Spring Break...?

Well, Reese's spring break has ended, and it seems like it went by too fast and too crazy. RD had been on-call for CSU's emergency line which kept us homebound, but it thankfully ended Friday. We got an offer for a free photobook, so I spent all my 'free time' in the last week or so trying to create a first year book for Grace. So Reese didn't get as much attention on spring break; and he wasn't exactly asking for help with his homework over the break. (that show-and-tell project is due tuesday!) Anyway, I finally finished the book friday night around 11pm, and Satruday we all took a needed adventure at RMNP in Estes Park.
When we first got there, we stopped for lunch around the Alluvial Fan, which has a bunch of rocks the boys can climb on while I fed Grace. We were at our picnic table when a bunch of cars drove up, and we were surrounded by a deaf community get-together. It was really weird to be around these people we feel an affinity to, and yet not be able to talk to and be outside this culture. Our kids got a lot of looks, and one man spoke to us. Another man waved, and then a second too late I realized he had signed 'hello', and I had missed the chance to reciprocate. I wanted to know what to say so much! But the signs I know are more about want/need objects and singing songs. When we finished up and headed to our car, two people in the group had mistaken our van for their identical one, so we had the chance to interact more. As I tried to sign 'our van' with my hands full of picnic items, I regretted not working harder on my ASL. (darn it, what exactly is the sign for same?!) Thinking I know a sign, and then using it with a fluent person is totally different! Another man explained to them, then after attempting to talk to us they left; all I could think of to say was 'thank you' (i never tell grace i'm sorry in sign). A few minutes later one of the people walked by again, and started signing. All i managed to remember in my flustered state was 'silly car'. When she continued the one-sided conversation, I managed to sign 'no ASL'. She said something else, then started to turn away; I said 'goodbye', she returned it, and we parted. It is so awkward having kids that are kind of in this culture, being hard of hearing, but none of us being able to really sign. At events with families with hearing loss, we often feel a little on the outskirts since we're not in the world of signing, but I wonder how much our kids will identify with deaf culture, and want them to have the chance if they want it.
Anyway, I digress...
We took a diversion from our usual hikes around Sprague and Bear Lake to check out the Morraine Park area, on the Cub Lake Trail; I had low expectations about it's appeal (lots of brown grass and rocks, yeah!).
It turned out to be one of our favorite hikes. It had a beautiful view of peaks, fields, and gorgeous tree-lined paths that were relatively flat, with a few steep parts. (Maybe it was just RD that made it seem so gorgeous [whatever Deb...]) Cameron several times volunteered, "this is so cool", which was encouraging! It even had a creek the boys could throw rocks into, which is their favorite hike activity. RD was excited to see quite a few trout in it. Grace had fun checking it all out, and loved rolling in the dirt and pullling up the grass. On the way home, we finally checked out a roadside jams and jellies store, and got some chokecherry syrup, which grows wild in Colorado-- Yum!

This shot is for Mama Carol and Papa; I don't know if they read it, but here's one for you!