Family Time: Glendo Dam Wetlands Interpretive Trail

What a beautiful day we had yesterday and it was the perfect day to go for a hike. It was a beautiful change of weather after having frigid cold winter days where we rarely go out exploring. On days like this, it would be a shame if we don't go for a hike and so we did. After doing a little house cleaning and packing, I got the kids ready for the hike and we hit the road. We have not explored all the areas around the Glendo Lake or State Park, so we decided wherever the wheels take us, that's where we are going. And we ended up going to the Glendo Dam Wetlands Interpretive Trail for a 1.8 mile hike. It was not much of a hike for us, but it was really good to be out on a warm, sunny, beautiful day. 

It was so nice and warm yesterday that we saw a bunch of wildlife from Deer, Antelope, Rabbits, Caterpillars busy crossing the road, bugs, and what not. People were also out and about on their RVs, ATVS, bikes, cars and some were fishing at the lake. When you get the chance of a warm weather, you better enjoy it. 

Now that the weather is starting to warm up, my husband and I talked about investing in a couple of Hydration backpack for kids. NO! Scratch that. Make it four (4) Hydration Backpacks for all four of us. I mean, we go on quite a lot of hikes that toting bottles with us has become really inconvenient and the hydration backpack would be very handy to have. And man, those hydration backpacks aren't cheap. Well, there are some cheap ones, but we want to get the ones that are of quality and can last us for many hikes, and worth the buy. Do you guys have any recommendations for Kid's Hydration Backpack? Thanks in advance! 

Anyway, I hope your weather yesterday was also nice and you got to spend some time outdoors. I hope you enjoy our photos! Have a wonderful Monday, everyone!!! 

This is also a great area to go on a bike ride. Less traffic and safer this way. Plus, you get that great view along the river. And if you want to stop and fish, you can do that too. Just as long as you have your license. I wish now we have both of our bikes with us and a bike trailer for the kids. 

There were two options for us to choose from. If we feel a little adventurous, we can go on the Rocky River trail, but if you we want the more smoother hike, we can go on the road where there was no ice/snow, mud, and huge boulders along the trail. But we love a little adventure, so the Rocky River it was. 

Snacking along the way. 

Great tip for hiking with kids is to bring plenty of food and water. Well, not just for the kids, but for mom and dad as well. 

She is old enough that she can carry her own backpack and load it with snacks and some wipes. 

Observation Pier

These two had so much energy when we started our day. 

One of the things that our little man loves to do on a hike is to climb rocks. It's fun! It's up there with stomping in mud puddles on the trail. 

Daddy was teaching the two little hikers that we can eat snow at times when we ran out of water. 

Shhh... don't bother him. He is in deep thoughts about our future. 

Oh! I forgot to tell you that he also loves to collect whatever things that interest him along the trail. And particularly rocks. And I want you to know that in that backpack are heavy rocks that he collected so he can give them to his classmates and his teacher, so they can make pet rocks. He said; "Mama, we should take these smooth and shiny rocks to school so I can ask Mrs. Frederick that we paint them, and glue eyes and nose". And yes, we collected rocks and at first I was carrying them, but I was carrying so many things, so he volunteered to carry it for me. Because he said he is strong and he is a big boy now. Sweet boy! 

Both of our kids did really well yesterday and it was our little girl's first time to walk that far. We can tell she was so tired, but every time we ask her if she wants to ride on mommy's back or wants something to eat or drink, all she was saying was "NO". And she just took off without even waiting on us. Finally, she gave up and rode on the Piggyback Rider on our way back to the JEEP. I thought she was about to fall asleep as she was leaning on my shoulder's but as soon we got back to our vehicle, the two of them were ready to play some more. I guess it must have been the warm sunny weather that made them so alive. 

Feeling brave and independent.