fall colors

Sometimes the best place to enjoy fall colors is in your own backyard.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Cub Lake Hike

I was itching to go to the mountains last weekend and was lucky enough to steal away for a day hike all by myself.  It was just what I needed!  The weather was gorgeous.  It turned out to be the big Elk Fest weekend, but it wasn't too crowded, and there were tons of elk.

happy thanksgiving!

steamboat

The girls had a 4 day weekend last month, so we decided to take the opportunity to go to the mountains.  It was the first trip since our epic move across the country that I swore would be a once-in-a-lifetime drive.  We are not a road-trip family.  Not at all.  This 3.5 hour road trip was no exception.  I think it felt like we were in the car 8 hours.  It was a little dramatic.  I'll spare you the details.

I still think it was worth it.  The scenery was gorgeous.  I mean drop dead gorgeous.  Taking in the beauty of the mountains is like food for my soul.  I love living in Colorado.

As we climbed up the mountains, we passed through Fall and Winter and then ended up back in Fall.  The top of the first pass was just breath taking.  Maybe anything at 10,000 feet above sea level is breathtaking.  I wanted David to pull over, but we had just hit an icy patch in the road, and he was more concerned with keeping us alive than capturing the awe-inspiring moment.  I still regret not stopping.  It was amazing.  You'll just have to take my word for it.  It had just snowed.  The clouds were sort of hanging off the mountain...you can imagine it.  

Anyway, here's a little glimpse into our trip.

Even though I took my huge, honkin' SLR, I still used my iPhone for most of the trip.  I think I really like it for scenery shots!

We did a little hike up Fish Creek Falls.  Didn't make it all the way.  I'm okay with the fact that we can't finish any hikes right now.  I figure as long as we keep it fun and enjoyable now, our kids will have good memories of hiking and someday we'll be able to finish them.

So, you see that white mist on the left part of the photo?  I swear it could be an optical illusion.  What do you think it is?

The way I was looking at the photo, I thought it was a little black cloud with some white mist.  Yeah, yeah, go ahead and laugh at me.  That's exactly what my husband did when I told him that a strange cloud had descended upon my photo.  It was misty, and I can still see it if I look just right.

But, it's actually my glove in front of the lens.  I can't tell you how long I laughed at myself when I realized he was right.  

He has stopped arguing with me about things like this.  He just gave me an incredulous, playful look when I told him I was sure it was mist.

Here's the pass on the way back home.  We pulled over this time.  Still pretty breath taking, I think!

Above shot: iPhone 4s.  Below shoot: Canon 40D.

I think I like the iPhone shot better.  

If you're on Instagram, you might have already seen a lot of these photos.  I've been enjoying posting there the past few months.  You can follow me here.

We hit winter on our way back home and pulled over so the kids could play.  

Colorado in the fall {Estes Park}

We were so lucky to be able to take a trip back to Colorado a few weeks ago.  Our timing was perfect (with no credit to us!)--we just happened to hit it right as the leaves were at their peak, and just before the first cold front and hints of snow hit.  It was an amazing week.  We got to hike a few times, enjoy catching up with old friends and experience Fall.

My heart felt happy and my soul was refreshed by our time there. 

no more acorns, please?

I'm not sure why it took me four years to notice this, but we have an acorn tree in our back ally.


It produces lots and lots of acorns every fall.


This year, the girls and their friends decided to start collecting them in order to make necklaces.


I'll be really impressed if they actually complete one! The process is quite lengthy. First you have to remove the ends of the acorn by rubbing for a looonnng time.


Ten minutes later you get something that looks like this:


Next, you use a toothpick to poke out the fleshy part of the nut.  It's sort of yellowish and grainy in texture.


Then, you finally end up with a hollow acorn shell.


Just repeat the process about 10 times...and maybe the girls will have a necklace or bracelet.

I wonder what else we could do with these acorns?

falling leaves

Floridians are seriously lacking in the seasons, so we have to make up our own. Down in the town of Celebration, which is very near Disney, they throw a "falling leaves" festival. Or should I say falling pieces of paper? It's pretty remarkable that they turned this idea into an event!

Check 'em out: tissue paper "leaves."

We had a few minutes to spare before the big event, so the girls had some fun of their own, scooping up the "leaves" and tossing them in the air.

Still a few minutes to spare, so we checked out this fountain. More fun, running around, balancing on the edge...and giggling.

Just to prove David and I were there too.

Here I am, why you always sticking that big black thing in my face, Mom?

And, the moment we've all been waiting for: falling "leaves." Yay!

Umm, okay, that was fun. It's over already?

It was festive, at least, and we really did have fun. There was a free hayride too, but somehow we missed this. Next year, maybe!