West Peak Trail

Every year on our annual family vacation to the Spanish Peaks, we try to plan a hike. There are always the small hikes- Lover's Leap, the meadows, Box Canyon- but we also try to do a longer one.

Our cabin is about 1/2 mile from the Wahatoya Trail Head, on the north side of the West Peak. The trail splits off and goes up to Bullseye Mine (in pink) or goes between the two peaks. I have hiked both ways. This year, we decided to tackle West Peak Trail, on the southwest side. Here is a description my Aunt Diana found:

 

I will try to go easy on the pictures, but even the view from the parking lot was beautiful!

At the trailhead (minus my dad and his 3 siblings):

At this point, the summit looks unreachable... at least a lot further than 2.5 miles.

Since I was carrying Mayer, I decided just to keep a steady pace rather than try to stay with everyone else. (Besides I was the chief photographer.)

Even though Mayer kept telling me to go faster and to stop taking so many pictures, it proved to be a good strategy. We weren't bringing up the rear for too long before we caught up with most of the group.

There was still quite a bit of snow on the trail.

Lily decided it would be fun to get as many of us as she could with snowballs. Most of us were not amused!

The views were just so beautiful!

Most of us (11 out of 15) made it to the timberline. My niece, proclaimed she was, "Queen of the World!" I was so proud of Tate for making it so far. Michael carried him a few times, but most of the time he walked. Mayer told me, "thank you carrying me, mommy!" (insert heart melt)

Then came the daunting mile to the summit of the peak. Mayer had no interest in going any further. He was afraid he was going to fall in a hole. Thankfully, my family walked back with the boys so Michael and I could go on. Besides there wasn't any way I could have carried him up much further.

These were my hiking partners- Michael and my brother-in-law, Tom.

My dad and Uncle David wanted documentation that they made a valiant attempt to get to the top. (Look carefully in the green circle.)

We saw a muskrat, awesome scenery and some ice formations.

There was some sort of a path, but it was hard for me to follow. Michael and Tom would occasionally call down to me to say there was an easier path than the way I was going. Then I lost sight of them.

I kept going for a while, but then I got discouraged. I kept thinking, "by the time I get to the top, they will be ready to come back down." I was really upset with them for leaving me so far behind. I occasionally paused to take pictures, but I never really stopped and they kept getting further away.
When this guy started circling around me, I decided that was my cue to turn back.

I was so close to the top (edited: Michael says the pile of rocks in the top right corner is not the top, so not as close as I thought), but I was so frustrated that my hiking partners left me behind. It was a hike I was excited to do with my family, not by myself!

On my way down, I could see my dad and Uncle David, so I hoped they could see me if something happened. (They couldn't.) When I get really mad, I cry which is not a good idea when you are looking at this:

It doesn't look that bad from this angle, but there is a ridge and you can"t see the snow. I slid down the shale several times on my rear end (which, by the way, was blistered from my 30 day ab challenge), including through some snow. For some reason, the markers someone had painted to mark the path stood out for me better on the way down. (Ironically, most were hearts and at that point, I was not feeling the love!)

I met my dad and Uncle David at the timberline. We didn't have to wait long before Michael and Tom were down too. The trip back to the parking lot seemed longer than the trip up. I blame my cousin, Morgan... since she had mentioned a bacon cheeseburger from the Dog Bar, on the trail earlier that morning, I couldn't get the thought out of my mind!
I know I will get the opportunity to try again. My Aunt Diana and I have already made a pact to make it to the West Peak summit together.

I hope when the boys are old enough, I will be able to do hike with them.

Wordless Wednesday: International Babywearing Week

 (Photo courtesy of Hutchinson Public Library)

It's a family affair: Aunt Amy babywearing.

Daddy babywearing

After 4 yrs, he's almost too big for babywearing... 40 lbs in Organic Ergo. :(

 I spy 2 Ergos!

Uncle Austin babywearing

Happy International Babywearing Week!

Past babywearing week posts: 2011 and 2010.

The Color Run

On Saturday, I "ran" my first "5K". I use the term "ran" because there were some points when it was impossible to run with so many people. The 5K is also in quotes because while The Color Run is advertised as "The Happiest 5K on the Planet," according to my running app, it was only 2.5 miles. Michael's also showed the same, so it wasn't just me.

 The boys wearing their "Color Runner" sweatbands at check-in. It was only about 46 degrees. The coldest part was standing in line waiting for the race to start and for our wave/ heat (not to be confused with a heat wave- ha ha) to move to the starting line. We went to line up about 1 hour before the official race start time. I would say we were probably in the middle of the pack.

