Rocky Mountain National Park

We went into the Park for one hike this year.

Due to extreme popularity, even at 8am, we took the free park shuttle to the Glacier Gorge trailhead. 

We walked around Bear Lake.

The lake is very pretty; the water glistens and there are views of Longs Peak!

And then we hiked up to Alberta Falls.

Lydia stopped to take a picture.

The girls took turns being "trail guides" and eventually we made it to the 30-foot falls.

With the shuttle full going back, we got front standing spots as we rode down the curvy road, making this "rollercoaster ride" the favorite part of this day. 

Jackson Stables

Jackson Stables is in the YMCA camp

Waiting to ride

No more pony rides, these girls rode Big Horses!

Lydia rode Babe, oldest horse at the stables

Ben rode Oliver. (Mine was Durango)

Lined up and ready to ride

Aladdin wanted to snack, but Abby did a good job of keeping him in line!

It was perfect to have Abby in the front, close to the wrangler who could coach Abby as needed (pull reigns, kick heels, lean back, etc).

On the DEER MEADOWS Trail

 We had fun!

YMCA Camp

At the YMCA camp, we had a wild time with extended family! 17 of us in two 3-bedroom cabins. We stayed 4 nights.

Kailyn, Hailey, Emily, Gma Jan, Kinsey, Nathan, Abby, Julie, Sarah, Jacob, Gpa Bruce, Karla, Konrad, Kayla, Lydia, Ben, Kristin

There's so much we all wanted to do at the camp. Sometimes our plans would line up with the others, sometimes they didn't or we crossed paths at Sweet Memorial, but we all made it a priority to show up for dinner at 6.

On Karla's taco night, these 2 deer showed up too! They got pretty close and stayed a while.

On the first morning, we went on a steep hike to BIBLE POINT.

Abigail's morning hiking look ;)

There were stops along the way with passages from Psalms. The girls did a great job taking turns reading them-very proud!

Here's the view at the top! There's a mailbox and journal to write a note and sign. I think Lydia wrote something like, "Thank you for the beautiful earth!" I couldn't help but sing in my head, "Lord our Lord How Majestic is your Name in all the Earth!" < Michael W. Smith / Psalm 8:9 >

Going back down a different route,

and spotting deer.

Here's some pictures from activities...

FAMILY ADVENTURE

(family challenges (like flipping over our raft while not getting eaten by whales) that had us evaluating our Communication, Collaboration & Congratulations)

TREASURE TREK

(had us walking all over campus finding the next clue)

DRUM CIRCLE

(got us all jiving before bedtime)

DORSEY MUSEUM

(complete with an old phonograph with volume control doors and highlight of Lydia's day)

CRAFT & DESIGN CENTER

(Lydia was very proud of her polka dottie ceramic elephant!)

For me, SUNSET YOGA can't be missed. We also swam in the pool, played mini golf, took in a concert, and got ice cream at the lodge.

And just around camp...

frolicking at 8200 feet...just fantastic scenery for a YMCA!

Getting our "climb on"

And spending time with cousins and family!

Hailey taught Lydia string shapes and Lydia taught her Cat's Cradle.

Eiffel Tower

3, 2, 1...rocket copter launch!

Tire swings and cousins are such fun!

Making muffins together.

THANK YOU to Grandma Jan and Grandpa Bruce for the chance to play and stay together in Colorado! (See 1st picture again ;) and here's more photos around the iconic YMCA kids...

their silly idea...being the exclamation point !

Estes Park, CO

We gleefully made it to Estes Park, CO!

We spent one morning walking the river walk, popping in and out of shops, and hanging out downtown.

This water is ICE COLD and refreshing! Makes sense, as it's freshly melted from the mountain tops!

We went into the candy shop and the girls selected about 12 pieces of taffy for their handy little cartons.

Cuties checking out their taffy stash and waiting for bus ride back to YMCA camp.