The Pay Off

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Truth be told, I am not in the greatest shape. