exactly what we did on Labor Day.

We started our morning on the Lionshead Rock trail in Minturn.  We didn't make it to the top this time (Cal is getting better in the carrier, but she does have her limits), but we were able to get to a lovely overlook before she got a little cranky.  We did attempt finishing the trail with her sleeping in my arms, but let me tell you: hiking at elevation with a dead-weight slumbering infant in your arms is no easy task.  We decided it was best for my wimpy arms to just turn around.  The greenery was lovely, though, and we thoroughly enjoyed the cool, quiet morning.

After we got back to the car and changed a poopy diaper that was this close to being a blowout (phew), we buckled ourselves back in and kept heading south to one of our favorite spots around, Homestake Road.  We found a lovely little pull-out off the main road and settled in for an afternoon of relaxation.  Gregg made a small fire and roasted us some delicious hot dogs for lunch.  Callie snoozed in my arms after her own lunchtime feast.  And I breathed in the most delicious smell in the world (here's the recipe: fir needles + dirt + sunshine = magic in your nostrils).  It was a simply perfect day in the mountains we love.

Practicing her latest skill - holding up that
heavy head!