Fort Collins Winter Snow Storm...Finally!

After waiting 3 years for a decent dump in Fort Collins we finally have one.  So far we've had about 6-7 inches with a little more expected tonight.  Maybe the kids will finally get to sled on something more than lightly covered grass! Took the Jeep out today and had fun with the camera.

A gloomy, chilly, and icy day @ Riverbend Ponds

This hike became day 3 of our 3 day exercise plan to rid the kids of all their negative energy (ie. constant squabbling that mommy couldn't put up with).  I wasn't very motivated since it was gray but wanted to stick to our original plan to tire these kids out!  This was a quick close to home adventure and the kids have always had fun with the water and rocks.  I was hoping we were going to see lots of geese (since they are everywhere in town lately) but hadn't counted on all the ponds being frozen.

The kids quickly got in the spirit of the walk by trying to break the ice.  Try as they might it was just too hard.

We spotted quite a few beaver chewed trees right out of the parking lot by the first pond but didn't see any beavers or dams.

The ice provided many opportunities for play.  It was hard to keep them off of it.

The boardwalks provided areas for exploration.

Smiles=no squabbling=happy mom! 

We discovered that when you hit the air bubbles in the ice that water would come shooting out.

When we got along the Poudre River we finally saw some ducks and geese.

Hike: Riverbend Ponds

Trails Used: Riverbend Ponds off Prospect Road

Distance:  2.82 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Overall average:  1.7 mph
Overall Time:  1 hr, 40 min
Total Ascent:  151 ft.

Watch out for that spider!

Had a nice run this morning and headed out to look at the river before the kiddos got up.  Almost ran into this web/spider!  

 It was a beautiful morning!

 The kids wrapped up their Junior Ranger packets and were able to get their badges.

 We did a brief wildlife viewing tour that night.  

I'd heard the Wind Canyon Trail (easy .4 mile loop) was a great location for sunset viewing.  Turns out I'd heard correctly.

 Saw him on the way back to camp.

Ahh.....spring!

The crab apple down the street:

The red bud in the yard:

 Loving the baby geese down the street:

 Even the big fat squirrel robbing my feeder gets a little love today!

Watchman Trail

This trail started out of the campground.  There weren't many flowers out this time of year but we did run across some along this trail.  The Indian Paintbrush were pretty.

Walking up the trail provided nice view of the Towers of the Virgin and the West Temple.

 Looking for wildlife:

 Then we found this deer right in front of us, no need for binoculars!

 Hike: Watchman Trail
Trails Used: Watchman Trail

Distance:  4.53 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Overall average: 2.2 mph
Overall Time: 2 hr, 03 min
Total Ascent: 1153 ft.

Spring breakin' to Utah again!

Our spring break vacation can't start without our regular trip to Daylight Donuts in Breckenridge.  It puts a smile on everyone's face!

 We decided to take only one vehicle this year instead of two so we were all crammed in a little.  

 Some more than others...

Here we come Utah!

 Goblin Valley State Park:

 The yurt we stayed in:

 A little trek from the parking area & bathroom but worth it for the seclusion and great location!

 Inside the yurt: (sleeps 5 adults)

 Dinner in the yurt:

Climbing around the campsite:

Views of the tent camping sites:

Dish Duty: