Backpacking in Wild Basin, Rocky Mountain National Park

We took our annual backpacking trip in the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park last week. It was gorgeous; not a whole lot of rain; tons of wildflowers. Thunder Lake is 6-7 miles from the trailhead.

We went halfway, up to the North St Vrain campsites and set up camp. We finished setting up camp around 1:30pm, lay down on our freshly inflated mattresses and all fell asleep for a couple hours. The next morning we dragged our sorry butts up to Thunder Lake. Sleeping on the ground is getting too difficult for me, even with the inflatable mattress. I walk like a 90-year old man for several hours while my back tries to click back into place.

The mosquitoes tried to carry me away so I had to wear a headnet. Still got bitten on both eyes however and my right eyelid was pretty swollen:

Here's Leo at Thunder Lake

We fished several times with Greg's fancy flies, and the fish bit, but they didn't stay on the hook. You have to use barbless hooks and we didn't know how to land the fish.

There's a gorgeous, warm, not windy meadow in front of the lake:

Our attempt at a family photo:

And one where we don't look like a volcano is about to erupt on us:

This is the west end of the lake. The Continental Divide is the top of these ridges. You can see a scree field next to an ice field on the left hand side. We tried to go up that to get to the Divide. Bad idea. The scree was super loose and dangerous. When we got to the top of the ice field, we decided it was too hard to cross it and came back down. It was a full morning adventure.

The bottom of the scree field was fun:

Here it was pretty dicey. At the top it was a 50 degree slope.

We had a snack at the top of the ice field, in a rock overhang.

Then I managed to walk smack into the rock overhang and land flat on my back. I'm not sure why this trip conspired to beat me up so.

Anyway, we went back down to Thunder Lake, found a steep rocky trail and went up to the Lake of Many Winds, which was super windy:

We got a bit crazy up there with the thunder and stormy skies:

Above my head in the above picture you can see to the right of the ice field a narrow chute. Climbing up to the Divide involves scampering up the chute. Looked doable but sketchy and it was afternoon at this point with thunderous clouds and we headed back. Next time!

Deer lived at our campsite:

Unfortunately, we headed back down the next day because Leo had stomach cramps. Long day getting back, but he's better now.

Some old comics, but good ones!

Exploratorium

They moved the Exploratorium into the heart of downtown SF, on a pier. The new space is huge and fun. Root and Mira joined us. Here's Root in front of the mechatronic clock:

Leo in front of a wacky digital clock:

Everyone loved the infrared video camera. Leo being a ham:

Had to spend a bunch of time watching dry ice spinning in water:

Watching ice layers form through polarized lenses:

the ball run made of toothpicks:

Kids had a field day at the water fountain in the toilet. Mira actually drank out of it!

Finally, Root in the mood lighting ball:

Photo booth

At Carlie and Sam's wedding, Leo took full advantage of the photo booth:

New stop motion video from Leo

If you can't see this, go here.

Giant smoke rings

If you can't see this, go here

Leo ice skating tricks

We had a great time ice skating today. First time for me on skates since college, I think and Leo's second, but he can use his roller skating skills to do some cool tricks.

Mr. McMuffin in our Daily Camera newspaper!

Paul and Leo were in the local newspaper for their participation in the Boulder Maker Faire!

http://mediacenter.dailycamera.com/2015/02/01/the-boulder-mini-maker-faire-at-the-boulder-county-fairgrounds/#5

http://mediacenter.dailycamera.com/2015/02/01/the-boulder-mini-maker-faire-at-the-boulder-county-fairgrounds/#6

And in this video you can see both the Zander Lander and Mr. McMuffin:



If you can't see this go here

Leo debuts Mr. McMuffin at the Boulder Maker Faire

If you can't see this, go to here

Copper Mountain

Had a great time at Copper - our first full day on the mountain. 

The Giant Electric Muffin!

If you can't see this go to http://youtu.be/CsTQiyPRHiE

Father and son unicycle tricks

If you can't see this, go to http://youtu.be/mNNnS5MSYc0 

Unicycling!

If you can't see this, go to http://youtu.be/bDt3NHEa8Ws

Snow Mountain Ranch

We had a blast at Snow Mountain Ranch despite the single digit temperatures and horrible food. Skiing at Winter Park wasn't all that great either, with the crowds and of course, the icy moguls that are the size of VW beetles. But Leo and I were with our friends Wendy/Ross/Sami/JJ and that made all the difference. Here are the kids at the roller rink:

And trying to stay warm after skiing:

Leo found a "snow study plot". He wants this job. Me, too. I want to do the "field work".

We took an archery class which everyone loved:

It culminated in a competition that involved shooting balloons and playing cards. That's my arrow in that 9 of hearts!

Leo tried to stay at Snow Mountain Ranch after the rest of us went home. He tried to hide away in the boot rack: