Colorado Vacation

We spent a few days in Colorado and it was a highlight of the summer for all of us.  Rachel worked as an orientation leader at NMSU all summer and had very little flexibility for vacations so we thought we were not going to be able to take one with her...we purposely kept our plans fluid just in case she could join us at any time and luckily, she surprised us at the last minute and we were able to make it happen that all 5 of us could go together.  I am so thankful that she made that work...I LOVE having us all together in one place.  Hannah and Emma both had friends who moved to the Denver area this year so we used it as an excuse to visit and do some hiking so that they could see their friends.  We stayed in Breckenridge for a couple of days and then in Boulder, where it was just Rachel and us while Hannah and Emma both spent the night at their friends house.  The whole trip was so much fun!  We love hiking in Colorado and the weather was perfect.  Rain only happened in the late afternoon and barely disrupted our plans.  EXCEPT, for one afternoon of hiking while in Boulder when we had the storm roll in right as we got to the top of a hike and had to sprint back down through the rain and lots of scary lighting.  I injured my knee but all was not lost...Matt got some ice and we were still able to walk (slowly) around Boulder and enjoy a nice dinner. In Breck we did 2 hikes and they were gorgeous.  Lots of snow this year meant gushing waterfalls which we all love.  The alpine lakes were my favorite part of both of the hikes.  We also did a bike ride and I am glad we did.  I am not usually a fan but decided it would be nice to do something the girls really love. We rode 30 miles total.  It took 15 miles to get from Breck to Copper Mountain and it was hard, but so so beautiful.  We passed through forests and along streams and it was stunning.  A quick stop for lunch and we headed back the 15 miles which included a refreshing downhill section that everyone appreciated.  I was proud of us for getting all the way to Copper Mountain...even the next day when we all could not sit without grimacing.  Except Matt, apparently he was completely unaffected!

HIKE TO MCCULLOUGH GULCH 

BIKE RIDE TO COPPER MOUNTAIN

HIKE TO MOHAWK LAKE

BOULDER ETC...