How to use a Helinox chair according to N (5) and O (2)

There's nothing like a fresh set of eyes on a subject...

latest masterpiece

are you allowed in the tent with that, youngster?

seems straightforward enough - carry on

double duty: chair/table √

spaceships!

rayguns? laser spaceships! things little boys do

lounging like a pro

bullfight?

they did this rather a lot

it's all in the grip...

Rocky Mountain National Park Backpack trip with the Boys

What a difference a year makes. O can (almost entirely) walk the 1.9 miles to our reserved campsite so we both get to use real backpacks – no big kid carrier needed!

this year's backpack - 54 lbs with camera gear - what luxury!

last year's backpack - 75-80ish pounds with O - woof!

completely fearless

This trip was lower elevation and warmer than last year's, so we ditched the kids bulky sleeping bags and all slept under two rectangular bags zipped together as a big quilt.

Clothing needs were also minimal: a set of long underwear, rainwear (top and bottom), warm weather shirts and shorts, a fleece jacket each - simple.

as always, we took it slow (about 1 mile per hour)

great trail. occasionally we would get a hit of that extra-wonderful fir forest smell

very hungry elk do this

with the right tent stake, camp had an unusual convenience built right in (don't pound it in very far or it'll never come out)

got stick? wacka-wacka. things little boys do

see-saw. things little boys do

next day's hike in a light rain

O didn't hike the entire way (2.6mi, one way)

watch the stick buster!

lovely forest

Sand Beach Lake. this place confuses me: only young trees within 10 vertical feet of the lake level. lack of nutrients in the sand? old lake level was higher? questions questions...

got hole?

get in hole

Bluebells

a tasty snack back at camp

they stood facing each other and took turns waving their arms and roaring at each other. things little boys do

love these tiny clips 1

love these tiny clips 2

love these tiny clips 3

next day's hike out

Visiting the new Bear's Ears National Monument - Wow! post2

On one of the busiest US Holidays of the year, we see exactly one other family who came to view the ruins next to camp.

One of our favorite camp breakfasts is Rösti. I first had this in a hut in Switzerland while skiing the Haute Route. The hash-browns come dehydrated so they're really lightweight and compact. Rehydrate them with boiled water, fry them up slowly with lots of butter and olive oil. Patience, patience. They get wonderfully crispy if you can just bring yourself to cook them a little longer...then add shredded cheese (Ementhaler and/or Gruyere are favorites), melt. Finish it off with eggs over the top, poached (by putting a lid on) or stir in. YUM!

 

breakfast is served

 Leisurely, leisurely we got ready to explore around camp...ruins to see, a viewpoint to explore.

off to see the ruins

the desert was blooming

3 structures. two tucked under, one (of many) up on the point (right skyline below tree)

we were told the one on the right is nicknamed "Boulder Tower"

that section of Comb Ridge back there is a presence

I'm a sucker for lichen patterns

the view was spectacular. 180˚ required 17 photos. 

I love cactus flowers. they're incredibly soft delicate and come from a plant that's so hardy and harsh

spotted what looked like a granary across the valley - a stone's throw from camp

I'm thinking it's a tarantula burrow...

back to camp, lunch and reading PeterPan

we pitched the sunshade

 After lunch we took another walk; this time South along the rim

the Mormon Tea was blooming too (aka Ephedra)

yup, it was a granary!

jasper

O's a pretty good walker but...

so colorful

here's one of the things we just love about this area. we had just spent the morning walking over to the viewpoint in this picture (top skyline). we spotted a granary from there, across the canyon. now, from the granary, we see that we were right over at least five more structures. we LOVE the sense of discovery this place gives

desert in bloom...

jackrabbit!

back at camp, it's tree-play time until day's end, things little boys do