Durango: Day 5

Since we had dipped our toe into hiking on a trail we found the day before but were not properly outfitted, we set off first thing the next day. That morning Casey and I got up way before the sun did so I could have him at the airport at 6am. He had to catch a flight back home to be at work the next day. So, when I got back to the cabin around 7am, we ate and put on pants and bug spray (very important), and went for a hike.

Ethan carried his flag again and Logan made sure to bring a bag to collect things.

We quickly covered the part we had hiked briefly the day before. Everything was freshly wet with dew and the rain that we'd been having. 

The boys had fun finding things we don't normally see in abundance on trees in our area...like fuzzy moss.

Of course Logan harvested some to take back with him. 

This little slug was just the first of many that we'd see on our hike. They were everywhere...due to the aforementioned wetness all around. 

A lot of the greenery surrounding the trail was very dense and all the plants were wet. Our pants got wet quickly and our shoes were muddy...but we were ready for that. 

One thing surprised us, though...we saw the cabin from the trail down below. The trees and greens were so thick that, from the deck, we had no idea the trail ran right below.

You can barely see the boys through all the leaves!

All the logs that had fallen across the trail were only a fun obstacle for the boys. They were slippery, so they had to figure out the best way to get over each one. 

I loved seeing them huddled together over something else unique they had spotted. Although this time I think it was another slug. 

Most of the plants we saw were just green, but there were a few blooms and flowers here and there too.

And another surprise too...a fairy's house and garden. I just happened to see this out of the corner of my eye as we passed. The boys had already run right by it. They were mesmerized by it, though, and thought it was so cool!

Most of the time, the boys were way in front of mom and me. We didn't mind...we could mostly see and hear them!

I took a minute to take a few detail shots. I love hiking...and not least of all because I get the opportunity to photograph things along the way!

With this next shot, I wanted to remember how green everything was. And how narrow the trail was most of the time. 

One minute we'd be in the thick of the Aspen trees, and the next, the trees opened up and gave us a brief glimpse of the cliffs in the distance.

Enjoying the logs...

I love how Logan used this walking stick. He would not put it down!

We covered ALL of the trail. Even the shoot-offs and options. One time we came upon a flooded part of the trail and had to turn back. But we hiked for hours. It was really pleasant and the boys had endless energy.

After our hike (and after I de-mudded our shoes), we settled down to watch the 3rd Harry Potter movie...we had just finished the book the day before. 

After the movie, we moved on to another exploring expedition down to Electra Lake, which was less than 5 minutes from the cabin. 

We brought a lunch and ate at one of their picnic tables not far from a parking lot. 

After we'd eaten, we went down to the lake to have a look. Even though it was a "grey" day, it was beautiful. 

The boys never see a lake without wanting to throw rocks and sticks into it, so that's what we did next.

I love that Ethan is trying to show Logan how to skip a rock. I love it because it shows how sweet and big-brotherly he is to Logan at times. And I also love it because Ethan is not an expert rock-skipper either! 

When they tired of throwing rocks - actually, they would never tire of that. So, when the adults tired of them throwing in rocks (more accurate), we loaded up in the van again and set off for the other side of the lake to look around. We found another parking spot and got out. There was a very steep "trail" (if you could call it that) down to some rocks that overlooked the lake.

Gorgeous views from about mid-way down.

Logan did not want to wear his jacket that he brought, but he was more than happy to commandeer mine. 

Beautiful views at the bottom too. And the sun peeking out!

Pop took a photo for me of the three of us. I was wishing that Casey could have been there too. We were having such a great time and the weather was gorgeous. By this time, he was already home. 

I was taking a photo of the lake, but got my dad in the photo too...wearing my jacket that Logan discarded around his neck, and carrying his two camera bodies with different lenses. He does not pack light when hiking. 

I let the boys walk down along the rocks a little way and of course they found more rocks to throw in.

I didn't know at the time, but my dad caught this photo of me taking that photo above. 

The climb back up felt more steep than going down. With the boys in crocs, we were not exactly outfitted for climbing. But they did fine. Mimi is at the top there waiting for them. 

And this beautiful, perfect picnicking spot is where we should have eaten lunch had we known it existed. We found it after we came up from the bottom. The guy at the entrance gate led us to believe that the picnic tables we did eat on earlier were the only ones at the lake. Well, we know for next time.