Irene the Retriever

As you just read, we spent the weekend in Estes for the Great Duck Race. While we were there, we learned something new about Irene -- she loves the water!! We kind of knew that already, because she loves jumping in the shower when it is on, and she likes the sprinklers too, but this was a whole new level...

We introduced her to the creek where the ducks were floating down... boy was she excited to jump in -- that's my puppy, little fearless Irene!

Mmmmm...Rubber Duckies!

Somebody had to help those ducks that got stuck along the way, and Irene volunteered. She'd pick them up in her mouth, and then we'd say "drop it" and she'd drop it back into the river. What a smart dog!

Got one!

She wasn't scared of the river, but she seemed to know not to go too far in... what a smart dog!

"This is so much fun guys!"

Alberta Falls

We did another hike on Sunday. It was to beautiful Alberta Falls. Another beautiful day for a hike with family!

Estes Park

As the summer quickly draws to a close, Rob and I spent the weekend in Estes. We got up there Friday night to get ready for a big hike on Saturday morning. Then on Saturday morning my mom, dad, Rob, and I went up Trail Ridge Road to the Ute Trail. It was surprisingly cold on top...

For a few miles, it was flat -- we even gained about 400 feet in elevation.

But after that, it dropped straight down! It was down down down, not like the normal National Park trails with switchbacks, but it was an old Ute trail, so it just went straight down. I couldn't take my eyes off the trial unless I actually stopped.

Even though it was steep, it sure was pretty!

Blue Colorado Sky!

Come on Spring!

Last weekend was beautiful! And I mean beautiful! It makes me so excited for spring!!

On Saturday, it was super windy, but that didn't stop us from taking a trip up to Estes Park to celebrate my Dad's birthday. It was really beautiful weather up there too -- and as we were sitting by the back patio eating some guacamole, some elk wandered into the field. This was the view from the patio -- pretty nice entertainment!

We weren't the only ones who thought it was quite entertaining! Eve was fascinated and watched them intently through the glass.... Eve says, "Please Mom, I'll be good, I just want to play with them!"

Bailey didn't quite see what all the fuss was about, but he decided to check it out too....

On Sunday we went on a hike by Twin Owls. The trial was muddy and icy, but the views were beautiful!

On Sunday I came home and enjoyed sitting in the sun for a few minutes, before taking in some sunshine and actually physically running to Target! It was so nice we even aired out our house for a while! Yeah for sunshine!

Wildlife in Estes

This weekend Rob and I went Estes again. I was hoping to see some big wildlife (like a bear), but no such luck. Although I did see some wild turkeys. I guess they are rather rare, so that was exciting. They didn't ever fluff up their feathers though -- I looked a little bit online, and it looks like the females have the black heads and males have red heads... maybe these were all males.




We also saw a beautiful blue-jay.
Although I didn't see any bears, I think I heard one at night -- I woke up at 4, and it sounded like someone was banging on a metal pan. My mom had said that the bears try to get into the dumpster. Next time I hear that I'm dragging Rob out of bed to go peek outside! I did look out the window but I didn't see anything!