Cabin Trip 2011: Part 1

Technically I already started posting from the Cabin trip, since the photos of Abby were taken there. But anyway.

In 2009 we went to the Upper Peninsula of MI (7 hours).
In 2010 we went to the tip of the Mitt of MI (5 hours).
This year we went halfway up the west coast of MI (3 hours).

I see a pattern. Regardless, it was still a beautiful place and very relaxing. Sadly, we were missing several of the usual suspects (you know who you are).

The Cabin.

As you can see, it had two levels. The upper level was bigger and our main lounging location. The downstairs apartment was perfect for sleeping babies to get away from yelling toddlers. There was a 3 acre fenced dog run to boot. Yes, 3 acres. When I first let the dogs loose in there I panicked. I couldn't see the end of it--what if it wasn't really fenced? After a good 20 minute walk around I satisfied myself of its soundness. But it was all for naught. The dogs spent the ENTIRE time sitting by the gate.

The Dogs.

The inside of the cabin was perfect. It came complete with HUNDREDS of toddler toys, books, and gadgets. The kids were in heaven. I didn't take many inside pictures because lounging people aren't that photogenic. But, lounging kids are pretty photogenic.

The Kids.

Our Daughter

She makes me smile and laugh. Life must have been so boring before we had her.

Laughing.



Being silly.

On the Beach

Napping on the way.

Almost there after getting lost for an hour.

Digging a hole.


Sitting in hole.


Getting tickled.

Dancing.

Chasing butterflies.

Contemplating life.

Collecting water.

Swimming.

Running Down Dunes

These were taken on the shore of Lake Michigan in Grand Mere State Park (one of only two beaches in Michigan where dogs are allowed!). What fun.

Climbing up.

Brian. Our role model.

Testing the slope.

Abby.


Rowan.

Post-ESA Fun

After the conference ended we said a sad farewell to Grandma Messy and Rachel and headed back to New Mexico via Las Cruces. After a long day in the car, riddled with pleas from Abby to stop at the gas station so she could squeeze out three drops of pea, we arrived in Las Cruces to the welcome of Paco, the cutest little one-eyed dog in existence, and Dennis' parents, two very welcoming and generous folks. Abby and I were both sick with a nasty cold at that point, so the two of us headed to bed early, but in the morning we enjoyed a full pancake, bacon, and eggs breakfast and a dip in the pool. Then we headed up to Albequerque, where we picked Alex up from the airport after a delicious lunch (and refreshments) at Chama River Brewing Company. That night we ate dinner and relaxed around a backyard fire.

Zoning out.

The fire.

Relaxing.

The next day we headed into the hills for a "little hiking." I put it in quotation marks, because I've become accustomed to flat lands of Michigan and thus, what used to qualify as a "little hiking" is now actually a lung-searing, leg-burning, feat of super-human prowess.

Map of where we went. (Penasco at the top, Truchas peak at bottom)

Elevation profile.

For comparison: the hardest, hilliest route I have run in Ann arbor.

Please note:

A) the beginning elevation in Ann Arbor is 950 ft and the beginning elevation in NM is 9,200 ft
B) the (generously calculated) maximum elevation gain in Ann Arbor is 200 ft and the elevation gain in NM is 2,000 ft.

Suffice it to say that I was out of breath, dizzy, and sweating profusely after about a half mile. It didn't let up over the next 4.5 miles. The lack of oxygen combined with the surroundings, however, were elating!

The woods.

The company.

Mossy trees.

Intrepid explorers.




Flowers.

Jack.

At the top of the trail there was a lovely little pond and a beautiful backdrop for a picnic.

The pond.

While we ate lunch, we noticed someone robbing a campsite across the pond. The someone happened to be four-legged and had a nice set of horns on his head. Olivia managed to sneak up really close and get some even better photos (featured on her blog).

The camp robber.

It was a wonderful day, and ended with more good food and relaxing around the backyard fire.

The next and last day of our stay we drove up the Rio Grande and around to Taos, a little touristy town in nowhere NM. Along the way we crossed over this bridge. Its name escapes me, but it's really high.

The bridge.

The view.

Taking in the view.

For lack of a wittier, better ending, what a wonderful vacation!