Falling Up

We woke up early Sunday morning.  Well, some of us did.

The trail down took half as long and we clammored twice as fast down the rocky slopes.  Keebler and Kona are in their element with their packs on and a trail to blaze.  It's fascinating to watch.

We felt incredible when we hit the trailhead.  To reward our hard work we stopped by the original Beau Jo's and ate a huge pizza in traffic on I70.  Finished the day with Band of Brothers and Trader Joe's Syrah.  We win.

Missouri Lakes Trail

Some pre-trail java.  The camp coffee press and the camp pillow were my two luxuries I brought for which I am eternally grateful.

 What is that theory about dogs and their owners?

 At least packing up was unexpectedly easy...

Probably the hardest thing I've ever done physically.  I am the weakest link.  Literally the only trail shot I got as I was so intent on 1) not falling over the myriad cliffs into the river, 2) not letting Keebler fall over said cliffs, 3) not letting Keebs eat random animal poop, 4) trying not to be mad at how difficult climbing what are basically rock stairs up a mountain are, a nd 5) in general trying not to pass out.

But when we got to the lake and found our campsite, it was somehow all worth it.

 The lake (click to get the full effect):

 Out:

When we arrived I was so exhausted I could barely walk down to the lake.  I plunged my face into the crystal clear water and almost froze it off.  Then I looked around me, at what I could see having made the trek.  It was difficult to tell what was lake water and what was tears.

Backpacking...ish

We left later than planned and the drive down dirt roads sans signage took longer than expected, so we camped at the base of Missouri Lakes the first night.  It was still an incredible spot that smelled like pine and clean water; there was river running next to it.

 

Pups ended up sleeping at our feet.  Thank the Lord we purchase the 2+ tent.  Seriously.

Almost Camping

Overnight camping just wasn't in the cards for us...but we did have a beautiful drive...

We Bought Backpacks

One small step for backpackers, one giant leap for Kendra.

All Beginnings Have Ends

We were both awake at 5:30am, as were some rather curious Moose (Mooses?  Moosen? eh).

After some quick packing and a final dub, we were out. 

"I want to be a part of it, too.  Also, Kona puked right where you didn't want him to.  Just sayin'." -Keebler

Mostly due to the fact that our breakfast plans were foiled without a camp stove.  To be remedied for sure.

But it also allowed us to complete the 2.5 hour drive home, shower unpack, and head to Delectable Egg by 9:!5, which left us the rest of the day to stop at Target, shop for matresses, pick up Mike's truck in Longmont (we forgot and momentarily thought we'd been robbed when we got home), organize the camping gear into newly purchased lockable tubs (for organization, portability, AND rain-proofing!) on sale at Target (hence the stop), complete all the laundry, hose down half the gear and air out the rest, and still have plenty of time to bike up to Corona's for Mexican food, head back home and enjoy an evening of The Legend of Zelda.

That's how we roll.

Roughing It (Really)

The next morning both of us anticipated different aspects of breakfast, all of which included one thing: utilizing our shiny new pots and pans.  Unfortunately, two hours and a sunburn later, we had neither coffee nor pancakes, but had instead reached a new level of frustration with camp fires.  Pretty sure we even stopped abbreviating "EFF!"

But, that's what being married is all about - rolling with the punches.  And in the end, I exclaimed "Let's just take the wine and leftover cheese and accoutrement and eat in our chairs in the river.  Screw pancakes!"

So that's exactly what we did.  It was closer to lunch time anyway, and heck, it was 5 o'clock somewhere.  Not that we cared - we didn't have anywhere to go.

Just behind the fire pit was a hill that led down to the frigidly beautiful river...

 And a man-made enclave in which our chairs fit like gloves.

 So fitting.

So that's what we did.  We sat in the river, ate cheese, drank good wine, and talked.  About everything.  Plans, dreams, camping, life, school stories, living wills, money, dogs.  Literally, all day.  It was A-MA-zing.

Here's a different view of said awesome campsite.  Because you really do need to appreciate.

The dogs were so beyond tired, because camping doesn't allow for napping most of the day.  Also, Kona exhausted himself pulling his stake out of the ground trying to get to us by the river and eventually another pair of dogs.  Thank goodness he's friendly...

We kept waking them up when they began to attempt to nap beside us; we wanted them good and tired for that night as we didn't want a repeat of being woken up at 4:30 because, and I Dog Quote, "It's Time."

Yes.  I read tail wags.

Once the shade moved away from the Peace Sign and back to our camp site, we moved up to enjoy the river and the puppies at the same time.

