Finally, on our way to COLORADO! But first, a Hot Mom's Bestie Selfie to start our trip.
Our first stop was in Hays for a quick dinner at McDonald's. The kids were all buzzing with excitement and couldn't wait to get to Colorado and the cabin.
Monday, July 1st
We arrived at the cabin at about 2am, carried all of our things inside, made our beds, and tried to get some sleep. (We let the big girls all sleep in the loft together. It would be like a big slumber party all week long for them. I remember getting to sleep in that loft when I was little, and big, with family and friends. It was always fun. The laughter I remember sharing with everyone else who slept up there will never be erased from my memories. I hoped that our girls would make some of these memories too, and carry them with them over their lifetime like me.) The next morning there wasn't much sleeping in...there was still so much excitement. It was light outside and we all needed to get up and get going. Below, our Hot Mom's Bestie Selfie of the Day.
We unpacked our suitcases and coolers and got the kitchen organized. Then we decided to take a short drive into Manitou Springs and take a look in some of the little mountain shops. The drive there was fun because some of our crew had never seen the mountains before. And on the drive in the night before it was dark and they couldn't get the real view until now. The excitement in their voices and the amazement on their faces was GREAT!
Above left to right, Abigail, Phoebe, Silas, Felicity, Shawna, and Sarah... oh, and the bears.
In Manitou there are several fresh spring water fountains.
Back at the cabin later that day some of the crew walked down to fish in the pond.
There were several little fish caught and released.
The kids all liked hiking around the cabin and climbing on the giant boulders.
In the late afternoon, early evening, we all went for a long hike back behind the cabin on the Pike National Forest land. We had many talks about bears and wild animals prior to our hike, but just in case we tried to stay somewhat close together while hiking and tried to keep an adult in the lead and at the back of our crew.
LOVE this picture op every time!!! The split rock. Each kid lined up for their turn to pose and act like they were pushing the rock apart. Go muscles!
We hiked all the way to the Beaver ponds then stopped for about a five minute break to look around and take a few pictures.
After a close encounter with a very rude dirt biker we decided to head back towards the cabin for dinner. With Steve in the lead and Eric and David in the rear the rest of us fell in line between them, walking, talking, and laughing, until suddenly...….
two of our girls were running, screaming, crying back away from Steve towards the Mamas.... A HUGE MOOSE had come out of the tall grassy foilage on the left of the path. We had no warning or even a clue it was there. Our fearless leader gave the girls a push backwards as the creature emerged from the tall thicket. Unaware of what was coming out and readying himself for whatever form of wildlife it might be, he took a few steps backwards as Silas went running (literally) forwards to get a closer look.....
Steve fell backwards startled, and we all got a small chuckle. But then back to reality. What would this Moose do? It was about 30 yards in front of us in the direction we needed to go. We really needed it to move out of our way and away from the path. We all stood in awe for a while watching it. Then we walked a bit as it moved slowly in the same direction we also needed to go.
I started out taking a few pictures with my phone, but Eric quickly got my better camera to me, from the backpack he was carrying, and I was able to get some great pictures of it as I moved a little closer to it. (Keeping a safe distance between myself and the Moose.)
On the rest of our hike back to the cabin, we all couldn't believe that we had actually seen a Moose up close! Below, lovebirds, Steve and Traci, and David and Mandy.
Here's a little game... Anyone who is reading this, and has been to the Hastings family cabin... Where is the picture below taken? Hint: It is a clean space. A few spiders may reside there. And, there are plenty of wall decorations and even a chandelier to light up the night.
*Disclaimer: Pants were up for the taking of this picture. It was strictly for entertainment purposes only. And, it really did make Phoebe and I laugh! In all seriousness, who really takes a picture in the bathroom? Gross.
That night we had a delicious dinner of homemade lasagna prepared by none other than one of our Hot Mom's, Mandy. Everyone went to bed that night with a full belly and a happy heart.
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