 This is the view behind us and there were equally as many people in front of us too.

 

Our family pre-race

 Our Team, named 3G because 3 generations of our family were participating! (Left to right standing: my mom, my brother, my aunt and my sister-in-law)

We spent pre-race taking pictures, trying to keep warm and doing our best to entertain the boys. It was a long wait because they were excited, but tired, cold and bored. Both boys wore swimming goggles to protect their eyes from the color dust.

I'm not sure if we were in the third or fourth wave/ heat. They were starting us every 5 minutes in groups of about 1,000. Michael, Amy (my SIL) and I were running; my mom, Austin, and Aunt Diana were walking. Tate was riding in the stroller/ running and Mayer was in the Ergo Sport.

We covered the Ergo with a white t-shirt to help protect it from color. (BTW, Happy International Babywearing week!) Originally, he was going to ride on my brother's back, but he was so fussy before the start we moved him to the front so Uncle Swan could talk to him. It worked out much better because he didn't want to keep the goggles on the whole time. Since he was riding in the front, Austin was able to put the goggles on before the color stations and take them off after. He was also able to cover Mayer's mouth so he breathed in less color dust. Tate covered his mouth with a bandana during the color stations.

 At one point, the race course circled around and there were participants on both sides of the street going different directions. After the race start, we didn't think we would see the walkers again until the finish. We were so surprised to see them on the cross street! Tate got so excited when I yelled his name. Michael, Amy and I all ran past and gave him a high five.

When we finished our run, we turned around and walked back about 1/2 mile to wait for the walkers so we could finish the race as a team/ family. Tate ran with Michael and I carried Mayer.

 I'm so glad we went back to finish the race together because the end of the race was the most fun!

 Mayer did NOT like the color on his hands and when we gave him his color packet to throw, he started to eat it! Tate LOVED the color. My mom told me Tate was so excited when they got to the blue color station that he asked if he could roll in the color! (He saw some others doing it and blue is his favorite color.)

 I have been training for a 5K and even though the route wasn't really 3.1 miles and it was impossible to run the entire course, I'm so glad I chose a family run for my first race!! We are doing another family run in 2 weeks. This one will be in our Halloween costumes. 

Now, I need to find a timed race for me. I think it will help me keep focused if I have a time to beat. For me, running is no different than swimming when it comes to training. I need a goal to keep me going. I have had several other runners make some suggestions, but they are both in 2013 and both look overwhelming for someone that has only been running since July! I mean, seriously, I just ran 1 mile without stopping for the first time 3 months ago! Here are the suggestions I've gotten: Warrior Dash and Run For the Rocks half marathon. The Warrior Dash requires leaping over flames. I have zero "ups" and would roast for sure!

And speaking of overwhelming, I don't know if he's serious, but Michael keeps talking about Pike's Peak! Is there any way to train for that in Central Kansas?! I mean, I have enough trouble breathing when the course is flat. 

 As a beginner, I think I should stick to what I am comfortable with and right now that is 3.1 miles... maybe a little more (but I sure don't complain when it's a little less).

Project 366: Day 112-113

 Day 112: The Great Cloth Diaper Change

Thank goodness for baby-wearing! Mayer wanted to be held while Michael and I were trying to get things ready for the busy day. Luckily he was happy in the Ergo!

 The Great Cloth Diaper Change at Sweet Cheeks, LLC in Wichita, KS. I submitted the picture to GroVia in an attempt to win 1 of 1000 free diapers they were giving away for the event. Unfortunately, the first time I sent it, I had the wrong email address and I think I missed out.

 Mayer watching Tate's soccer game.

 Tate and I practiced soccer, in the backyard, after his game.

 

 Day 113: First Bike Ride

Mayer got his first ride in the trailer. Whenever we've gone on bike rides before, Tate rode his bike and I either pushed Mayer in the stroller or wore him in an Ergo. The wind ended up being pretty chilly, but he seemed to enjoy it. We rode 9 blocks to my brother's and sister-in-law's to check their chickens for them.

 On the way home, Tate decided he'd rather ride in the trailer with Mayer. Michael's bike had a flat, so he walked... he also attempted to ride Tate's bike! The picture isn't very good because both of us were moving when I took it.

 I found these at the store. I LOVE dill (it's a serious addiction according to my family)! I must say they are pretty tasty. Even Mr. Picky, Mayer, likes them. Between the 4 of us, they didn't even last a week in the cabinet!

 Tate wanted to learn how to "hot-scotch." He asked me what the rock was for and I didn't actually know. I searched for the rules and I very surprised to find so many! Instead of trying to explain, I just let him make his own.