Sawtooths, ID

Since the Hill family campout is happening in Island Park/Yellowstone this year Charly and I took a quick trip down to the Sawtooth Mountains along with his dad. We originally intended to camp but when we got there realized that we had forgotten to throw a bag with some of our camping gear into the truck. It gets really cold at night up there- we didn't know it then but we would actually wake up to frost in the morning- so we booked a last minute hotel instead. It ended up being for the greater good since Em didn't sleep super well in the hotel and I can't imagine things being better in a freezing tent. It was just a one night trip but we made it good with pizza, burgers, and a hike around Hellroaring lake.

^^At the hotel, with views of the alpine glow from our room. Lest you think it was all magic, our beds were rock hard and Eliza slept for a total of 4 hours, and not straight through.

We technically hiked on two trails since the ones around each side of the lake are separate and you have to cross in and out of the lake to connect them. Also, mandatory photo of Redfish lake and a sleepy babe who I hear waking up from an at home nap right now.

Inspiration Point, WY and Breitenbach Mnt, ID

Before we went to Florida Charly woke up early to climb Breitenbach Mountain with his brother and friends. Then, a few hours later, I woke up early because, parenthood duties. Since Charly was going to be home late, not home for lunch, and when he did get home, exhausted, it seemed like I might as well go do something to give the day a little more "umph". I packed up the car for a trip to Jackson and Eliza was kind of a dreamboat the entire day. I mean, as dream-boatey as you would expect out of the mental and physical capacities of a toddler. She usually cries the entire time I get ready to go because she hates it when I leave her sight and the constant trips out to the car, going up stairs to get my shoes on and then scour the entire house for that one freaking sippy cup that doesn't leak is the epitome of an unbearable situation to her. But this time she was so, so, sweet and just watched quietly. She napped well and hardly whined the entire trip and loved being in the child carrier I borrowed last minute.

We hiked Inspiration Point, mostly because I wanted to take the side trail to Hidden Falls which unfortunately was closed. And let me tell you something, hiking with 20 pounds of deadweight on your back is tiring but also so rewarding when everyone on the trail is applauding you the entire way. I told Charly next time I was gonna put a fake baby in one and go hiking so I could get the appraisel without the actual work haha. I'm glad it all worked out so well since I honestly wasn't sure if I'd make it from the parking lot to the trailhead as I'm still recovering from surgery.

On the way back we stopped in Jackson and checked out an art gallery before eating at Persephone's bakery which was so good but, man, I hate that town. I have no idea why you'd ever want to live there and hardly an idea of why you'd stay there on vacation. You need like, 50 dollars to buy a sandwhich and an extra 30 minutes of time to drive a mile away just to find a parking space all while thinking you're going to take out a quaint little family from Kansas who are just trying to cross the road before you get there. Maybe I'd like it more if I had an extra billion dollars laying around, you know?

Meanwhile, Charly made the summit on Breitenbach...

Satellite Beach, Florida

We took our trip to Florida a little early this year for various reasons and I'm so glad we did. Watching Eliza soak up the beach, swimming, and going boating, all made for some really good memories but it was also a pretty stressful trip for other various reasons. There was one evening we went for a walk on the beach and just watched Eliza have a ball running up and down the shoreline and it's one of my favorite memories so far- the amazing part is that as we were headed back she ran up to me, half soaked in water and sand, and demanded to be held by me, and only me, because she was SO TIRED. I mean, this is the first time we've hit that point. She goes and goes and usually it's us pulling her out of the water, ending the walks, leaving the playground so we can take a break. This was the first time she was like "I'm done! My little legs can't go any further!" and it was kind of amazing and sweet how she wanted me and not even dad. (Initially I was trying real hard to get her to go to dad since it's really hard for me to carry her and walk where I'm still recovering from surgery).