My Favorite Hikes

If I had to choose my favorite thing about living in Colorado it would be the hiking.  I really enjoy hiking.  But the window for perfect hiking is small.  This summer snow is still covering the Continental Divide!  Right now hiking is spectacular, especially if we do a trail with wildflowers.  But school starts in less than a month so that leaves a pretty small window.  Of course there is always winter hiking and fall hiking.  And even spring hiking if you don't mind the wet and the cold.

People often ask me what my favorite hikes are. I figured it would be efficient to make a list so you it is easy to share. My Favorite Hikes (Not ordered in rank order because that would just be impossible.)

The first 5 are in RMNP
1.  Nymph, Dream and Emerald
2.  Black Lake
3.  West Creek Falls
4.  Glass to Sky Pond
5.  Lawn Lake
6.  Lake Dorothy
7.  Lake Isabelle
8.  Jame's Peak
9.  Heart Lake
10.  Mount Flora (tied with Butler Gulch)

And too far for a day hike but worth the trip- Blue Lake near Ouray

A few questions about what kind of hike you want...
Lake or Summit?
Sunrise or Sunset or something in between?
Escape or workout?  This is where my husband and I need to compromise.  My number one goal is escape. I want to get away from people and bikes.  He wants to burn calories.  So some days are workouts and some days are all about the Zen.

Most important tips:
1.  Go early- you beat the CROWDS and the CLOUDS.  Especially in the summer the weather pattern often starts with a blue sky and the clouds build in the early afternoon.  For hikes above tree line you don't want to be hiking when the lightening rolls in. Leaving early increases the odds of great weather while also having more of the trail to yourself.
2.  Pack your ten essentials
3.  Layers- there is a quote in Colorado...."If you don't like the weather wait 15 minutes". This is even more true while hiking.  On some hikes I start with hat and gloves, put on a raincoat and finish with shorts.  At a minimum. Always have my pack-able down along with hat, gloves and raincoat in my pack.
4.  Elevation matters- notice the start and end elevation.  If it is more than 2000 feet it will be a workout no matter how short or long it is.  If the destination is over 10,000 feet the air will be thin.

What's up next?
Island Lake and Ice Lakes near Silverton
Mount Chiquita and Ypsion
Mirror Lake (Backpacking)

 My favorite resource (although it is a bit dated) is Protrails.  I also like to read trail reports the week before I do a hike because often I will be aware of something that might need my attention.

Happy Mother's Day

As I sit down to write my mom a card for Mother's Day I am reflecting on all that she has taught me.  Here are some things that come to mind in no particular order:
1.  Family is everything  
She has always been there for me and raised us to do the same. Just about every decision she has made was based on what would be best for the family.  Her loyalty to family- both near and far is gigantic. 
2.  Life is for the living 
My mom has certainly had her share of tragedy and hardship.  My sister died when she was only 20 and ten years later my mom became a widow to the love of her life.  She could have become a sad lonely widow and no one would have judged her.  But she has always said "Life is for the living."  While she always remembers and honors loved ones who have gone before us, she wakes up ready to make every day count.
3.  If you lose something,  pray to St. Anthony
My mom's faith is very deep and very strong.   From childhood whenever I lost something her response would always be did you pray to St. Anthony?  He always helps me.  Now I find myself giving the same advice to my own children.
4.  Usually when people are mean it is out of jealousy
This one took some time to make sense.  When I was growing up and my mom said this I really did not believe but now that I see similar events through adults eyes I see she was right.  It has helped me not to take hurt personally because usually when someone is being mean it is their own issue, not mine.
5. When you are cooking, the most important ingredient is love. 
One of my students told about the traditional way to make tamales.  It is not just the ingredients but she said everyone needs to gather together with love.  She said the one time they were arguing when they made them they did not turn out.  I believe this.  Because sometimes I will make something with my mom's recipe and it just doesn't taste the same.  There is something about the love she puts into it that always makes it just right.
6.  Laughter can see you through almost every single situation.
My mom tells the best stories and many are to retell a funny teaching story.  Many dinners were highlighted with one of her funny and loved-filled stories.  She taught me empathy and love and a love of storytelling with every story that she told. 

There is a lot more I can say I learned from my mom but this is a good start for now.  Because if I wait any longer Mother's Day will be over!

Circa 1972:  My mom smiling with 5 kids under the age of six!

This is What Determination Looks Like!

My daughter did not find the sport that brought her joy until she was a freshman in high school.  First we had a long tour of sports.... cross country, soccer, gymnastics, lacrosse (I was even recruited as an assistant coach even though I knew NOTHING about any sport with offense and defense.)  Then in middle school she tried volleyball and track and field.  I began to wonder if there was a sport for her.  When she was in 8th grade, one of her friend's father suggested swimming and she decided to give it a try.  The summer before freshman year she went to a few stroke clinics and learned to do a flip turn.  I wondered if she would stick with it when the real season began- six days a week in chlorine sounded like a demanding schedule.  But with every week she loved it more.  She was not a stand out but the coach explained at the start of the season that anyone with perfect attendance to all practices and meets would letter.  At the end of the 4 month season Laurel was the only girl on the team with perfect attendance.  Over the next summer Laurel again went to some off-season practices and continued to enjoy it.  She still hadn't found her event but just tried whichever race they needed someone for.  About halfway through this season each girl had a private session with the coaches to discuss goals.  Laurel said her goal was to make state.  Her coach said let me crunch some numbers and I will get back to you.  Later that night she texted her and said I think you can do it.  You need to drop 18 seconds in three weeks.  So think of it as 6 seconds a week.  Anyone in swim knows seconds can be tough to knock off, even in a long distance event like the 500 free,  but the coach had the girls visualize meeting their goal.  Laurel closed her eyes and pictured the time she needed for state and just kept picturing it happening in her mind.  At the next meet she dropped six seconds.  Then she dropped nine so going into conferences she needed to drop 2 seconds from her 200 and three seconds from her 500 in order to qualify for state.  Justin, Owen and I left work and school early so we could watch the conference meet.  The 200M free is the second event.  Her split was really fast.  I kept adding the numbers and tried to guess if she would do it or not.  As she came down with her last lap I looked at the clocked, the entire team was cheering and yelling.  She got 2:13.23.  She qualified for state.  I was so happy for her.  99% hard work is what got her there.  It is hard to believe that 18 months ago she had never even done a flip turn and now she is going to state for two long distance events.  What a fun ride it has been this season!