Colorado Vacation- Day 1- HikeMS

We started our Colorado vacation with the HikeMS this year and it was a great way to begin our week in the mountains!  Emily and her family weren't able to join us for the hike this year (insert sad face) but Meredith and some of Cory's family were able to come so we ended up having a large hiking group. 

 

Last year we split into two hiking groups and this year we split into three groups.  Meredith, Parker and I did the six mile hike up the mountain.  Cory, his sister Sondra, and his niece Jennifer did the two mile hike at the top of the mountain.  And Granna and Granstan took the three little girls (Eden, Lily, and Taylor) on the two mile hike at the base of the mountain. 

Six mile hikers- Meredith, Parker and Amy

Two mile hikers- Granstan, Granna
Eden, Taylor, and Lily

We all enjoyed breakfast at the base of the mountain before setting off on our hikes. 

 

 

The walk up to the start of the hike was pretty steep and I started thinking that I might should have stayed at the bottom with the girls, but as soon as we got on the mountain trail, it leveled out and ended up being a beautiful hike!  Parker did a great job on the entire hike and we had to hustle just to keep up with him! 

 

Halfway point!

Crossing the finish line

The little girls stayed at the base of the mountain and completed the two mile hike with Granna and Granstan.  They all did a great job and finished with smiles and two thumbs up!

After the hike, they enjoyed playing in a giant sandbox while they waited for the other groups to finish.

Cory had originally planned to hike at the base but changed his mind at the last minute and completed the two mile hike at the top of the mountain instead.  It was hard and it took him a long time with a lot of stops to rest, but he kept on going until he finished!  We were so proud of him for finishing the entire two miles!  He is such an inspiration to us!

At the finish line!

After the hike, we rode the gondola up to the top of the mountain for lunch and family pictures.

 

 

After the closing ceremony, the kids enjoyed face painting, horse rides and train rides down at the Keystone resort area.  It was a perfect end to a great day!

HikeMS has been such a blessing to our family and has given us something to look forward to all year long.  I am so thankful we stumbled upon it last year and can't wait to make it an annual tradition.