Steven Crisp:
Found a good campsite at Hartley Springs CG, but needed a second exit step
Steven Crisp:
Man 'o man, those are some big honking trees
Steven Crisp:
And I guess this is where they all come from
Steven Crisp:
Hilly, rocky forests surround our campground
Steven Crisp:
Steven and his photography and backpacking getup
Steven Crisp:
Quite the cagey root system these old fallen sentinels have
Steven Crisp:
Carol's zoom lens captures the noisemaker!
Steven Crisp:
Movie: Woodpecker noise we had been hearing, and for which, Carol captured a picture of said woodpecker
Steven Crisp:
There's my tree hugger!
Steven Crisp:
Movie: Greg shows off Luigi voice command (plus treat) skills
Steven Crisp:
Greg, Katherine, and Luigi as we close in on the trail head for Rainbow Falls
Steven Crisp:
Well, we found a parking spot! And hey look, I'm taller than Greg!
Steven Crisp:
Off on our adventure to Rainbow Falls, via the Devil's Post Pile
Steven Crisp:
Katherine and Luigi look happy to be out and about
Steven Crisp:
Another view of this crazy geology -- look at the hexagonal shapes of all that rock
Steven Crisp:
And the dead tree roots are competing for some crazy ships and grain as well
Steven Crisp:
Everyone is looking good and doing so well on the hike so far (though it has been cool and downhill so far). Could this be foreshadowing?
Steven Crisp:
Well, Luigi decided the ~8,000' elevation makes the sun a little hotter, so he'd like to rest in the shade, if ya'll don't mind!
Steven Crisp:
Beautiful aspen filtering some of the intense sun
Steven Crisp:
As it turns out, Luigi is recovering from a recent serious auto-immune issue, and he's slowly gaining back his strength, and toughening up his paws again. And he sure is adorable!!!
Steven Crisp:
Greg looks happy to be out and about visiting and hiking!
Steven Crisp:
Yep, those are some nice falls. Looks like we have a few Instagram divas posing on the rock (with a waiting line ;-)
Steven Crisp:
Well Luigi made it (along with his "Pawrents"), and now he can cool off in the cold water from the falls
Steven Crisp:
Hey look -- even the Grand-Pawrents made it! Woohoo!
Steven Crisp:
Lots of frolicking going on around the falls -- such a beautiful (and quite warm) day.
Steven Crisp:
Oh boy Luigi, I bet that feels really good on your paws!
Steven Crisp:
Everybody is all smiles now that we've made it to Rainbow Falls (and we get a lunch break)
Steven Crisp:
Hi Luigi! Coming over to greet the photographer, eh?
Steven Crisp:
Needed proof that Steven made it as well. So he's throwing out a shaka!
Steven Crisp:
Right back atcha, Dad ... And I'll raise you a Thumbs Up!
