Fourteeners

My hubby and I decided to drop our daughter off with grandma and grandpa for the day (it seriously happens once in a blue moon) so we could hike Quandary Peak. I thought about throwing her in the pack, but at 20 pounds, that's a load! It was a cool day for a summer hike, while it was sprinkling on us at 5:30 am we contemplated backing out. I am so glad we went ahead and hiked!

Quandary was technically my 3rd fourteener, which if you're not from Colorado means it is a peak above 14,000' over sea level. I'm not sure that Grays and Torreys should actually count for two since they are right next to each other, but technically they do. Since I am 13 months post baby I am not in the best of shape so I looked at 14ers.com to find an "easy" fourteener to climb. Hubby has also not hiked it so it was a date!

We started up, me like a total yuppie with my grande caramel latte in hand, and within a half mile I was regretting the decision to hike. I had mostly only had coffee so I was started to feel a wee bit dizzy and lightheaded. I reverted to water and a PB&J which gave me the boost to continue. The fog was so thick it looked like we were hiking the back way to heaven, we had no idea where the end was. Every so often the fog would lift enough that we could see the neighboring peak and the deep valley below which was absolutely breathtaking! We came to a point where the trail leveled off for a bit and we were followed by a mountain goat! Then came the climb . . . I was singing (not in time because it's hard to catch your breath at 12,000') "My calves are on fire . . ." my own Alicia Keys parody!

Anyway, we climbed and climbed to who knows what because we still could not see the peak. After crossing some slippery, slushy snow we had a short bit of rocky terrain to reach the top. We reached the top with a group of hikers and we all celebrated our accomplishment despite the sideways wind and rain!

Feeling the need to sing and dance and hold my hubby's hand made me realize that even though our lives have changed dramatically with our one year old, we still need to take time to be together alone.

How often do you spend time away from your children?

#14er #hiking #date #momlife