Our July 4 hike up Independence Mountain
We had one day back in Denver after our trip to California and then it was up to the mountains for the annual trip with the Dahlens. They had driven out on Friday so had a couple of days to themselves.
Chloe and Jude on the beautiful 7th tee box at The River just as the sun is setting
On Monday we went down to Keystone Lake for some stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Then Jude and Chloe played nine holes of golf at The River Course with Nate and me.
Having lunch at the Ida Belle mine ruins (what a view!)
July 4 was Tuesday and we decided to tackle a long hike. Ever since the mountain next to Keystone resort became public property in 2019 I have wanted to climb it. It is a long, uphill climb but the advantage was we could walk right out of the condo, cross the highway and get on the trail. Most of us made it to the mining ruins of Ida Belle mine at 11,500 feet. A few of us tried to push to the summit and we made it almost to 12,000 feet before having to turn back due to threatening weather. We were glad we did as lightning struck close by, just as we got back to treeline.
I played 18 holes at the River Course with Nate on Wednesday as the others went shopping in Silverthorne. We also went rafting one day and the river was fast after all the snow and rain we have had.
Dinner at Dos Locos outside
It was over all too quickly. On our last night, we did the traditional dinner at the Mexican place. After a trip to the farmers market on Friday morning Anna and I drove down to Denver so she could attend a Cheer camp at North High School. She had a blast.
Anna (second from left, back row) with her South High School cheer teammates and coaches