A Father's Day hike in Colorado

Father's Day Celebration was different this year as Matt and I were honored by being accompanied by our family on a 5 1/2 mile hike to the top of Horsetooth Mountain in the Front Range just west of Fort Collins at the edge of the Rocky Mountains. From our view point of this photo we were looking into Wyoming and among the peaks at our back Matt and Laura think they identified Long's Peak which they hiked some years back (pre-children years).  

If you are thinking John Paul heard his name called by his mom about the time this photo was taken you would be right. Whenever we stopped for a rest and there were rocks to climb, and overlooks to look over, John Paul heard his name shortly after we stopped.  

 He is strongly related in that interest to both his dad and his paternal grandfather for sure.

Getting to the top required a bit of a scramble as Charles would have called it. And Charles and the hikes he took the kids on in Penang were remembered and compared often on this adventure.

There was more than one scramble and some serious steps too, one set carved into the rocks and a couple of places with rather slippery gravel that caused a scrape or two.

There were lots of nice stretches too and wildflowers galore. The purple lupine is one of my favorite flowers and about the only one I can identify, or one of its family. Isaac, not in this photo, as on the way up he was usually in front. He can flat out walk up a hill and scramble up some boulders.

 One of our resting points I tried to get  picture of Patt and the kids, not so much luck at getting a "hey everyone look at the camera and say "Hey Granddaddy". At least Patt looked at me.

On the way back down I didn't even ask — but it was fun, we are already talking about next hike.

With the oldest two - and only two - granddaughters, Julianna and Lydia, both excellent hikers. The big three kids each carry their own water in camelback packs, (note the pack next to Julianna).

A good part of the trail downhill involved a road that was easy walking and gave Patt some good visiting time.

and Matt and Laura too.

we had a beautiful day for a hike 

a beautiful place for a hike

and thanks to Matt for this and several of the photos.