We’ve had scheduling conflicts the last few reunions, but we had this one booked well ahead of time. This year we went to YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. It was right next to Rocky Mountain National Park and there was a lot of fun things to do. Here are some quick highlights.
Day 1: Tuesday, July 30
After a long drive in a caravan with the Ben Peterson family we finally made it to the YMCA of the Rockies around dinnertime. We checked in, got our breakfast/dinner meal tickets, and immediately went to the cafeteria to eat and meet other family members. The food was really bad. After dinner we found our room and got set up. It was a dorm-style room with 1 queen bed and 2 sets of bunk beds. We brought a cot for Drew. As we went to bed that night it was 80°F. We were all super hot and no one slept really well. Our trip was starting out pretty rough.
Day 2: Wednesday, July 31
Ben Peterson and I got up really early to do a hike up Lily Mountain. It was a quick 4 miles hike (we even made it back in time for breakfast), and there were beautiful views all the way.
The kids had a high ropes course scheduled after breakfast, and we spent the rest of the day doing a wide variety of activities at the YMCA.
Thankfully we were able to track down a box fan, so after our after-dinner family activities in Lewis Dick Hall, we were able get some much-needed rest.
Day 3: Thursday, August 1
Several families expressed interest in doing a hike in a less-busy part of Rocky Mountain National Park. We found a trail that looked promising, not too steep, along a river with several cool waterfalls. So, on Thursday morning after breakfast we all drove down to the Wild Basin trailhead.
There were a whole bunch of us (probably 10 vehicles) and when we got there the parking lot was full. So, we parked about a mile away from the trailhead and got in a little more hiking than we anticipated. But, the hike was great and very scenic.
We eventually made it to Calypso Cascades, the goal destination for the short hike option. We ate snacks, filtered some water from the cascade, and took lots of pictures.
Everyone headed back down the trail, but I wanted to head up an extra mile or so and see Ouzel Falls. So, I speed hiked it. About the time I got to the falls, it started to rain. So I snapped a couple quick pics and then headed back down too.
It started to rain, hard. I got pretty soaked, but the others also got pretty wet as they finished their hike too. But, everyone was still smiling.
Day 4: Friday, August 2
Megan, Claire, Manina, and I all were up for another adventurous hike on Friday morning. So, we threw on our backpacks and headed up the Twin Sisters trail.
The other kids stayed behind at the YMCA to play mini-golf, swim, and do other activities.
The Twin Sisters trail was no joke. It’s 3.5 miles and 2250 ft. of elevation to the top, peaking out at 11,420. We stopped up at the top and ate our lunch above the treeline before heading back down.
That night we played pickleball with the Haymonds after dinner and then found a giant bull elk just roaming around the YMCA grounds just looking for the tastiest grass.
We had a dance that evening at the hall, and Megan got lessons from Aunt Caroline. It wasn’t the best way to end the family vacation, but even that couldn’t damper what ended up being a great experience and probably the highlight of our summer.
MightyJohnsons 