Ok, let's back up a little. I know the mountain is pretty, but the view came only after hours and hours of driving... across the beautiful western Kansas scene, in a snug little cab.


And it rained. Then it stopped raining.

Then we spent the night at my brother's house in Gypsum...

(I think these shoes are adorable!)

And then the next day we went to the campground.

So we continued to climb and climb

Acknowledging rules and such

Until we met a friendly (ha) marmut that kindly gave us directions to the boulderfield and on to the keyhole...

Let's play a game - "Boulderfield Bingo"

3 points for each person you can find,

2 points for each marmut,

5 points for the outhouse,

1/2 point for each boulder.

Bouncing over boulders, we looked back and saw... more boulders.

The ascent to the summit of Long's Peak

began at 4:00 am. Before the sun had risen we

cleared the tree line and enjoyed a gorgeous

sunrise throughout the morning hours.

My constant companion who rested

even when she wasn't out of breath yet

The tough troupe that we played

leap frog with until finally bonding

together at the foot of Boulderfield.