Hiking Colorado: Buffalo Burn Loop Trail

Well let's start by saying this hike almost didn't happen for us! We woke up Sunday morning and as we were gathering our things to head out the door, I happened to glance out the front window and notice lingering rain clouds in the direction we planned go. Thankfully it was just an early morning shower passing through and we had a nice window to get out and enjoy the trails before the afternoon storms came back.

We had a friend in town this weekend so decided not to venture out too far. Still undecided where to go, we set off on the highway as I looked up trails on trails.com and I settled on a portion of the Colorado Trail just south of Conifer. As we parked our car and started packing up the packs, there were already a handful of bikers that rode by, a warning about this part of the trail we planned to set out on. And after the 15 minutes it takes to wrangle kids and all that comes with them to go hiking, we were off!

The Colorado Trail at this point goes east and west across Deckers Rd and we chose to hike west, the same side we parked on. Shortly after the hike began there's a turn-off up a hill that leads to spectacular views. We chose to go up there first for some family photo ops (it's always an idea if you're are hiking with kids to try and get some pictures first because there's a good chance they'll be sleeping or cranky at the end of the hike).

After our pit-stop on the hill, we headed back down to the trail to start our hike. I don't think we walked .5 miles and we came up to a junction for a trail called the Buffalo Burn Loop. Undecided if we should continue on the Colorado Trail or take this new trail, we left it up to our 3 year old to decide which way to go and he selected the loop trail. This trail started out through a burn area which yielded some amazing views of nearby mountains. And once you make your way through the burn area, you finally enter a forested area where you go in and out of shade until you loop back up with the Colorado Trail.

All in all the trail was 3 miles round trip and perfect for toddlers or out-of-state guests as it has very minimal elevation change with amazing views. Highly recommend...just remember sunscreen!

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Adventures in Kansas

I wasn't sure if we'd make a trip back to Kansas this summer with the age Cooper is. It's the not-so-fun age for traveling! But when I found out my family from Texas was coming up for a visit I decided to load up the car and drive myself, Carson (3), Cooper (almost 1) and our dog Snyder and make the journey east on I-70.

I actually do well traveling or taking the boys out on my own, but I was still a little hesitant to make the drive by myself (thankfully I only had to do it once and Reid would be driving home with us). All in all I couldn't have asked for the ride to go any better than it did. I had a potty in the car just incase I couldn't make it to a bathroom and Carson was very good about telling me when he needed to go (side note he was in a pull-up...just in case). The most stressful stop was lunchtime when I had to take both boys into a restroom and walk the dog around a fenced dog-run. Somehow I made it all work :)

To reward myself for making the solo drive, I stopped in Manhattan, KS where I met my brother and sister-in-law who graciously finished the last 2 hours to Kansas City so I could stay and visit with my best friend from college. We of course left off like we had just spoken to each other yesterday (when really we are lucky to talk once a month...and that's even stretching it) but it's wonderful having a friend who also has kids and just gets it! The next morning we went to a Fourth of July parade in Junction City and then I headed on to KC.

And here's where our trip becomes a whirlwind of visiting family, friends, taking the boys places, etc! I unfortunately didn't take many pictures but we had lots of fun! Before I made it to KC, the boys got to be in a Fourth of July parade on my parents street. Carson also enjoyed sleeping with Pop Pops pillows! My first full day in KC was a solo day for me and the boys as all the grandparents were working. HOT does not even begin to describe what it was like in Kansas so we headed for the air conditioning. We went to stock up on K-State gear and then made our way to Oak Park Mall where we rode the carousel. Later we got to see Aunt Jess and go swimming at her pool. Carson LOVED jumping off the side and was evening working on swimming back to the stairs.

The next couple days were Nonni days and we had lots of fun going to Crown Center to see the Mr. Potato head exhibit, walking the sky bridge to Union Station to see model trains, and watching the fountains while eating Panera. We also went to visit Grams, ate at Fritz's where a train brings you your food, and played at Splash Cove where Carson loved going down the slides, {taking a shower} and walking the big ramp to the deeper water.

Friday was a fun day not only because it was Cooper's birthday but because we went to the Aquarium with Grammie and Pop Pop! Unfortunately we had a cranky pants with us, but everyone else enjoyed walking around and seeing the fish.

That evening Reid and I were able to sneak away and head to the Royals v Mariner's game with my family from Texas. Most of our group of 11 was decked out in Royals gear but that didn't stop Reid and I from supporting the Mariner's! Sorry KC. During the game we walked around the stadium, toured a Hall of Fame area they have set up, grabbed a beer at Craft and Draft and after the game watched an awesome fireworks show! Thanks Kauffman for a great time.

Our last day in Kansas was spent celebrating Cooper's birthday with family and friends, going out for a cousins dinner at K-Machos and having some s'mores before the storms rolled in.

This particular trip back to Kansas was sort of a bittersweet one for me. I spent 23 years here and this was the first time I felt no nostalgia as I exited off Ridgeview and headed to my parents house (sorry mom and dad). I guess it's good I'm finally emotionally moving on and can open my heart to Colorado being my new home.