We just bought one of those fun Kelty baby backpacks with the intent of going on a family hike in the mountains this weekend. William loved catching a ride on Daddy's back. He had a huge smile on his face while "test driving" the different models at REI. So the plan was to go up into Rocky Mountain Park on Sunday and do some walking. But as they say, best laid plans... It was in the 90s and sunny down here at home, but by the time we hit Estes Park it was rainy, windy, and in the 50s. We definitely did not plan well for those kinds of temps. Paul thought maybe it was sunny over the Continental Divide so we headed up and over the mountains in search of better weather.

Here we are up at the top, approximately 14, 000 feet or about 2 miles up.

Nick and Ellie didn't seem to notice the first time we made this trip two summers ago. But this time both of them were a little nervous about the height. They kept saying "be careful driving Dad".

One brief sunny interlude. Quick kids, enjoy the sun now!


Poor William who is not a fan of the car seat, only made it out of the car for about 15 minutes in between the rain showers. He found a very valuable stick and was enjoying his short taste of freedom.

Pretty much it looked like this on both sides of the Continental Divide all day. So no hiking for us this weekend. And by the afternoon it had degenerated into a full on lightning storm so we headed for home.


'Tis the season... for the Elk. It's mating season up here in the Rockies. We spotted quite a few today. (I know Paul was secretly eyeing those huge racks. With visions of mounting them on a wall running through his head...)