Run Baby, Run

Riley participated in the Running Club at school this fall. For nine weeks they met every Tuesday and Thursday before school. After a warm up they would run around the school and the park next door. The goal was for each child to run the length of a marathon over the course of the two months. And with the encouragement of some great coaches, Riley did it! 

One of the coaches made the comment to me that all the little kids that participated had one of two demeanors while they ran: they were playful and goofy, making up games as they ran; or they were martyrs about the whole thing, acting like every step they took might be their last. She told me that Riley was the only exception: she was serious and focused every time.

Mt. Evans

Scot's parents visited us over Labor Day, and it seemed like a good time to get another 14er under our belts. This time it was Mt. Evans that we hiked.

It was cold, and the path was rocky, but the kids were troopers, and all of them made it to the top without complaint.

After posing for these group pictures, Tyson informed me that he needed to pee. Now! Asher was also with me, but everyone else had wandered a little higher up. So, not wanting to waste any time, I took both boys with me and booked it down the mountain. The group of college kids that was hiking down just ahead of us accidentally veered off the path at one point, and we mistakenly followed them. Things got a little dicey when we had to scramble down a steep part to get back onto a lower section of the trail. I explained the them why we were hustling, and they were extremely helpful in helping/packing the boys down the rocks when necessary.

In the ruins of Crest House, a ranger did a presentation on how to identify mountain goats and bighorn sheep. He had a lot of visual aids, and the kids were quite entertained, especially when Riley was invited to sport a bighorn sheep hide.

On our drive back down the mountain we were able to put our new knowledge to use when we saw this mountain goat right off the road.

Adventure Day: Daniel's Park

Our kids had so much fun climbing on rocks any chance they got this summer. I wanted spend our last adventure day of the summer doing just that. We found a hillside nearby that is full of climbing-sized rocks. It had rained early that morning, but the sun was shining by the time we headed out. The rain gave the kids the added bonus of puddles to splash in. I think they could have stayed all day, if I'd let them.

Garden of the Gods

Colorado is not lacking in beautiful scenery, but I think Garden of the Gods, in Colorado Springs, is one of the most amazing places I've ever been. The rock formations are incredible! It was our last stop on our three day camping adventure.

The kids had a lot of fun climbing on the rocks. Even Asher, who has been more timid in the past that his big sister, got into the fun.

A rattlesnake crossing the path as we headed back to our car was an unexpected surprise.

Florissant Fossil Beds

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument was a 30 minute drive from where we were camping. The area is full of fossilized redwood trees. The process of fossilization was unique, and instead of looking like rocks, these fossils look like trees, but feel like rocks.

After completing a few projects and activities, including a short hike, and watching a movie that taught us about the fossils, the kids were sworn in as Junior Rangers, and took an oath to protect Florissant Fossil Bed National Monument.

Near the visitors center is the homestead of one of the early settlers to the area. We were able to do a little exploring there too.

Last Track Meet of the Summer

The season's final track meet was much less casual than the other three. Each kid was only allowed to compete in three events. Like the previous meets, the winners of each heat were given ribbons, but they also timed these races, and announced the top six in each event/age group. Riley took home a first place ribbon for her heat in the 50 meter dash, but didn't do so well in the 100 and 200.

Riley's track meets were a lot of fun for the whole family. As I hoped, after all those practices and meets, she still enjoys running. In fact, she chose to participate in her elementary school's running club this fall. Over the course of the next couple of months, they'll meet together two mornings a week to accumulate 26.2 miles, the length of a marathon.

Adventure Day: Lair o' the Bear

For Adventure Day number 5 we explored Lair o' the Bear. It's an open space area surrounding Bear Creek. There were plenty of places to play at the edge of the water, and several short hiking trails on both sides of the creek.

I picked up some inexpensive pith helmets and binoculars early in the summer. I decided this was the perfect time to pull them out to complete the sense of exploration.

After a half mile of hiking, we stopped for a picnic lunch and visited with some other hikers. It was a fun place, and we'll definitely go again ... maybe with swimsuits next time, so we can really get in and play in the creek.

On Bear Lake

It wouldn't be a trip to a lake for me if it didn't include waterskiing. We got on the water fairly early, but unfortunately it was not a good morning, weather-wise. When you only ski once every three years, you take what you get.

After a couple of hours on the boat our kids played on the rocky beach and ate lunch while other cousins took their turn out on the water. This day definitely qualified as Adventure Day #5.

Explora

We had heard a lot about Explora, Albuquerque's Science and Children's Museum. After we visited this trip, Scot and I were asking each other why we've never been before. There were a lot of stations to learn about light, air, water, color, movement, etc. and nearly all of them were interactive.

I can honestly say it's probably the most fun my kids have had at a museum. Even the elevator was unique.

But the fun wasn't just for the kids. All the adults in our group got in on the fun by riding a bicycle back and forth across a tight rope.

We would recommend this museum to families with kids of any age, and will definitely be returning next time we're in town.