Camping

Did you know that as of two weeks ago, Trav had not been camping with us since the move to Colorado?! It was a little nuts, so we knew we had to fix that. We picked a random weekend, and made some reservations. Friday after school let out, we piled into the car and headed out into the mountains.

Glenwood Canyon is one of my favorite places in Colorado... nay, in the country. We'd been there before just for a day trip, and I was so excited to head there for a whole weekend. 

Friday evening we just hung out and got settled into our site. We ate dinner and relaxed before heading to bed. Guys, I know that some people live for the ocean, the sand in their toes and salt water spray. I understand that, but me? I’m most alive amongst the tall, tall trees. Preferably on or by the mountains. The particular smell that comes from a forest, punctuated by a curl of wood smoke (from a properly contained campfire!), with the sound of a stream... that’s where I find peace. So Friday night? It was the big, big exhale after a long holding of breath.

Saturday morning we were up early, and after a nice breakfast, headed out to Hanging Lake. We had been wanting to do Hanging Lake ever since out last visit to Glenwood Springs 2 years earlier!

It is such a beautiful hike. A little intense at points, but totally doable. It's only about 1.2 miles to the top... but you gain about 1000ft during that time!

Gwen was an absolute champ, powering her way right up the trail. We stopped a few times just to drink some water, but we made it up without incident. 

And the view at the top was worth every step (the steps were worth it anyway, I do so love hiking!). 

We were met with a crystal clear, blue hued lake...

And a short hike above that led us to Spouting Rock... or origin of the waterfall that empties into Hanging Lake!

It was such an amazing place!

We headed back down the trail after that, and made out way to a burger joint to grab some elk and bison burgers to refuel. They felt much earned! 

We hit up another little hike that afternoon, the super short but fun hike up to see Doc Holliday's grave! After that it was back to the camp site for some relaxing and fire building.

This is the epitome of calm and peace for me guys:

I seriously haven't felt that peaceful, that free and light in ages.

We ate dinner, and some s'mores (because what's camping without s'mores?!), then relaxed for a bit and watched our campfire change colors.

(Thanks to one of these...)

That night, Gwen woke up in the early hours because she needed to go to the bathroom. We headed over to the bathhouse, and while random wake ups aren't my thing, it ended up being a blessing in disguise. The view out there, in the night and the dark, without city lights around to mute things was absolutely phenomenal. I forgot just how many stars there are in the night sky. How bright and magnificent they are. How they pull you up and in until the sky expands and fills your whole world, so it seems that nothing else exists. As she and Trav climbed back into the tent, I couldn't help but stop for an extra moment, gazing up into the inky dark and just let all those stars capture me.

Sunday we got up, got everything packed, and headed to a diner for a quick meal. Then it was on to one last hike before we headed home.

We hit up the No Name Trail (that's its real name!), and I think it was even more beautiful then the Hanging Lake trail.

Don't get me wrong, I loved every step of both trails, but this one was quieter, more isolated. It was hiking just for hiking. 

After that it was time to hop in the car and head home. I had to teach that night, and we needed to pick up Daisy. We made one stop in Frisco for lunch, then we ended out trip. I'm so glad Trav suggested this weekend, and we made this happen. I love Gwen and my traveling trips, but it was so nice to be able to 1) camp with Travis, 2) camp in one spot, and 3) enjoy a slower pace for a few days. I can't wait to do it again!