Coloma Hike

Rich took Monday, May 23rd off, so we could have a family day. On Mother's Day he learned I would like to go hiking more, so he suggested that is what we do. We searched the internet for a place we could go that would hopefully work for a 2 year old. We decided on the Monroe Ridge Trail in Coloma. It was a 4 mile loop, but we thought with a lunch break, snacks, and daddy's shoulders to ride on Ava would be okay.

The hike was great. We enjoyed being outside and together. We saw beautiful wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and even a lizard. I enjoyed being able to use my camera because Rich was there to help watch Ava. Ava loved being outside and especially like snacking on pretzels while on Rich's shoulders. She did a good job and walk at least a mile. She did not complain at all and fell asleep in Rich's arms the last few minutes of our hike. It was a great family outing and we hope to hike more trails together.

Beginning of the trail. Here we go...

Ava picked the first flower she saw and smelled it.

During our lunch break Ava kept taking Rich's lunch meat off his sandwich. We were both surprised because she usually won't eat meat. I guess this day she needed the extra protein.Ava and I going down the trail. It is nice she still likes to hold hands.

Ava sitting in a Manzanita tree. She loves being up in trees.

Ava enjoyed taking a short break on this log.

Rich was wonderful and carried Ava when needed. In this picture they are next to one of Rich's favorite trees, a Manzanita.

We found this giant dandelion like flower and thought it would be fun to blow the seeds. Rich tried and tried, but the seeds wouldn't budge.

This was around the halfway point in our hike. We reached a vista point and could see the river. We were excited. Ava made us laugh because she kept holding onto Rich's hair while on his shoulders. She wasn't gentle either. Rich kept joking that he was going to have a receding hairline before the hike was over.

This rock was at the bottom of our hike. It is the trail marker. I think we hiked the trail backwards, but whatever.

Almost back to the car and Ava is fast asleep. She held off until the last 5 minutes.

Coloma is actually a neat historical town. It is where gold was first discovered in California. We quickly toured the historical sites because it was at the end of our journey and we were tired.