Hiking to Heaven?

There is hiking and there is HIKING.  I was invited to join Laurie, Talena and Angie for a hike.  5.5 miles.  Typical hike for me!  Just the right length. Boy, was I wrong.  The uphill was difficult as it always is.  A little steeper and the rocks, especially the loose ones, presented a challenge!  

The views, oh the views!  God's creation at its finest.  

Still smiling here! 

This nice road didn't last long!

Angie was really good at this hiking thing.  She moved faster than me and had time to create some art.  Actually, I think Laurie and Talena could have kept up with her but they were kind enough to hang out with me. 

Worth the struggle, the hard part is over and the view was worth every step.  This is Lake Coeur d Alene in Idaho.  If you look in the bottom right corner you can see a man that carried a baby with him on this hike.  

So beautiful!  Now downhill, the easier part.  NOT.  It was more difficult (for me) than the uphill.  I would have taken some pictures of the decline but I needed my hands to steady me.  Several comments were made by someone about going down and how people fall forward, most fall/accidents happen on the downhill. It was so encouraging!  I did have three slight falls, nothing serious.  The journey down was filled with loose rocks and very steep spots.  Lots of sideways walking.  My friends would find the best path for me to follow.  The path of least resistance.  My legs never got the downhill rest. I was thankful that my buddies were patient with me!  I was the oldest of the bunch.  Can I use that as an excuse?  This hike was classified as difficult.  I think I will stick to moderate hikes!  I did it and I survived.  It always feels good to accomplish something difficult.  

Colorado Getaway October 2020

A visit to the Doolittes in Colorado was a great getaway.  Family is the best!  Wildlife abounds in Colorado even on the golf course while Keri and Mark are golfing. 

Ryland has grown so much since the last time I saw him.  He isn't a little boy anymore!

Keri and Mark are having a house built and this is the progress that has been made.  It is on 1.3 acres of land and they have a beautiful view. 

This is one part of the view but not the most fabulous.  Not sure I got a picture of the fabulous one.

King of the mountain. 

Easton and Bentley!  

This is the first of several pictures of Bentley just watching me! 

We took a hike up to St. Mary's Glacier.  Easton took his sled because the last time they made the hike you could sled on the glacier.  The hike is about a mile up at 10,000 feet elevation.  Out of breath for sure.  

Ready, set, go!

Lots of rocks to maneuver over!

Well, there is a story here.  We took a wrong turn and instead of turning around and going back (it wouldn't have been very far back) Keri decided we would climb up the side of a mountain.  That could be an exaggeration.  It was a short distance but very steep, thus the crawling.  Instead of helping Keri took a picture.  

You can see the glacier in the distance. 

Snow, I love snow. 

More rocks. 

We made it to the glacier.  It was almost melted so no sledding for Easton.  The last time they were at the glacier the whole area you see was full of snow.  There was an attempt to get to the rock in the lake but the rocks were wet and unstable.  

So a smiley picture on the rocks will have to suffice. 

The road less traveled, Easton.

If you can't sled you pretend to sled. 

Let's go!

The hike back down was much easier!  Off we go to Buffalo Bill's grave sight. 

Playing the part. 

Buffalo Bill has quite the resume! 

His wife Louisa was buried with him. 

People were throwing money on the grave.  We thought is was odd until we read this.  Great story about the buffalo head nickels. 

Buffalo Bill Cody at first wanted to be buried in Cody, Wyoming.  There was some controversy over his burial site. Many thought he should be buried in Cody but this shows that Buffalo Bill changed his mind and wanted to be buried in Colorado.  

Buffalo Bill and his wife Louisa. 

We stopped at the gift shop.  The focus here seemed to be the saddle and horse not the woman herself. 

Our view on the way home. 

And here he is again.  Keri gets his attention this time. 

I see you Bentley. 

Bentley is a great dog!  Well, trained and very friendly.  

This was a great getaway.  The boys had a break from school.  Keri and I did some craft things. Love this family!