We were dying to go camping, so we took advantage of a pre-4th fireworks show and escaped up into the mountains on the 4th of July! Back behind Pikes Peak is a gorgeous, quiet campground just past the Crags trailhead. Knowing full well this was a holiday weekend, we went half expecting it to be full, and us out of luck... But it wasn't! In fact, it never filled up! After weeks of 90+ degrees down here in Denver, the 70's in the mountains felt
heavenly.
The gorgeous woodiness of the drive up... Almost there!
Our campsite was perfection! Right across from the bathrooms, no neighbors...
... a tall wooded hill to explore (or throw a ball for Bracken to chase back down!)...
... a tiny stream behind to play in, rinse dishes, or keep drinks cold...
... and a field to the right for the Beastie to romp, full of bluebells!
I got a little wildflower obsessed, as you'll see later... Not bad for a cameraphone!
Hooray for our awesome camping box, built by Grandpa! It works perfectly!
Camp set up, second order of business: FOOD!
That evening we got rained out... kinda hard to cook on a camp stove in the rain! So we fled to town to get some dinner, and pick up a few essentials we had forgotten (Like cocoa! How could we forget hot cocoa?!)
Not the greatest Mexican food in the world, but hey, they kids got free ice cream!
I wish this picture had captured how the woods seemed to glow in the rain...
Columbines! The state flower!
No idea what this is. Kinda looks like strawberries...
Ah, cocoa. It's not camping without it!
After a cold, rainy night (all right fine, I was the only one who was cold) we drove up Pikes Peak. I should have taken some pictures on the way up, but I must admit, it was making me awfully nervous! They need more railings on that highway! Maybe it's because I'm a Mom now, I never remember it being so nerve-racking...
The view from the very top! Over 14,000 feet up! I've looked down on clouds from this peak before...
Never resist a face-hole.
Famous Pikes Peak donuts! (I was the only one who liked them... my family is no fun)
These penstemon were glowing along the sides of the road, such a beautiful color!
Flax, I think...
Mountain golden pea (I looked this one up!)
Joe and his favorite "sparkly" trees, aspens! It runs in the family :)
I love these itty-bitty daisies
Stopped at a rocky spot to clamber and climb on the drive down
How to get the Beast to pose: "Bracken, Squirrel!!"
The view back...
Laying on a rock, watching the clouds roll in... I suspect more rain...
All my boys, in their natural habitat
Pikes Peak vista
Touch the sky!!
Very, very happy birthday dog
I love things like this... ferns growing out of a rock
Look how tall these trees are! And our adorable little car
Bracken's birthday treat: watermelon! I haven't met a dog yet who loves fruit as much as our girlie
Aha! I was right!! The rain is back! Awesome for fire-ridden Colorado, not so awesome for camping. I think we'll head home a bit early.
Just about a perfect trip.
