Summer Trip Part 1: Colorado

We enjoyed another epic trip out West this summer! We drove to Colorado Springs and stayed a night in a hotel. The next morning, we drove to Mount Shavano, near Salida, to camp at the Angel of Shavano campground. We met our good friends Kitty and Keith, and their dog Yadi.  Yadi quickly became Maggie's best friend.

Jack enjoyed some reading after the tents were pitched.

Charlie was more than happy to climb the tree to help set up a tarp for rain protection.

It was raining on our first of three nights camping, so we drove in to Salida for dinner at a pizza place.

We love spending time with Kitty and Keith!

It was really cold at night! We were very bundled in our tents.

Originally, we planned to backpack for 2 nights, but the summer monsoons came early in the mountains and that wasn't safe. I was happy to stay at our beautiful campsite.

We drove to Monarch Pass for a hike. Unfortunately, the altitude didn't agree with Maggie. The girls went back to camp for naps and relaxing while the boys hiked.

They encountered some snow on their hike!

The stream at our campsite provided lots of opportunities for exploration.  You can see Jack walking across a log in the picture below. The kids spent a lot of time near the stream.

There was a waterfall a short hike from our campsite.

During the rain one afternoon, the kids and I played in the boys' tent.  I promise Charlie was having fun. He doesn't like to smile for the camera these days.

Hanging out by the campfire...

We went to Buena Vista for a hike one day.

It was a pretty hike. A storm rolled in and we had to decide whether we should push forward or turn around. I really thought we should turn back, but the others decided we could keep going. Luckily, the storm passed and we all made it out okay.

We walked along the river and came across these people surfing. So cool!

We found some living room furniture art outside.

The kids played on this fun climbing rock.

The adults enjoyed a beverage at the Black Burro Bike shop.

Maggie + Yadi

After 3 nights of camping, we made our way to Utah. We stopped at Wolf Creek Pass along the way.

We pulled over on the highway to hike a mile to Treasure Falls.

I love the adventures we take together!

June 2022

June began with Cardinals baseball with friends!

My volleyball team was able to celebrate with drinks after a game. Most of us are teachers and so the summer is the only time we can hang out after a game.

Karen came to visit!

I found this note Maggie wrote about our upcoming vacation. She was excited to go to the Grand Canyon, go backpacking in Colorado, camping in Colorado and at the Grand Canyon, and to see our friends Kitty and Keith!

Jim's band played an anniversary party. It was a great outdoor space and fun party!

Jack rode the entire Katy Trail with a group from SLUH. They drove to the west end and then rode east to that end, camping along the way. We met them one day in Rhineland and brought them lunch. Then, Jim and Patrick rode with them for 20.5 miles to Treloar. Then, Patrick and I rode an additional 6.5 miles to Marthasville where we fed the boys dinner.  We were pretty proud of Patrick for riding 27 miles with the group!

While Charlie and I waiting for the group at Treloar, we rode west on the trail to meet them.

Charlie and I found the group and rode back to Treloar with them.

I'm so proud of this guy for riding the entire 240 miles!

Dinner in Marthasville.

Most of the riders.

A week or so before the ride, the group did a practice ride from St. Charles to Machens (the easternmost trailhead) and back (about 25 miles roundtrip). There is no parking at Machens. So, since they had already done that leg, they decided to stop their ride at St. Charles. Jack and his friend wanted to ride the entire trail in one trip, so they decided to ride on to Machens on their own. They got to ring the bell at the finish.

Swim team!

Our annual running party.

Charlie's baseball team started kid pitch this year. Charlie did a pretty good job as pitcher!

Maggie played softball. 

The second grade teachers came to a game to cheer on their students.

On the hottest day of the year thus far, some friends joined me to ride my age in miles (45).

We had to ride a little extra, but Nancy and I enjoyed a tasty lunch afterwards.

We went to the Cardinal game one night. Some kids brought scorecards. Maggie started to fill out this one, but quickly lost interest.

We moved down to seats behind home plate for the last couple innings. Maggie got one of the shirts that the cheerleaders threw!  It will be a dozen years before it will fit her.

It was a super exciting game. Miles Mikolas was one strike away from a no hitter!

One of the kids got this shot of Jim preparing for our summer trip out West.

Patrick enjoyed baseball under the lights.

He also had a game the next morning.

The boys had a fun season.

To prepare for the backpacking trip we had this summer (that later turned into just camping), we went on hike carrying all our gear and then camped at Silver Mines.

Maggie's pack is about as big as she is!

We found a great swimming area.

You can see Jim and the kids waving at me from the water (I joined them after this picture).

The kids decided to roast some veggies.

We hiked the next morning (without our big packs).

Then, we drove to Elephant Rock.

I love this picture. Charlie is midair. Maggie is quickly turning her head to the camera.

Maggie really enjoyed swim team!

I'm not sure what prompted this pirate outfit, but she wore it well.

We love playing with friends at the pool!

Patrick played a round of golf with a friend.