By the Numbers

First let me say that, if you are ever kayaking in shorts and your friends suggest that you put some sunscreen on your legs, and you think, "nah, I could use some color anyway," and neglect to apply said sunscreen, remember that lobster red is not necssarily the kind of color you might want to acquire.

Okay, that health department warning out of the way, here's the weekend in numbers: (I wanted to make this into a song a'la "The Twelve Days of Christmas," but I'm too lazy).

12 - number of donuts brought along on trip, in honor of fact that after leaving the States next week, I can't get them.

11 - 000 feet. Elevation of tree line in Colorado, which we hiked above on our Saturday hike to Ruby Jewel lake at the base of Mt. Clark, (elevation 12,951).

10 - tents used to house all of us for the weekend at Ranger Lakes campground.

9 - wire marshmellow squewers utilized for massive S'more and hot dog consumption.

8 - miles we estimate we hiked on Saturday. This is only funny because we set out on what we were told was a 3 mile round trip trek! Remember the hiker's mantra: "you're almost there."

7 - satellites spotted on the clear, starry night Saturday.

6 - fish caught by resident fly-fisherman, Alex.

5 - dogs keeping us company. Jack, the Siberian Husky; Moxie, the Blue Healer; Ella, the labrawiener (lab-daschund mix); Haley, the black lab, and Timber, the jumpy Australian Sheepdog!

4 - mountain bikes shared between us all.

3 - kayaks strapped to the top of Marcie's truck and then paddled around out in North Michigan reservoir Saturday and Sunday.

2 - bottles of wine consumed to make sleep on the ground more, um, comfortable.

1 - moose sighting. One wandered through our campsite Sunday morning!