Adventure for Four: Running About in Colorful Colorado: Adventure #4: All's Well That Ends Well

Date: Sunday, July 20th 2014
Location: Gross Reservoir

Another day of the weekend means another day spent out exploring. We left as usual nice and early, and as usual had something slow us down. This time it was Mike's front right wheel being completely unattached from the drive train with no bolts at all connecting the cv joint to the drive shaft. A quick trip to the auto parts store and no bolts meant Mike was in 2 wheel drive for the trip, and we started about 20 minutes later than expected. No harm no foul (at least not yet).

The plan for the day was to head out to Gross Reservoir, take some back roads to a handful of camp spots on the north side of the lake and set up camp by the water. The drive to the lake was some fun off-roading, nothing difficult but my confidence increases with every trail taken. There was only a couple of ascents and rutted out areas that gave me hesitation but the 4Runner handled it easily and keeps showing me I have a lot more capability than I can comfortably utilize right now...all in due time. It was the first time off-roading with the kayak on the roof and without any dramatic events we learned to check all the straps after coming off the trails and onto paved road :) The trail was great right up until the closed gate. This was the gate that would take us right to the water's edge. Option 1: Carry the 14 ft, 70 lb kayak about a quarter mile down a trail to the water, making trips for all our stuff. Option 2: Detour around the corner, traversing a slightly more difficult climb in the trucks and still have a quarter mile hike albeit flat. Option 3: Admit defeat, and make the hour drive to the other side of the lake where an actual boat ramp exists. At this point, there weren't too many happy faces in the truck and we are learning that planning these adventures properly is just as important as actually taking the trip. Note to self: call the ranger for the district ahead of time, and if your plan hinges on certain forest road access, ask them if it's open (easy enough).

We decided upon Option 2. Problem being, Mike's two wheel drive Pathfinder wasn't up for the task. Luckily we didn't even get into a hairy situation. Mike earned major kudos with Krystal by, after evaluating the difficult section, said that without 4x4 he didn't feel confident making it up. At this point, we found a nice shady spot under some trees and set up for an hour long lunch. Picnic style, complete with ice cold adult beverages and more cream cheese on a bagel then you can imagine. Erick had picked us up lunch, and grabbed Logan at bagel with cream cheese. After reducing the cream cheese thickness by half myself, Logan still thought it was hilarious to have a cream cheese mustache. Well actually it was more like a full blown goatee. Nevertheless sitting on top of the mountains with family (Mike is family at this point) and watching Logan make a disaster of this bagel was a fantastic way to spend time together. I even threw up the hammock and Logan lounged while we all sat around and chatted about nothing in particular. We all had a good laugh when Erick noticed a bee on his leg and instead of simply swatting it away, he screamed like a 10 year old girl and threw his hands into the air. It was completely out of left field, and I'll continue to remind him of just how funny it was for a long long time. It's amazing how good company can make a not-so-successful (up to this point) trip become much better. After having full bellies and enjoying some laughs, we decided to make the drive around the lake and get to the boat dock.

Fiona and I enjoyed some alone time hanging at the beach while Krystal and Logan took off following Mike and Erick (Mike has two single person kayaks). It's not often I get to give her my undivided attention so it was a nice perk of the trip to just sit around and relax with her. And I do say relax because she is SO easy and content. It must have been an hour plus when Krystal returned with Logan and a bunch of new blisters to show off just how far she paddled. I swapped roles with Krystal and took off with Logan in the kayak. Logan and I are finding this little routine that we both enjoy. He points out a spot on the shore, I paddle us over there and he hops out to explore the area. He's getting better at getting in and out of the kayak on his own, so I remain in the boat and watch him run about. This usually involves climbing about some obstacle and/or throwing rocks into the lake, typical little boy stuff. I thoroughly enjoy paddling up to shore, him hopping out and just sitting back and watching him explore a bit. It's a rewarding experience for the both of us as I never know what exactly he's going to do and more importantly it gives him confidence going alone. I can't wait for the day that he disappears for a few minutes only to come back and demand that I get out and come look at what he's found. But until then, I simply enjoy and appreciate watching him grow and mature every time he steps onto shore...