Stones Family Reunion 2012

This year for our family reunion we decided to 'get away.' Andi found an amazing cabin up in Fairplay, CO (near Breckenridge) that would fit our entire family (cabin is an understatement it was more like a lodge). Everyone got work off and we spent 4 amazing days together in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. 

Here is some interesting facts about Fairplay, CO.  Fairplay was founded in 1859 by gold prospectors who'd been driven from nearby Tarryall. The miners at Tarryall had staked more claims than they could possibly work but they wouldn't give up anything to the newcomers and chased them all away. Fairplay got its name from these new prospectors who were willing to guarantee that any newcomer would "get a Fair Play" there. In the end, Tarryall is gone and Fairplay is still here, a thriving community built at almost 10,000 feet in elevation.

I would say that our family is full of crazy creative people and this was definitely proven the first day during our fort building. We split up into groups and built forts in the woods behind the cabin. It was so much fun to see everyone's different ideas and to be together creating and using our imaginations. This also allowed for hours of entertainment throughout the weekend as the forts began to grow and became jedi and ninja training camps. (I was tired one day and, while everyone was building, I took a nap in one of the forts. I am happy to know that when the work ends my family will be able to build good comfortable forts to live in.)

 

We went on a very cool hike up Limber Grove Trail.  This is a pretty easy hike that takes you out of the timber line to a group of old Bristlecone pine "character" trees. These trees (some of which are over 1,000 years old) sit high on the mountain where dry heat, fierce winds, cold winters and many severe elements hit them; this would make you THINK they would die off quickly but they have strengthened themselves and up held to the elements.  However the elements have shaped and contorted the trees. They are unusually beautiful and an awe to see.  This was a great hike and such an inspiration to me.  It taught me that even though life can be hard and hit you with so many challenges and 'elements', if you securely set your roots deep in the gospel you will make it.  You might be changed by these experiences but these changes will make you more beautiful and stronger. 

 We played lots of games, ate delicious food, had a 'small' bbq (the size of a small car maybe), played in the forts and dirt, the kids swam in the 'tub', cherry pit spitting and went on hikes. It was a perfect weekend; I got to enjoy the outdoors and still have plumbing. I loved spending time with family (we are sad Michael and Andrea's families could not be there).