2011 trip to Shrockendo

In 1950 Chris' grandparents built a cabin in Platoro, CO. They lived there while Chris' granddad was working as an engineer on the reservoir. Chris' family has maintained it and he's has gone every summer of his life except two (thanks to grad school!). I was blessed to go with him the first summer we were dating. We like to refer to it as the place we fell in love. The cabin has no electricity, a pot belly stove to keep you warm, a kerosene stove to cook on and kerosene lanterns for lights. It's wonderful! The first few years I went you didn't shower unless you went over and paid for one and you used an outhouse. Since then a bathhouse has been added in back and the most recent development is the new cabin Chris' parents built next door.

This summer we were blessed to get to take Elle for her first time. We spent 4 days over the 4th of July holiday and had a blast. She wasn't really into hiking, but she did enjoy herself. Can't you tell from this face?
She didn't even seem bothered by the 40 degree weather at night. We tried to give Elle the full experience.

One of her favorite things was watching the horses who belong to the guy whose cabin is right behind us.

She saw a rescued baby chipmunk being fed. She didn't want to touch it even when Daddy was holding it.


Her bed, an original to the cabin, I think slept in by all Shrock kids now.

Chris taught her how to build a fire. (Not outside though because of the burn bans.)

When I say full experience, I mean full! A bath in the wash tub by the pot belly stove.

She saw snow on Conejos Peak, the highest point in the county. It's hazy because of smoke blown in from nearby wildfires.

A picnic by a little waterfall and some rock throwing in the Rockies.

She fed peanuts to chipmunks on the deck.

And of course watching the annual 4th of July parade and attending the potluck!



You can see more of our trip on our shutterfly website.