Mountains of the East vs Mountains of the West

So it worked out for our family that Jake could actually get leave for our family vacation this year!  It has been about two years since we have really done an extended (i.e. more than a long weekend) vacation.  Needless to say we were so excited for this one.  Also, it just happened that there was less than a week between Jake's and my family reunions.  So we turned it into a huge road trip/camping trip.  I mean is there any better way to explore?!
To briefly summarize the trip we drove to the Great Smokey Mountains for the Monson Family Reunion. Then we drove to Mammoth Cave and visited on our own.  Then we drove to Rocky Mountian National Park, where we camped and slowly more and more of my family members showed up to camp with us.  Finally the last week we spent in the same area for the Doelling family reunion.

Monson Family Reunion Highlights

• Corn hole tournament.  This was a lot of fun and Jake and Christian won the whole tournament (don't ask me how those two rigged it so they could be on the same team).
  
• Visiting the historic sites in Cades Cove.

  

  The oldest cabin in the park (that still exists)

  
  
  
  
  

  

  An old Methodist Church (one of many in the area)

  
  

  

  A view of the Smokies in the distance.

  
  
  
• Doing a hike on our own on the Alum Cave Trail all the way up Mt. Le Conte.

  

  A happy boy on top of the New Newfoundland Gap Pass

  
  

  

  Yes, we caught the Smokies on a very "smokey" morning

  
  

  

  A cool tunnel on the trail

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  At Alum Cave (which is really an overhang)

  
  

  

  On Top

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  The littlest hiker that day

  
  
  

The Mist in the Mountains

Tennessee to Colorado Drive

• Mammoth Cave (we didn't get any pictures inside).  Due to the unfortunate rule that you couldn't take any bags, we couldn't change Pace's diaper (which he filled right at the start of the tour) until after the 2 hour tour.  Poor pace, but he did enjoy toucing the walls, which were much to close to prevent baby fingers from touching.  Luckily the formations were found in the wider sections.  Also, can I just say cave crickets are gross!
  
  
  
  

  

  A baby deer we saw that was temporarily separated from his mother :(

• Sleeping in the Car                                                                                                                  

Camping in the Rockies

• Amazing Views From our campsite
  
• Trail Ridge Road
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
•  Alluvial Fan

  

  Bighorn Sheep

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Can you see the sign poking up through the flood damage?

• Emerald Lake Hike

  

  Nymph Lake

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Emerald Lake

  
  

  

  Pace enjoying the view (yes, he loves the outdoors)

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Our picnic spot that day (if you look closely you will see 2 picnic tables under it).  It was a huge tree!

  
  
  

Doelling Reunion Highlights

• Family Trivia Game
• Paper Rock Scissors Tournament
• Ouzel Falls Hike
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  One of my favorite pictures of the trip

  
  

  

  Calypso Cascades

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Ouzel Falls

  
  

  

  Thats Sam up there (remember he is 6'4'', so it was a pretty tall waterfall).

  
  
  
• Isabelle Lake Hike (we ran into a lot of snow!)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Pace's Birthday Party (we celebrated a week early so my family could be there)
  
  
  

  

  He was a little timid at first

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Pace got bored opening presents (I'm not sure at what age they start understanding that).

 We just feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful vacation.  We had a blast and luckily missed some of the illnesses going around so we could enjoy the whole thing.