Steve took me on my first backpacking expedition a couple of weeks ago to the Maroon Bells outside of Aspen. The hike we did is called the four pass loop, a 27 mile loop over 4 12,000 foot summits. He took his scouts on it last year and I was jealous so he made arrangements for us to go. It was worth every minute, well except the minutes we were attacked by huge mosquito's and horseflies, HUGE. And those few other minutes where you really wish there was a potty around, but every other minute I loved. I love to see such natural beauty, God created beauty.
I was amazed by all the flowers. If only I had one of those darn Nikon D40's I would have been able to give you a better sense of the glory of these flowers.
I must say I was also very impressed by Steve's skills. That Eagle scout badge or pin paid off, he was makin' dinner, making fires with a magnifying glass or maybe it was a match, filtering water from the stream, and carrying about 10 more pounds than me.
Speaking of carrying the weight, about 10 minutes into the trip my shoulders were killing me. I kept trekking along not wanting to complain, but I stopped and adjusted my pack. I was expecting Steve to say, "oh dear, if you are hurting now we are in trouble". But he just said, "you have to get used to it, you'll be fine." I wasn't convinced. I readjusting everything in my pack and continued on. About 10 minutes later the pain was gone. I think I went numb. Then my hip started hurting, but then it went numb? Every few hours I would get a new pain and then it would disappear. 
- The trip was over 3 days and 2 nights. Each day we would wake up around 5, make breakfast, break camp and head to the summit. We would typically summit before 2pm and head down the mountain the make camp. Then we would sleep, talk, read and play a card game or two. Oh and get eaten alive by mosquito's (note to self, that Cutter crap repellent does not work.) Steve said he did not remember this attack last year. This one guy had a hat with a net over his face, never have I coveted anything more. So anyway, any entertainment you want at camp you have to carry on your back, so we weren't about to bring Carcossonne or our laptop. It was just us. Lots of time to talk, be wierd, and enjoy the fresh Colorado mountain air.
I loved it. Thanks hon and HUGE thanks to Gma's and Gpa's and for watching the babes.
