But we are getting out more. And loving it.
Monday we bought a car top carrier. It arrived Thursday late afternoon and we loaded it that night! Matt was going to be out late on Friday and I didn't want to load the car at midnight, so we decided to just leave it parked in the parking garage (which we can barely squeeze out of with a loaded car top, but if you drive just right you can make it!). Then Saturday morning we were on the road at 7:15. We were expecting a 4 hour drive and made it in just a bit less, which is always a nice way to start a trip.
Oh, and the car top carrier meant we could bring some camping gear! Our van is pretty small, and without the car top carrier we can each pack a few changes of clothing and that is it! Exciting for us to have more packing options now!
We met our friends up there and did a little hiking before an afternoon rain storm sent us running indoors.
We had a room at this guest house, and also a tent on the lawn. It was perfect! The guesthouse is at 10,000.... so it was good to get a short hike in on Saturday because we wanted to try something a bit more aggressive on Sunday morning.
There are a lot of goat herds in the area, and also yaks that are grazing at higher elevations during the summer months.
The trails were nicely maintained and the bridges were super cool! We crossed the river multiple times :)
Saturday night we decided to axe our first plan (hotdogs over the fire) and drove into the little town for dinner.
By the time we got back the rain was gone and the mountains peeking out of the clouds and just the right spot for S'mores!
Saturday we started our hike with gobs of energy and snacks and excited children! It was a perfect day!
We had a blast!
We were back at the guest house in time for a mid-afternoon lunch of roasted hotdogs and a second round of S'mores.
This was the view from the guest house, looking towards the hike.
Wherever we went we enjoyed the company of Huan Huan, the guesthouse dog. She was amazing, and charmed all of us. I'm not much of a dog person, but if we lived out in the sticks I would want this dog for my own.
Hanging out around the guest house was a treat too. Rivers to wade in (but not too far in, it was icy cold snow melt and flowing fat!), and rocks to throw and sticks to gather.
Happy Happy Happy. Everyone was just so happy.
Sunday evening the weather was dry and Matt and these little guys slept in the tent that night! So fun for them! Their first tent camping and it was a huge success.
We sat by the river, and sat by the river, and sat by the river a little longer. But eventually the vans were packed and we started the road back home. First up was crossing a 12,000 ft pass - we crossed it on the way in but it was overcast and cloudy. On the way out? Well, the views did not disappoint!
The highest peak below is 20,510 feet! That is crazy high!
I could have spent the first two hours of the drive home hanging halfway out the window taking pictures. I'm not sure we could ever have a day so clear or so beautiful again. It was perfect :)
Big city life isn't a super great fit for either of us. Honestly, I think most of our kids would be happier living out in the sticks. But that isn't in the plans for us right now, and in the meantime we are making plans to head back out to the mountains at the end of June!
No comments:
Post a Comment