Hiking partners

We have taken every opportunity this month to get out and explore... even if it's just in our back yard. Fortunately, our back yard is quite picturesque!

~ MEEKER ~ 

Hamp & Sam aren't always initially the most willing hiking partners.

In fact, they usually protest and whine from the first mention of a hike until about 10-15 minutes in.

But then.... ahhhh, then.

The sweet transition into having fun without them even realizing it!

And the ultimate gratitude comes eventually when Hamp inevitably finds a way to actually THANK me for taking him on a hike! That, and a great view is always worth the effort.

For the record, Gabe is always a willing hiker... as is Mojo!

 

 

~ ASPEN ~

Between soccer games in Aspen we got to stop by one of the most photographed spots in the state. 

The Maroon Bells are beautiful mountain peaks surrounded by excellent hiking and camping areas. 

Or, if you're Hamp & Sam - excellent "throw rocks in the water and make funny faces and get slightly sunburned and run around barefoot and get wet" areas!

 

 

~ RIFLE ~

Then another beautiful Sunday we decided to finally climb all the way up to Rifle Arch. 

The boys and I had been before but fell short of the actual arch due to me being a pansy. But I hiked up (pun intended) my big-girl pants and scaled the last 100 vertical feet or so of boulders to accompany the boys - and Gabe! - to the shadow of the Arch. 

Mojo & Dado waited patiently at the trail terminus below us and we all enjoyed a nice, fun hike.

 

 

 

~ MEEKER ~

Even when it's not a full-family trip, I still love to squeeze in a quick jog around our backyard trails - and usually with my very best trail buddy, Gabe. He wanders & sniffs and I am afforded a few moments of quiet time and views like this: