On the drive home, the odometer hit a unique mileage…

Colorado has been a vacation destination for our family since 1995, when Jim and I spent our honeymoon there. It never fails–every time we head east for home, we gaze with sadness in the rearview mirror at the slowly disappearing mountains. Now the sadness is even multiplied, for not only are we saying goodbye to the mountains, but also our firstborn.

We spent one of our final days there hiking in a vast forest preserve.

Not only was the view spectacular,

it was also a huge science lab. Though we never saw any wildlife, we found plenty of evidence that they were in our midst. From animal scat (we think from bison) to holes in the ground, we delighted in exploring and hypothesizing.

When we returned to the cabin, we enjoyed a great night of games. And Jake taught his brothers how to do a fireman’s carry.

The day before leaving, we experienced a winter storm which dumped at least six inches of snow on the ground. The snow looked like Dippin Dots!

Thankfully, the car made it up the steep, snow-covered driveway when it was time to return Jake the next day. It was a sad goodbye.

Will it ever be easy?

We savored our time together last week and have been thankful to God for His protection and provision.