It was back to work today after a refreshing trip to the mountains! I wish I could remember every detail to tell you about it, but I don't think I can. The only thing that would have made it perfect is if King Pea had been there. He would have loved every second of it like I did.
The first day we awoke very early (3:30 am; thanks, Dad). By the time I woke up again, there were (small) mountains around us. We set up camp at beautiful Vallecito Lake. I could have stayed there forever! It was really beautiful. It wasn't far from Durango; which is where we spent most of our second day.
We went into town pretty early to check out the downtown. I had to buy a car adapter for my phone charger. I didn't realize we would literally have no electricity! Downtown was super cute; I could have walked around there all day. We ate at a yummy local brewery, Steamworks. The food was good, but the beer was better!
After lunch, we went white water rafting! Okay, so the "white water" was a little lacking, but we still had a blast! It was my first time rafting and I can't wait to do it again. Every one in Durango was out on the river; some just tubing, others in kayaks. I was really wanting to kayak! (I'll have to go back for that!) Every one there is outside as much as possible. There were bikers every where (bicycle bikers and motorcycle bikers; mostly bicycle bikers though).
Anne Pea and Abby Pea had fun too! They've been rafting before (yes, I'm totally jealous) but this is the first time one of them got tossed! Abby Pea fell out of the raft once; I only had a ~mini~ heart attack. She was quickly saved, but almost fell out again! But, she managed to stay on board the second time. Our rafting guide was pretty cool; he did save my daughter's life after all. Anne Pea was a bit of a sour puss. I borrowed {okay, stole} one of her watches and wore it that day. Let's just say she didn't let me live it down.
We spent our last night at Vallecito Lake by playing games. Any one who knows the Barrett family knows we have to play marbles! That's also the night Mom and I went to Margaritaville, and it was a little better trip for me than it was for her! :) Love ya, Mom! You have to let loose every now and then!
The next day, we headed back towards Pagosa Springs. We spent some time around another gorgeous campsite (no view of the lake though). I could hear the river at the campsite; that was nice. We took a closer look at the river and I did get a few photos.
That night we went into town to the hot springs. After a couple of shower-less days, we needed it! The hot springs were ah-(wait for it)-mazing! If you're ever in the area, you have to check them out! Here is a linky-poo (see how I made that so easy for you!). I highly recommend it, but wait until your last night. Although it was fantastic before our monstrous hike, it would have been well worth it to wait until the next night. {End commercial break} :)
The last day of our stay we went for our (as previously mentioned) monstrous hike. It was beautiful and I am so glad I had been working out more than normal for a while beforehand. I really don't know how my Daddy Pea does it, seeing how he never works out. It was well worth it though! 3.5 miles and about 1,000 feet in elevation up; and what goes up must come down!
Once we got to the end of our part of the trail, Dad and the girlie peas went fishing. I took pics (not with my camera; it's too big and I did not want to lose it in the river!). I used Dad's old camera, so I don't even know how those photos turned out. Anne Pea took a little dip by accident, bumping her knee in the process. She shed a few tears, but kept going! Mom found a small clearing by the river and spent time napping and reading a book. I went to join her as soon as I noticed clouds rolling in. I got half a tiny glass of wine down before the rain started! That was the end of the fishing. (Abby Pea did "catch" one, but when they were about to get it, he got loose. He lived to see at least one more day because he would have been our lone fish at our fish fry!)
As the lightning and thunder got going, we hoofed it pretty quickly down the mountain. The lightning struck pretty close at one point. We were saying our prayers before, but that really got us praying! Of course, God in His sweet mercy got us all down the mountain just fine. Abby Pea talked Mom's ear off the whole way down, so she wasn't as focused on the impending storm. Abby Babbles' babbling is good for something! :)
Seven mile hike--check!
We had pizza for dinner that night; all fish were spared. We got packed up as much as possible and then soaked our tired feet in our camper pedis. (Our dish buckets filled with hot, soapy water; scrubbies optional.)
We packed up the next morning and I was not ready to come home (though I did miss my King Pea, a lot!). I have always loved the mountains, but I am ready sell all my belongings and move there! (Haha, not really, well maybe, no no, we can't, but after the girls graduate, we've been known to do crazier things, I don't know, we shall see.)
We'll just get started by planning a camping trip up there next summer. Around mid-June, if any one is interested. You have to rough it though; taking tents, no electricity, and King Pea is definitely on the guest list this time. :)
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