Some Rocky Mountain wonder

I've lived at the base of the Rockies for my entire life, but unfortunately it was only a couple years ago that I discovered how truly awesome that is. I started going on hikes with my friend Mal in order to be physically fit, and I fell in love. The mountains are so beautiful, and it seems that there are endless trails waiting to be discovered. On top of being breathtakingly beautiful, there is a serenity and a calm sense of security that comes from being away from the frantic pace of normal life.

I also find hiking to be a very spiritual experience. When I am high in the mountains, gazing down and the shiny flecks of human creation, I am reminded of how insignificant we are. We think we are so amazing, and that we do such great things. And then I stand there and look at how small our great accomplishments are in comparison to God's grand creations, and I just have to thank Him for giving me another day to live, breathe, and create.

Now, don't misunderstand me... I'm speaking solely about hiking here, and not camping! As much as I have fallen in love with the mountains, I'm not ready to sleep with them. The person who thinks they can get me to fall in love with cooking, and sleeping, and living in nature has their work cut out for them. But for a day, maybe even two, I love it.

Anyway, all of this was to say, I went on a Hike today. And I loved it. and I took some pics. Brian and I hiked up to Horse Tail Falls, took us about three hours there and back. It was really steep... the ENTIRE way. I think there were two flat spots, that were both about five yards long. Other than that it was steep incline. Yay.. Yay for butt and calf muscles.

Our Final Destination.

"Hey Brian, stand over there and I'll take a pic of you." Code for, I'm dying. I need to find a way to take a break without seeming like a wuss.

 

Another pic from said break.

There was horse poop EVERYWHERE... I only stepped in it once.

La Roca Grande

Aaaaand, a real view. This was not a wuss break pic.

 Also, this is a lesson I learned from today's hike. If I eat crap, I will feel like crap. I've been eating all sorts of junk food this week because I'm leaving soon and I've been saying my goodbye's (I'm a social eater). Well, it caught up with me and I was dying for the first couple miles! Yikes. Time to stop inhaling the ice cream and cookies and cake.