I should've taken a photo of the perfect brats and s'mores we enjoyed that night, but I was too relaxed and frankly too tired to care.  We took the pups for a potty-one-more-time, and were snug in the tent before it was even totally dark.  Good thing we'd planned ahead and packed everything we could in the car; the Ranger came by to let us know there had been a bear spotted in the area...so we were slightly concernicus that night.

The dogs, however, couldn't have cared less.  I'm pretty sure Keebler was in dog heaven getting to sleep so close to his Mom.  He'd rearrange himself stiffly throughout the night, but always, always, his head was either right against or on top of the air matress.

And when we did hear what could've been bear rustling in the middle of the night, it was Keebler who growled in defense.  For all the hellfire burning in him, he's a closet sweetie.  Love that dog.

The Poudre

Because my boss is awesome, he said get out by 1 o'clock to head up to our very first camping excursion.  So I ended up getting out at 1:30, picked Mike up, and we were out of Longmont by 3.  It's a good thing, too...but I'll get to that.

We had packed up the Explorer with all our camping gear, backpacks with limited clothing items, bedding, the Dog Camping Kit (like kids but with more hair and less talking back), the new cooler, non perishables, and lots of wine.  I laid out a blanket hoping to fill in the crevices into which Kona could hurl (almost made it) and threw the pups in the back.  When I put them on their leashes, Keebs immediately looked for an opening in the car into which he could jump.  Kona just sat there.  So when Keebs jumped back out as I was about to pick Kona up, I said "AYE!  In the car!"  After which BOTH dogs (to my shock) jumped in the back.

Alright!

About 5 minutes later I heard Kona give a couple heeves and I just pray he's not doing it in the back corner.

Puked in the back corner. 

Pretty much wherever I hope he doesn't is where he ends up losing his breakfast. 

Oh well.  Company car!

Anywho, we hit the Poudre Canyon around 3:30 and start seeing the aftermath of the High Park fires up north.  So sad to see the amount of forest that burned; but what was even more disturbing was the water in the Poudre River. 

It ran black. 

 

Totally freaked me out when I first saw it, and then it occured to me that sitting in the river was quickly becoming a historical wish.  We watched river rafters getting out at one point, and their legs look like they'd rubbed ash all over themselves.

No thank you.

Add that to my already deepening concern that we weren't going to get a spot and relaxation couldn't have been further from my mind.  Except for the more westerly we went, the more relaxed I became.  I don't know why, but the prospect of the entire weekend took a weight off my shoulders.

We passed several US Forest Service campsites, and about 20 minutes away from ours realized we could see the bottom of the river again.  We arrived at Kelly Flats at 4:30 to find the very last campsite available.  It just so happened to also be absolutely perfect.

There was even a fence we utilized to "air out" the puke blanket!  It could not have been more perf in size or location - just down from the potty and water spicket (I refrained from taking photos despite the facilities being surprisingly nice for, you know, basically being a hole in the ground; you're welcome). 

After we set up camp Mike went to work on dinner immediately.  Puppies are like, "WTF?!"  Seriously.

 "WTF, Mom?"

Epic cowboy steaks firepit-grilled with (I know, it sounds disgusting, but it's awesome) cottage cheese and tomato.  Unreal.  You may also appreciate the camp gear.  We purchased two GSI products, the Bugaboo Camper Cookset and the Crossover Kitchen Kit.  Worth. Every. Penny.  These tiny (like, tiny) sets when all packed up unfold to be two pots, a pan, four cups, bowls, plates, and then cooking accessories you don't think about needing!  All small enough that we can backpack (eventually) with them!  It makes my organizational heart so happy.

Kona appreciated the smells...look at that face!  Le sigh...

Oddly enough the dogs wouldn't relieve themselves in the campsite, which I guess was a good thing?  But that meant walking them several times in an attempt to get them to pee.  It offered us ample opportunity to work on leash skills...which turned out to be a great thing.  Keebs and Dat:

After our final evening dub, Mike busted out his camping surprise - a myriad cheeses, crackers, baguette, and dried fruits to enjoy by the camp fire.  Despite the scattered rain, the evening could not have been more beautiful.

Also, I'm pretty sure we went to bed at 9pm.  Fantastic.

Well, It's Official

We're going camping.

Don't call us; we'll call you.

Actually, we won't; where we're going there's no cell service. Yes. That feels as freeing as it sounds.

Don't worry, Mom and Dad. We'll be fine and I'll call you Sunday.

But on the off chance we're not and we have to utilize pictured first aid kit (how they fit 5 days for 4 people worth of first aid in there I'll never understand), my beneficiaries are all in order, and Nar and Du will have to move you out to CO.

Silver lining!