Sunday, May 10, 2009

straight up the mountain

I had a very nice Mother's Day. I hope any mother reading this did so also.

After church, Don, Jake and I traveled down to Colorado Springs to spend the afternoon with Danielle. Before leaving her place for the restaurant for lunch, we spent some time talking and laughing and opening the presents Jake and Dani gave me. They gave me a beautiful candle holder and an even more beautiful bracelet. The bracelet has a charm that they had engraved with their names on one side and LOVE on the other. I love it!

We then went to lunch at Texas Roadhouse. Yummy food. Even better company.

After lunch, we drove up into Manitou Springs, which is a lovely little mountain town with a cute main street full of quaint little shops. I would have loved to do some walking and looking and shopping, but it was rainy and I knew the guys (Don and Jake) wouldn't have enjoyed the time spent that way. But I will be going back there some day - it's my kind of place.

Instead, we drove up to the base of the mountain where Danielle showed us her latest conquest... the Incline. It's a stairway straight up a mountain. It's crazy! It's a path made of over 5,000 railroad ties that goes straight up the mountain with an average grade of 41% (steepest is 68%). It starts at an elevation of 6600 feet and rises to 8600 feet. The trail down is a four mile hike. Like I said... crazy!


This picture doesn't do the breadth and scope of it any justice, but it's the best I could capture with a camera. Dani had wanted to conquer the beast, and did so a week ago. She doesn't want to ever do it again, which I find amusing. Once Jake saw it, he felt the challenge of it calling to him. He wanted to climb it right then and there. We talked him out of it. Mainly because it would most likely be a couple of hours that we didn't have. I have no doubt that he'll be at the top of that mountain in the next week or so.


After we left that area, we headed over to a beautiful park called the Garden of the Gods. There's some incredible rock formations to drive through and climb on. Even though the weather was on the dreary side, the park was full of people. Before we knew it, it was time to head for home. Another wonderful Mother's Day in the books. I am so blessed by my family.

12 comments:

Momma Roar said...

Yes, it sounds like you had a wonderful Mother's Day!!! :-D

Karen said...

It sounds like a wonderful day. And I love the picture of you with your kids. Beautiful family.

We rarely get down south and haven't been to Manitou. It sounds like a place I'd like to explore.

I'm glad you had a nice day.

Just Mom said...

Time with family is always a blessing.

I was too sick to do anything this weekend, but my hubby and son were with me. And that's all that matters.

Susan said...

Great photo's and great CO scenery. Boy what a climb. Hat's off to your daughter for doing it.
Susan Glad you had such a lovely Mother's Day.
Susan

Lori said...

What a wonderful Mothers Day you had.
Those pictures are beautiful!

Wow that would be quite the hike climbing up those railroad ties.

Brenda Susan said...

Hi Diana - I am new to your blog, just wandering around looking for new friends. These pics are amazing, what a beautiful place to live! I've read a few of your posts & it's refreshing to read someone with grown kids like mine. I keep running into mommy blogs & they are ok but just not where I am any more. I'll be back1

Christine said...

My parents lived in Manitou Springs when I was born. I spent many a happy hour at the shops and penny arcade and romping around Garden of the Gods. I am soooo jealous. You got a great shot of the Garden of the Gods. Glad that you had such a perfect mothers day.

MightyMom said...

glad she was able to conquer the mountain! Did she roar at the top?? :-)

I had a great Mother's Day....in a haze of drugs! haha.

I"m glad to be back too...any longer'n he'd have ruined my blog's G rating for sure! ;-)

Jamey said...

Oh my goodness...I can't believe that "staircase" to the top of the mountain!! That is amazing and even more amazing that your daughter made it to the top...not sure I could! Good luck to Jake!

Sounds like a great Mother's Day for you. Love the picture of you and the kids!

nancy said...

What a beautiful place that is.
Didn't you want to climb it yourself? I'll bet the view from up there is terrific! :)
I'm glad you had such a great Mother's Day. Mine was real good too.
Love the photo of you and your kids.
God bless,
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Wow! Those rock formations are unbelievable.

Glad you enjoyed your day!
-FringeGirl

barb said...

What a conquest!! Bravo for Danielle!

I remember driving through the Garden of The Gods with your family a few years back. Good memories!