Hiking Adventures

Yesterday I was looking for a tape measure and instead found something else that had been missing: my cd case with all of my picture cds in it. I found my pictures of Bangs Canyon in them. Yay! For those of you who have never really been to Colorado or who have but didnt know the secret hiding places, I am going to share these pictures with you. Bangs Canyon is a canyon (duh) is in the Grand Junction area. Its west of the city sort of in the National Monument, and you have to go up a back route to get there instead of going straight up the Monument.

Last April, me and my best friend, Jennifer, and her boyfriend Brandon, went up there. Of course we brought Trent and we had so much fun that we had to go back the next day. This time we brought Michael who has this natural tendency to dress like a tourist. Its pretty funny watching him. One of the interesting traits of Bangs canyon is the old Mica Mine. Its really neat to be in a half cave of Mica surrounding you. Oh to take some of it home! Unfortunately, taking some off the ground is considered illegal. It would figure I come home and find Trents pockets full of it! Boys will be boys.

Ok now for some pictures. Hope you enjoy them!
The first three are at the beginning of the canyon. Isnt it a gorgeous site?

In the third picture, you can see a little bit of red. This is the Indian Paintbrush that grows naturally up there.

One thing I love about hiking is the little streams and brooks. They truly do 'babble' to you as you are exploring! And then there are little boys who naturally have to be in them!

And there are also lizards! This one I shot a picture of while he was quite happy just sitting there.

Here is Trent again. Notice where he is standing: little boy + water = mud. Yes, he did get a bath as soon as he got home!! After the barbecue of course.

Hi Jen!!

Jennifer doesnt really like to smile for pictures. Occasionally I can get her to do it.

Oh look! Its two boys in the water. The bigger little boy is Brandon. He and Trent were having fun with squirt guns they had brought along.

Here is Brandon again. I am sure he is up to no good!

This is another lizard only he just happens to be much fatter than the other ones. What was funny about this one was that when we first saw him, he was doing push ups on the rock. Literally!

This view was simply breathtaking! It was when you first come out of the canyon and start to go into the Mica area.

This is where the 'road' seems to change. Notice the contrast of the glittery white with the brown. This is how you know the Mica Mine is right around the corner. Literally sinces you go over a little hill and directly to the left is the mine.

Here is a rare shot of a tourist..oh wait...thats Michael.

If he were to go to another country,he would have absolutely no trouble looking like a tourists, although he may scare other tourists away.

Boys, touri..ahem men and water!!!

Ok. I am small, have four legs, a tail, and I camouflage very well. Can you find me?

Here are some better views of the mine itself. Michael and Trent are in a little 'cave' thing that is really neat.

Here is the mine from the right hand side. It has more trees and stuff surrounding it. Notice how it seems to be almost like a half cave.

Ok time for a panoramic view. The other one is of the larger cave that you can climb up. The rocks are really sharp too! I felt bad for the poor dogs that were there.

That is one happy dog!

After we visited the Mica Mine, we decided to hike a little farther to see what we would find. We found what appeared to be a series of mini waterfalls and some rocks that had a steep incline. Of course the boys had to check it out so we girls had to follow.

Ok well thats all the pictures for now. I hope you enjoyed them. I will try to get some more pictures of Trent and birthday party he went to today posted tomorrow.