Despite all of the rumors that we’d all gone crazy in the head, the Janes & the Thompsons embarked on what was to be a legendary trip to Colorado.  With a 1 year old, a 2 year old, 4 adults (plus 2 picked up in Denver), 4 bikes & a bike trailer (plus 2 bikes picked up in Denver) and 1 pop-up camper all pulled by the trusty Escalade, we set our sights on the mountains and never looked back.

The skinny:

• 5 nights camping in Glacier Basin Campground, Rocky Mountain National Park
• 3 family hikes with kids in backpacks
• 2 man hikes to climb peaks large and small (thanks Kim for joining the men on the one and for finding the Geocache!)
• 2 campfires with cherry cobbler & peanut butter smores
• 1 home-made gourmet sushi meal
• 1 trip to the zoo
• 1 visit to a water park
• No real naps or clean kids

Our campground had been decimated by a pine-eating beetle, so instead of camping in the woods, we had a clear view of the mountains.  The kids didn’t mind, they were more interested in the dirt, sticks and rocks.  The adults enjoyed good food and good company:

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And all the beautiful hikes, only a few where we got caught by the great Colorado freak rain storms:

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Man hikes were a way for the guys to get out and get some real good “man” time.  Greg is currently living with two girls and was man-time hungry, so the “man hike” was a great way to get barbaric and go somewhere manly.  Hallett Peak was the chosen destination.

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Even with all of our outdoor adventures, we found time for lots of adventures just for the kids.

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And in the end we all have fond memories of a great trip and hopes of doing it all again another time.

For a bazillion more pictures, check out the gallery.