Considering epic significance of my recent trip with kids to Colorado I decided to document the events for posterity. So the real question is: How dangerous can be 7 days, 4 National Parks, 2 State Parks, camping, Whitewater Rafting, Off-road 4-wheeling, 3 cases of Altitude Sickness and two 14,000 ft + mountains?
This is obviously the Walker’s Family so the trip has to start with a good meal for the breakfast (how about chocolate croissants…)
First stop: Garden of the Gods next to Colorado Springs. Amazing Red Rock formations.
In the background taste of the coming days: 14,000 + ft. Pikes Peak.
Next morning wake-up call on the primitive camp ground in the Sand Dunes National Park
The view of 750 ft tall dunes was spectacular at the sunrise.
Mosquitoes shared our early rising goals so some protective gear was necessary.
Today’s Special is…PBJ!
Time to explore the desert. You are entering the death zone…
Are we still in US of A or is it Sahara?
High Dune conquered…
Some victory shots…
…but there is still the tallest dune waiting for us …Star Dune!
It was supposed to be short walk…
Now it’s a climb…
Finally on the top in the company of strong wind carrying sand, 110 degree temperature and decreasing supply of water.
After long crawl with help of map and compass…water!
After 6 hours of fighting with the sand nothing beats cold lemonade that serves also as a cooling tool.
But at night we tended to even higher temperatures.
Following days change of the environment…WATER…cold and treacherous ;-)
And all this for just one photo-op moment like this…
…or this…
OK, so we continue hiking to reach our next destination…
…good coffee shop in Durango!
And when the bellies are full it’s time to explore another National Park. This time Mesa Verde NP. So let’s climb again…
…this time to visit cozy apartments (circa 1200 AD) carved into the rock.
After that it was time to hit the road again, this time driving “Million Dollar Highway” from Silverton surrounded by breathtaking views. Everybody is impressed by outside images…
…but some are impressed by their own images…
At the sunset we visited Black Canyon National Park.
We were the only visitors in the entire canyon area…awesome experience.
Obviously I couldn’t resist the sunset shots.
Next day serious 4-wheeling to the Trailhead of Handies Peak. Quick breakfast at 6AM.
And ready to climb the summit at 14,048 ft above the see level.
Pleasant surprise- we are joined by 2 climbers who accomplished in the past Mt. Everest, K-2, Kilimanjaro and Mt. McKinley.
Short snack break at 13,000 ft…
…and finally our first 14er summit @14,048 ft.
That night celebration with a good dinner (and good dessert) was highly appropriate.
Next day, nice surprise…we are joined by Uncle Robert.
And preparation for Arkansas River Whitewater Rafting trip is in force…
OK so there are no other pictures from the rafting because class IV rapids navigating precludes even having a good camera on the raft…but not in the coffee-shop after the trip!
Next morning 5AM driving to the Trailhead of Huron Peak.
Not everybody is able to admire the sunrise in the mountains…
…but everybody wakes up to Uncle Roberts’ “Emergency Chocolate Supply” on the trail.
Sugar Rush!!!
We’ll be there!
Some careful snow traversing…
…another stop to admire the views…
…and finally the summit @ 14,003 ft. Our second 14er!!!
Still quick phone-call to Mom on her chemo treatment day…
…and fast descent to the valleys.
Life is good!!!
So as I said: 7 days, 4 National Parks, 2 State Parks, camping, Whitewater Rafting, Off-road 4-wheeling, 3 cases of Altitude Sickness and two 14,000 ft + mountains…but the REAL DANGER for me was to finally sit down for a second…
PLAY HARD, LIFE IS SHORT (stay tuned for the next adventure of the Walker’s Expedition Team).