Hiking on a Summer Day

We have been able to do a lot of hiking this Summer. Caleb is finally able to sit up in a backpack, which lets us go for longer hikes. A couple weekends ago we went hiking at Reynolds Park near Conifer, CO. The hike was only four miles round trip. Not that long until you put a kid on your back, start at 8,000 ft. elevation and gain another 800 ft. before reaching the top! It was a great work out!! In fact, Patrick and I had a sitter coming that night to watch the kids so we could go out, but we were SO tired, we cancelled and just stayed home.

Patrick and Daniel enjoying a little rest at the top of the mountain.

The view from where we stopped to picnic was incredible and worth the climb. We could see all the way to Pike's Peak! I packed a wonderful, tasty meal if I do say so myself, but I've decided that for the next big hike I am getting all the light-weight, pre-packed food from REI. It was heavy!!

While we were hiking we came across some areas where the bark had been scraped off the pine trees. Patrick explained to Daniel that those were stops where the elk or deer had been rubbing their antlers, called an "Elk (or deer) Rub." Later on while we were eating lunch, Daniel picked up two sticks on his own and started rubbing the pine tree. He turned to me and said, "Look, Mommy, I making a elk rub!"

Caleb can't sit up well on his own yet, and I didn't want him rolling down the mountain so he just had to watch us eat from the comfort of his packpack! He was his happy, usual self!

Caleb finally got free and had some fun time with Daddy!

Every little boy needs a good stick!

Caleb has figured out the best way to get up the mountain. Now... it they only made adult-sized backpacks -- that's the way I'd go!