Colorado; Home away from Home

Sunrise on Longs Peak, CO

Dave and I spend a lot of time in this state. Now that Dave's parents moved here, and his sister Julie and her family live here, it really will be home away from home. I am thrilled! I can't think of a better place to have to visit!
Bridges International (who we work for) had a conference at the YMCA in Estes Park. The Brindley's wanted the kids since it's been since December since they saw them last. So Dave and I had an extended weekend to ourselves. Naturally - we hiked.
We had a free afternoon during the conference and hiked Deer Mountain. It's a 6 mile hike round trip, but in April there was still snow on the trail.
The first 1/3 of our hike started off like this (pictured left). This is a typical environment that we are used to.

 We saw deer, both alive and dead. I see why this place is called Deer Mountain. The deer are very used to people. They just keep grazing as you walk by. This poor deer was someone's meal.

Ponderosa Pine tree

The next 2/3s of our hike proceeded in the ice/snow. We have never hiked in snow before and didn't have snow shoes or anything.
At different points you would take a step and fall knee deep into snow. Then you'd take another step to get out of it; sometimes you would get back on the surface, and at other times your other leg would sink deep into the snow.
In the picture of me (Katie) below I'm laughing at the craziness of this happening over and over.
It was one of the most difficult hikes we've ever done!

 Notice Dave's jeans...they are soaked up to the knee!

We had to make up our own summit. They trail wasn't well marked and so we had to climb up the mountain through rocks and some bushes so we could say we summited!

We also saw lots of elk/caribou. This one was just out the car window!