We recently drove up Pikes Peak Highway to hike around Crystal Creek Reservoir.

Troy took the time on the way up to pose for his senior portrait overlooking Colorado Springs and Cascade.

Since it was late afternoon, we were pretty much the only people there.

Except for the crew that was conducting a kayak photo shoot.

While we were hiking around the reservoir, I mentally pictured myself in a kayak and then decided I probably should get a canoe. It seems safer.

The Aspens are starting to turn, that’s what happens here right before we get pummeled with nine months of snow.

That’s Pikes Peak right there in the middle of this photo, I kept saying “It’s right there!” which isn’t annoying at all.

We all reveled in the beauty of nature until we just mostly wanted to go back to the car for beef jerky and a juice box.

P.S. The Miracle Marathon starts tomorrow and I’m more than halfway to my fundraising goal. You can sponsor one of my 27 miles here if you are into that sort of thing.

Happy Monday, beef jerky for everyone.