Backpacking trip

Matt and the guys took a trip to Missouri Lakes which is just out of Vail area. They hiked in on Friday and stayed until Sunday. They really lucked out with the weather no rain and it wasn't too cold at night.

Matt is the second from the left- the only one without glasses on.

This is the other Matt - our neighbor and one of our best friends.

Scenery...........

Matt on the trail.


Bear smorgasborg below........
mmmmmmmm, dinner
More bear bait.....

The End!

River Runners!

This last weekend I decided it would be fun to go run a river with the kids. Since Carlie is so little we had to run a kid friendly section of the Colorado in Glenwood Springs. The put in was at the Shoshone. We put in and Matt and Carlie waited below this first section of class 2 & 3 to join us. We made it through and picked them up. Alex has been boating before, but never paddled. As you can see by these pictures she's a great boater! I think we all need duckies! (inflatable kayaks) When Carlie got on the boat she had a BLAST! She kept screaming at the guide to get the big water!!!! She even insisted on paddling. (which she did really well! Even for a bigger kid!)
So, here are some pictures, I'll have to post more of Carlie and Matt later- we had to take those with a waterproof camera, not a digital one. I think this winter it'll be swimming lessons for Carlie and the pool for Alex and myself to get our roll.

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway has been in operation for over 100 years! It's the longest and steepest Cog railway in the WORLD. At times it's a 25% grade and the front of the train is 3 stories higher than the rear car. (by the way there's only 4 cars!) Pretty cool stuff! We decided this would be a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.....Alex pointing out the station hours. Leaving the station
On the train

Every seat was taken, and it runs 7 days a week, all year. We had to make reservations to get on the train as they sell out ahead of time.

This is aptly named. The winds at this point can reach 120 mph. It was super cold up here!

This cabin is where 12 men lived at one time, this was the housing when they were building the railway. A lady even had a baby here, 91 years ago!
At the top, Brrrr....It was snowing when we got to the top, in the middle of August! They also have really good donuts at the top. Not an easy feat cooking donuts at 14,000 + feet.

Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle!

Great views at the top.

At the top... Matt and Alex

Alex, Carlie and Mom at the top

Getting back on the trainYou can see everyone was dressed for the cold. It was snowing when we first got to the top!

If you miss the train you get to hike back down. Not something I'd like to do with a 4 year old. It's about a 3 hour hike down!

Back on the train! Cozy and warm now!

Mom and CarlieMatt and Alex After we got back down...

The End.