Megan Lake backpacking trip - June 2013

In mid-June, the Hobgood 5 set out on our first family backpacking trip.  Our plan was to hike to Megan Lake, an alpine lake in the Sangre de Cristos, which was a 2.5 mile hike from the trailhead.  However, the road was a little too much for our car, so we parked about 1.5 miles from the trailhead, put on our packs and headed into the mountains.

 

We made it to the trailhead!

 

Wyatt was chillin' during a snack break.

We had to do one stream crossing by foot.  Josh and I carried the packs, plus the kids.  It was cold!

You can see from the sky in this picture that some smoke started rolling in, towards evening, from all the fires in Colorado.  Luckily, we camped near some trail guides who had called the Forest Service and we knew that the fires were quite far away.

Almost bedtime! We camped a little short of our original destination, opting to stay in the forest
rather than hike all the way up to the lake.

The next morning, the smoke had cleared and we headed out for Megan Lake.  It was gorgeous and well worth the hike.

 

Owen was incredibly independent on the hike.  He carried his own sleeping bag and crossed log bridges all by himself.  When we got back to the car, he told us that backpacking was one of the coolest things he had ever done, because he loves hiking and camping so much.

This is what a 2-year old looks like after 2 days outside:-)  Dirty, but happy!

Great Sand Dunes 2013

 In early June, we met up with all the Hobgoods and Closes for a trip to the Sand Dunes. 

 The first three pictures are my favorites of each kiddo.

Owen and Logan are inseparable and the best of friends.  Josh said "this is one for the record books", which I think means that it's the cutest picture of all time for these buddies.

 Molly loved the playground.

Wyatt loved stomping and dancing in the creek.

 We spent two long afternoons playing in the creek at the base of the Sand Dunes.  Owen was engrossed in a game that involved digging, kicking, running and laughing maniacally.  This is the digging phase of the game.

On the right, Owen is about the enter the kicking phase of his game.  Josh, Molly and Wyatt are building a big pool, called a "hot tub".

 The dads started constructing a sand castle almost immediately.  This is the sand castle from Day 1, which they dubbed "King's Landing".

Josh thought he should try to jump over the castle from Day 2.  

 

 Then everyone got in on the jumping action...

Then, Molly decided to try to jump, too.  Her jump was really just a run around the castle, but the older kids jumped over the bridge.

 

Everyone chipped in on the second castle, as you can see.

 

Since this was our second trip to the Dunes, we added in a couple of new adventures.  We hiked a short distance to Zapata Falls, which was actually really cool.  We also went to the Gator Farm, but did not get any good pictures.  I love this picture because Molly looks like such a goofball.  She was so happy to be walking and to be getting alot of attention:-)

 

Molly ended the hike on Josh's shoulders.

Most of the kids and adults made it up to the falls.  It was a pretty intense hike at the end, with some wading in ice cold water, but the dads did a great job of hauling the kids!

 

We spent both nights at the Alamosa KOA, which was great fun for the kids because of the playground.  The boys ADORED playing tether ball.  Wyatt did not even mind getting hit in the head!

 

 Molly, Wyatt, and Laila really loved the merry-go-round.

 I love this picture!  Laila is concentrating SO HARD on pushing and Molly is clearly having a blast!

Owen and Logan rode their bikes all over the campground.  Owen was quite sad to leave because he wanted to ride with Logan for hours and hours more.