Snowshoeing Adventures

These pictures are from a "solo run" I did a couple weeks ago near Conifer.  It was such a beautiful day!  I'm still kind of figuring out snowshoeing.  Snowshoes aren't really a necessity on the trail I went to.  In fact, there were some people walking their dogs their, just wearing their tennis shoes or boots who probably thought I looked like an idiot, but I think my feet and ankles stay dryer with the snowshoes.  If we had fresh snow, I would definitely need them.  And it's just good exercise, if only to have a little extra weight on your feet.

I was walking along the trail on the way down and all of the sudden I saw this young buck walking up the trail towards me.  It was kind of startling at first, then really cool.  I moved backwards so maybe he would walk a little closer.  I got some pictures but it's kind of hard to find the buck.   

I went a couple days later with my sister and some friends, Macquel and Rick, and that day we took a different trail and tried going off trail where we could and it was way fun going in the deep snow on the way down, because you kind of slide gently (and sometimes not so gently, huh, Laura?) down the hill. 

P.S.  James added music to my blog for me, isn't he so cool?!

Christmas Addendum

One of Ohio's greatest gems (besides James):  Smucker's Headquarters

Look at all the companies they have acquired!

I'm pretty sure this is one of the worst pictures of me, EVER!  I am such a cheeseball!

My personal favorite!

My Summer Hiking Goals

So my "new thing" this year is going to be hiking.  I have always loved hiking, and I have this book I got at Costco called, "The Best Denver Hikes," that James and I have been slowly working our way through.  My goal is to do all the hikes in the book before I die, and as of now, I've done 8 out of 30.  If I did the ones on my list below, that would make 16/30.  Maybe I should do more this summer, but this is a start.  Anyone want to join me?  I have included pictures to entice you all.  James has committed to come on some of them, but if the mileage is above 5 or 6, I don't think he'll do it, so I could use some hiking buddies.  I would also like to get into backpacking this summer.  I have never done it before, but I think I would really enjoy it.  So I'd also like to do a couple overnighters this summer.

Abyss Lake

Near:  Idaho Springs/Georgetown/Loveland Pass

Elevation Gain:  3.050 feet

Rating:  Moderate-difficult

Round Trip Distance:  16 miles

Round Trip Time:  7-8 hours

Beaverbrook Trail

Near:  Boulder/Golden

Elevation Gain:  1,830 feet

Rating:  Moderate

Round-trip Distance:  8 miles

Round Trip Time:  4.5-5 hours

Carpenter Peak

Near:  Roxborough State Park

Elevation Gain:  1,000 feet

Rating:  Moderate

Round-trip Distance:  6.4 miles

Round Trip Time:  3-4 hours

Chief Mountain and Squaw Mountain

Near:  Idaho Springs/Georgetown/Loveland Pass

Elevation Gain:  1,800 feet

Rating:  Easy-Moderate

Round-trip Distance:  4.8 miles

Round Trip Time:  3 hours

Herman Lake

Near:  Idaho Springs/Georgetown/Loveland Pass

Elevation Gain:  1,700 feet

Rating:  Moderate

Round-trip Distance:  6.5 miles

Round Trip Time:  4-5 hours

Highline Canal, Platte River and Lee Gulch Trail Loop

Near:  Arapahoe Community College

Elevation Gain:  Less than 100 feet

Rating:  Easy

Round-trip Distance:  7.5 miles

Round Trip Time: 3-4 hours

James Peak and Saint Mary’s Glacier

Near:  Winter Park

Elevation Gain:  2,900 feet

Rating:  Moderate

Round-trip Distance:  7 miles

Round Trip Time: 5-6 hours

Rosalie Peak

Near:  Idaho Spring/Georgetown/Loveland Pass

Elevation Gain:  4,300 feet

Rating:  Moderate

Round-trip Distance:  11 miles

Round Trip Time:  8-9 hours

P.S.  NONE of these pictures are mine, I didn't take them, I don't have the rights to them, sorry if someone gets upset about that.

Christmas in Ohio

James and I went to Ohio for Christmas, to see his family.  We had a great time.  We spent time with family, talking, playing "Hand and Foot," saw "We bought a Zoo," and mostly just ate as much as possible.  We flew with Cooper on the 23rd and came back on the 28th. 

Airplane shot

Dad and Joan's tree

James and his Dad and Cooper's "scary eyes."

The scene of the crime

I just noticed the creepy dog under the table in a Christmas sweater.

James with his stepmom Joan and Dad.

Tired boys

James opening up this crazy, cool clamp from Aunt Peg

James' brother Rob and Rob's friend Jordan

DeLoe's Mom Janet, Me, Marta, Rob, James and DeLoe

Marta's tree

Cooper's favorite thing about Christmas:  a stuffed possum wearing a santa hat.  He quickly removed the ears, then the hat, then ripped open the possum and extracted the squeaker and stuffing.