Mitchell Trail

Tio Gabi, Kitty Cat, and Louie left for Grand Junction on Sunday morning, so the rest of us headed out for a hike on Mitchell Trail to the Natural Arch.  I enjoyed playing photojournalist with Papa and Gamma’s new digital camera!

The clear blue skies and sunshine allowed for great views of Los Alamos, Pajarito Mountain, and the Sangre de Cristos.  It has been years since I hiked this trail, and it looks quite different from the last time I was there — well before the Cerro Grande fire.  It still breaks my heart to see the burnt trees and bare landscape, more than 10 years later, but I miss it, love it, and appreciate the beauty of northern NM more each time we visit!

Gamma and Papa

Fallen log by the arch

Playing around on logs on the trail — Tio Javi the Sloth, Moco pointing out Crazy Gamma the Tree Hugger, our very own Cousin Itt and Papa posing for an awkward family photo, and a cute shot of Moco.

The lack of snow in Northern NM means that we won’t get any skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing in during this visit, unless we head to Wolf Creek this week.  Looks like we’ll be doing lots of hiking instead… we don’t mind, as we’re soaking up the rays and the fresh air while we can!!!

More Hiking… and a Tree Castle Update

Here are some more cute pix sent from Gamma’s phone from last Friday.

The tree castle is still in progress, as you can see from the picture above.  It’s not really a tree house because it’s not built in, on, or around a tree, but it is between some trees.  And it’s too fancy to just be a regular old tree house, so it has been dubbed a “tree castle”.  It is conveniently located between Papa and Gamma’s house and Mr. and Mrs. K’s house, designed for current and future grandchildren.  Rumor has it there will electricity in the tree castle!  As you can see, the deck is almost complete with a fancy railing.  And there is a real staircase entry.  And double paned windows.  And insulation.  (When I was a kid, we used cardboard boxes, or plastic tarps, sticks, rocks, and rope, to make forts.  This is a legit house, y’all!)

In my opinion, “very accommodating” is shifting to “totally spoiled rotten”!!!

More Biking and Hiking

I have said this before, but Gamma and Papa love to bike.  They ride regularly and sometimes they race in centuries or half-centuries, but mostly they just bike for the enjoyment of the exercise, being outdoors, and seeing a lot of things along the way.  Moco and Bubba seem to be getting into it as well.  They have their own bikes at Gamma and Papa’s house, and they ride every day.  Yesterday, they rode 3 miles in 38 minutes around Papa and Gamma’s neighborhood.  This is quite a feat for these kiddos, especially when you see the ridiculous inclines.  ”Flat” there is like “OMG! Super Steep!” in Midwestern terms.  But Moco is doing awesome on her gear bike, and Bubba apparently does ALL the work on the tandem so that Papa doesn’t have to pedal EVER.  *wink*

When Daddy saw this picture, he said “They totally have her geared up!”  Ha!  (Very accommodating!  I repeat.  Very accommodating!)  We’re excited that the kids enjoy biking, and I hope this means that we’ll be able to do some family riding here in Illinois as well!

Today Gamma took the kids hiking on Canada Bonita trail with Cassie, Ethan, Isabele and Mick (the dog).

There are so many outdoor activities available in the mountains of New Mexico.  Taking a walk around our neighborhood in Illinois doesn’t compare to the options around Gamma and Papa!  I’m so glad they are staying active and having a great time, but I have to admit, I’m hitting the point where I’m really, really missing them!

Another Road Trip!

Gamma and Papa took Moco and Bubba to Durango, Colorado this weekend.

Here is their trip in pictures (sent via photo text messages)…

Loading the Car

Picnic Lunch in Chama

Spoiled Rotten Very Accommodating Grandparents

Moco and a “Friend”

Gamma and Moco

Setting Up Camp

The Main House

Bike Parking Only

Camp Kitchen

Biking

… and Hiking

… and Fishing

… and Swimming

“Roughing It” for Lunch

Riding the Train

Based on phone conversations with the kiddos, they had an aWeSoMe time this weekend!

They are making so many fun memories with Gamma and Papa, and we couldn’t ask for anything more!!!

Adventures in Hiking

Gamma sent these pictures of Moco and Bubba hiking in the canyon behind their house in their new hiking boots.  (Bubba has a shirt that says “My grandparents don’t spoil me, they’re just very accomodating”.  So. Very. True.)

They are headed to Durango, Colorado, this weekend to visit our family friends, Meemaw and Ho-Ho-Ho, and to go camping and fishing and to ride the train on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad!  They are going to have a blast… can’t wait to hear more about these adventures!  I need to remind Moco to blog, too!