This rock had to fall sometime. Thankfully not the day we were there.
We’re back from Colorado and all that’s left is the vacation hangover and a few pictures. But first, I thought I’d share a few valuable mountain-hiking tips, made possible by my vast experience, aka a 4-mile hike the day before we left. 
1. Don’t worry about conditioning. You can always blame your shortness of breath on the extreme altitude.
2. Be careful of falling rocks.
My husband was accosted by this little guy the second he poured out a handful of peanuts.
3. Stay hydrated…but not too hydrated, especially if you’re a female. If you know what I mean.
4. Keep in mind that the scenery isn’t nearly as interesting to a 9yo boy as the piles of horse poop on the trail.
5. Guard your nuts.
That’s it for the advice…you’re ready to go on your very own mountain adventure now.
And because I no longer get to share “what I did last summer” with my peers in a dreary classroom on the first day of school, I’ll subject you to a few more random Colorado pics.
Snow in August. This was taken on the way up Trail Ridge Road:
This is what it looks like on top of a mountain:
Elk alert! (All the dots in the center of the photo are elk):
Pretty flowers. Professional photographer I’m not, but these make me happy:
Our hiking trail followed the Big Thompson River the whole way:
This is “The Pool,” which was the end point of our hike:
Proof that we made it to the end of the trail:
The beasts we left at home were not thrilled:
Okay, that’s it. I promise it’ll be safe to come back to my blog…I won’t bombard you with any more vacation pictures. At least not until I get back from Florida in October.
That seems like a really “cool” vacations. Loved your tips especially the elevation one! Seems like you had a great family vacation.
Awesome pics. And I’d probably be #4 and I’m way past 9.
I love your rules for hiking in the mountains. My husband once had a chipmunk crawl right into his backpack to get to the main source of the trail mix. Pica’s have been known to come close enough to snitch a few nuts as well.
I love rule number 3 as well. The female part is a bit trying if you need to go in the bush. Not as easy to find a place to go and more obvious what you are doing to anyone who happens to come along.
I love your pictures and your beasts are wonderful looking. My two would not sit so close together.
It breaks my heart that the promoters of the concert drove Michael Jackson into the ground and caused his fall. The crew should have seen he was sick I could see it myself in the movie. Well I hope they enjoy there death money.