Rocky Mountain High

We just returned from another family adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park. The 7 of us woke every morning (naturally!) before 6 AM to arrive at the day's trailhead by 7. We then climbed mountains, forded streams, followed rainbows until mid-day when we ate a brief lunch and hiked back to the car. The views were beautiful and the immersion in nature was refreshing. I expect that the rest of the crew will post more stories and pictures, but I'll leave you with the high and low point of the trip (depending on who you ask).

On our way down from Fern and Odessa Lakes I somehow ended up way in front of everyone else. When I saw a small cave to the left of the trail, I couldn't help myself. I looked back and signalled to Laura, who wasn't far behind, that I was going in. She moved a bit in front of me to watch the others' reactions when I jumped out at them. I waited and waited and finally heard voices approaching. I waited until I saw the tip of a shoe before bounding out of the cave shouting and flailing my arms about. The couple that leapt back in surprise were not my intended victims--in fact they were people I'd never seen before in my life (and I hope I never see again)!! There was absolutely NO WAY to recover from that blunder; I fell to the ground in mortification as they fell to the ground laughing. Oh to be able to disappear in moments such as those! I've decided to act like a grown-up from now on to avoid such faux pas in the future.