Parika Lake with the Ladies!

When we moved to Colorado and I joined my beloved mental health team, I knew right away this was a unique, and very super special team.  These was a team of people (mostly ladies) who cared about the work they did, and most of all cared about each other.  Joining in I felt a little bit on the outside because of just how tight everyone was.  Soon I joined the group and relished in all the awesomeness of our team.  We would all joke that our retreats would be something for an SNL skit, because of just how lovey-dovey it was.  But when you were in it, you just loved every single second of it.  No one could touch us.  Until they did, and soon our team was no longer.  Duh-duh-duh.  Anyways...a year ago our team went through a huge transition and we weren't the team we used to be.  Fast forward to Spring semester, and despite all the changes what was constant was the WOMENS' Hike!

Even the best project manager might have rolled their eyes at the scheduling it took to schedule anything related to this trip:  the meetings to discuss where to go, the emails to figure out how to figure out where we were going, when we were going, where we were going to meet, how long, who brings what, the meeting to discuss who would bring what, etc.  I mean seriously... I was so impressed by everyone's ability to stay the course despite countless reschedules and texts and emails.  This was going to happen, no matter what!

So of all ladies who expressed interest, there were 5 of us that went.  Kim, Nina, Paula, Julia and myself.  Because what happens in girl camp stays in girl camp, I will document some highlights.

• MOOSE-there were moose everyday wandering around, and even on the last day a pair of moose visited Julia and I (the only ones awake at the time) right RIGHT at our camp.
• Picture taking-I never realized until Russell mentioned how many pictures I took, but picture taking was an acceptable, and even ENCOURAGED activity.  This has not been my experience when going with guys, ahem, Russell. 
• No pressure-there was truly no pressure.  No pressure to go fast, no pressure to hike extra, no pressure to go to bed or stay up, no pressure to share food or not, you get the point.
• Beautiful scenery...it just fostered exploration.
• Rockslide-I witnessed my first rockslide in the wild:)  It was amazing how small this one was, yet so loud!

The last day was fantastic.  Due to a faulty sleeping pad the first night, I had figured out how to use my backpack as a pad.  I actually slept amazingly well, and woke up before anyone.  I made my coffee and sat out on a rock.  I could hear the stream and the birds.  I felt the most peaceful I have felt in a long time.  I witnessed a moose running across the stream, and felt so content that I saw moose every day.  My friend Julia was next up and we sat talking by the fire pit for a few minutes, when I looked over and saw two MOOSE 10 feet away.  Julia and I actually felt the need to hide behind a tree because they were so close.  They went over to the tents and sniffed around, which Nina later recalled thinking she heard us snoring!!  Not quite-just a MOOSE right by your head Nina!  

Anyways, I loved being with these ladies.  It's not every girl that you can go backpacking with and hike 20+ miles in the forest and still

completely love!  I love that my man was so excited for me to go and experience some good ol' Colorado  fun.  And thankful that my mother-in-law was out here to help watch the kids so this could be possible.  

Such good times, and I'm looking forward to this annual trip!

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Momma