We got off to a slightly earlier start today. By noon, we were on the way to Bear Lake – an area that requires special permits to enter – Susan had taken care of the details. We arrived at the Alberta Falls trailhead, and Nico, Lydia, and the grandchildren set out to visit the Falls. It’s a roundtrip hike under a mile, but that can seem like ten miles for people with a short stride. That and it’s all uphill until one arrives at the Falls.
Elise, the older of the two, had her heart set on “climbing a mountain.” It turns out that mountain climbing, in this pediatric context, means scrambling up boulders. Both are respectable pursuits, of course, but they are not interchangeable. Scrambling up rocks is more like hiking than mountain climbing. In fairness, it is easier to make these distinctions at age 74 than at age 6.
The hike to Alberta Falls looked like this.
Susan and I stayed in the car. We’ve both been to the falls multiple times, and we knew that the kids would love it. Susan’s knee issues made trying to hike that trail a fool’s errand. We chilled until our intrepid foursome returned. They reached the falls, and it looked like this.
When they returned, we made a short drive to Bear Lake and then headed home. On the way, I stopped at a little grocery store for pasta ingredients. Nico and Lydia took the girls for ice cream, then to visit to some statues dedicated to the matriarchs of Estes Park, and then took the girls to a miniature play area that had a super slide and a bungee jumping device. At home, Susan and I were spared the terror of their play.
Elise among feminine luminaries of Estes Park.
Your grandgirls are adorable and look rough-and-tumble – a good thing for girls to be!
Yes they are and full of energy and daring. They keep their parents on the go.
Terrific! Great family time!
Tell Susan that my grandchild turned 19
Yesterday!!!! Where have the years gone?
The day was also Margot’s first day of summer vacation, so it was spent with her child, as by mutual agreement.
Auntie Sarah and I will have time to celebrate with my grandchild next week.
🎉🎂🥳
Terrific! Great family time!
Tell Susan that my grandchild turned 19
Yesterday!!!! Where have the years gone?
The day was also Margot’s first day of summer vacation, so it was spent with her child, as by mutual agreement.
Auntie Sarah and I will have time to celebrate with my grandchild next week.
🎉🎂🥳