Wind Caves

On Halloween, with Ethan at school and Ellie at her preschool party I had the opportunity to join some friends on a trail run.  It was a beautiful day and the view was absolutely breathtaking.  We ran up to a popular local destination called the Wind Caves.  

 It wasn't too far of a distance, but the climb had me huffing and puffing to keep up.  The reward for the run up was definitely the scenery, and of course the run back DOWN the mountain.

A few days after we decided to take a family hike up to the wind caves.  We weren't quite sure about how the kids would do with the climb, but we gave it a try.

Ellie had seen my pictures from a few days before and wanted to go to the Wind Caves "so bad".  The first part of the hike she was so excited to go, but after about a mile she began to have tired legs, so we took some rest stops.  Just when we were around the corner from our destination she was begging for Daddy to carry her.  We convinced her that she could make it and that if she hiked all the way to the top by herself Dad would carry her on his shoulders all the way down.

Ethan on the other hand was tired of waiting for his slow little sister so he took the opportunity to center himself and be one with the universe.

This kid makes me laugh and I love how this picture turned out with the sun rays shining down on him.

With just a few tired complaints from the kids we all made it to the wind caves.  It took a lot longer than when I was up a few days before and it was a little later in the day so the pics turned out a little different.  

and Ellie made it to the top all by herself!!!

What a beautiful place to visit as a family and to think after 6 years of having heard of the Wind Caves we finally ventured up.  We had a great hike and can't wait to visit this place again, especially when it's a little warmer.