Family Trip to Groundhog

I knew we couldn't stay away long. The call of the mountain was just too much for us! We had to go back to CO a little more than 48 hours after we left it. Clarence's had to work on Tuesday after Memorial Day, so that night (or morning) about 3 we left again. This time with 3 of 4 of our kids. Clarissa was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the dance festival, so she stayed with Aunt Cat for the week.
We pulled into Groundhog about 8 or so and the trees were alive with elk and deer. The kids had so much fun trying to spot the elk, and Ethan even spotted a baby elk. It was on the side of the road caught between 2 fences. The mom was on the hill watching the baby since it coulsn't jump the fence to be with her. We stopped to look at it a little and took a picture... witht he cell phone that didn't turn out very well. Grr for packing my camera out of reach. Anwyay, it was TINY and had while spots. Clarence said it was probably about 2 or so days old. We gave it quite a scare getting near it, and the mom elk was on high alert so we left it alone. As soon as we got in the car the momma came barreling down the mountain to check on her baby. It was cool to see.
After getting closer to the "cabin" we were surprised to see about 20 elk laying around the trailer. We of course scared them away, but it was neat for the kids to see.
The first item of business for these kids was to explore. We turned them loose and watched them squeal and run around. Karly didn't care much for the uneven ground, but she sure liked the taste of sticks!

Later that day we did a little fishing. We didn't fish for too long, but we still caught a couple of dandy fish. We probably threw as many away as we kept, so we didn't do too bad for an hours worth.

Ethan spotted a chipmink and wanted to shoot it. His dad didn't care, so he spent the next couple of hours shooting at those little critters. This was the best part of the whole trip for him!!!

Kaitlyn got sick the first day and jsut kinda took it easy and listened to music and did puzzles. She has a hard time with higher elevation, and we think she got a little bit of altitide sickness. The best thing for her was to take it easy and chill. I felt so bad for her. We were able to get some medication called in for her and my parents, who were coming the next day, were able to pick it up for us. Thank goodness for parents!!!!

That night before we had dinner we took the kids on a little 4 wheeler ride. We wanted to show them a little bit of wildlife before it got dark. We were not disappointed. We saw a black bear that was scared to death of us, and a big herd of elk and deer about 1/2 mile from our camp. crazy!! We all thought it was cool.

The next day my mom and dad came to visit. YEAH!!!!! As soon as they got there we went fishing at our favorite little honey hole. Everyone who fished caught something, but I caught the big daddy of them all.

16 inches (by measurement of a letherman) and 2 1/2 lbs.... ish this was a real trophy. Here are the fish from that trip. Another great day of fishing!

Karly was so afraid of the fish at first, but once she touched them she thought that she had to touch every one that was pulled in. It was kinda funny.

More fishing pictures from when my DAD and Clarence caught pretty much all the fish. They were cleaning them in the stream and then that night we broiled and ate that night, YUMMY!!


Once again on the last day I had to hike the mountain. This time I went with my mom while my dad and Clarence rode the 4 wheelers up. We beat them to the top. We wanted to take more pictures from the top, but the fire that was burining in Az (the wallow fire) had sent the smoke right our way. It had settled over the lake and was impossible to see any of the peaks. Sorry mom. Next time.

Clarence and the kids built a fort while they were there with some of the fallen trees. Ethan got a hatchet a couple of years ago for his birthday, and Kalityn got one from Papa on this trip for an early birthday present. Dangerous? I think yes. But so far no injuries to report.

All in all it was a good trip and I'm so glad my mom and dad got to come up and spend time with our family. They're awesome parents, and someday I hope to grow up and be just like them. The kids were mostly happy and got along, and Karly screamed pretty much for 5 hours on the way home. Good times, good times. Thanks for the great family trip, kids. Can't wait till next time when we do this again... this time with Clarissa!!!!