Day 3 - 10 mile hike... take that day 2

On the last day we took a 10 mile hike that featured waterfalls, cascades (wossie waterfalls) and a mountain lake (a really really slow waterfall).

We were warned about criminal activity in the area.... doesn't this look like a wanted poster with a composite sketch of the bad guy??? Just to be safe Erik killed three mountain lions, but there was no reward to be had. Nicole, being a Leo, felt right at home.


The first waterfall, Copeland Falls.


We walked by many areas that were affected by forest fires. This one didn't seem to have many trees growing again... but later on there were areas were pine trees were starting to come back.

This cascade was full of rocks and downed trees
Another reason not to smoke and hike...

A swath of trees in an old forest fire from across a valley... actually all of these fires were started naturally by lightning...

The most spectacular falls of our trip.... Ouzel Falls. We had to walk a bit off trail and climb up a few rocks to get to this cool locale with great views of the falls. If you know a ranger, don't tell them.

Erik is such a hippie... always saving stuff. And not shaving.

Along the top of the mountain was the site of the biggest forest fire... this trunk was burned in 1978!

Some handy work by some beavers...

The last (mini) falls we'd see on the day...

...and the reward, a mountain lake...

The privies smelled greeeeeeeat. (Thanks Nicole for taking this wonderful picture)
...more coming when we upload some more pics..

Day 2 – 9 hours of hiking

Day 2...Part 1

We woke up early and set out for our first summit hike up deer mountain (where we didn’t see any deer, that was saved for near our tent. The trail head was just a short drive down the road...



Hiking up…looking down.

Erik even saved the mountain!

These are the stairs that lead to the summit…really hard after a few hours of hiking to 10,013 feet.


The view on top was well worth it..

Here are our results back down at the trailhead:

notice who is wearing the pac….(the same one who is sporting the mountain man beard)



Part 2 …day 2

After a lovely meal of pb and honey..we were off for some “easy” “flat” hikes.

First up: Alberta Falls


Next up: the most aesthetically (mom still studying for the GRE) pleasing mountain lake either of us have ever seen, Bear Lake. Grrr




(Nick you might recognize those boots)


The drive back was full of beautiful views…just in time for another dehydrated meal.








followed by a beautiful sunset

Drive to Rocky Mountain and Day 1

The last leg of Kansas and the majority of Colorado was pretty flat, but all of a sudden we saw the mountains in the distance.

The road leading up to the park wound around in a pretty deep canyon

Eventually we got to Rocky Mountain National Park. We made some pb and honey, and set up the tent.




We hiked up to cub lake while it began to rain steadily for 3 hours of our 3 hour hike. It was a good warmup for the days to come, but we did get soaked (good reason to start a fire)


We managed to dry off (mostly) before heading to bed, but were still pretty cold the first night... but we were ready for the next day's summit hike.

Our night in Colby, KS

So there was quite a storm the night we were in Colby.... check out the video with the sweet commentary.

Leg 3...Kansas part 1

...Welcome to Kansas...

We made it through our big drive...a whopping 10 hours to get to the lovely Colby Kansas. The car ride came...and went...saved by the comedic relief of Jerry Seinfeld and Demetri Martin. The highlight was a detour 5 miles off the highway to a wendy's for a treat (this time Nicole paid).

Look- Kansas has a city! It came...and went.

Look Kansas even has a farm...it came...and came...and came...

I could have turned back...but I kept on going ..

Next up- Colorado in Rocky Mountain National Park. Expect some sweet pictures in the next three days.

Leg 2... St. Louis

Second leg of our trip had us driving out to St. Louis to visit the arch, and have our relatively fancy night. There were metal horses in the lobby of the hotel, that's all that has to be said about the Adam's Mark hotel. Crossed a few state lines...

Hoosier Daddy??

... nothing to say about this weird shaped state ...

The "show me" state... seriously?

Show you this maybe.... the postcard worthy picture NVV took of the St. Louis arch. Seriously people... please contact NVV (or her extended legal network that monitors all her social and legal activities.... Aunt Jeanne...) before using this photo.

Erik couldn't climb the arch very well. Must have been the crocs.

Nicole wondering about the arch...

Holding up the massive arch is tough work... check out those arms!!

Bending the arch was pretty hard too...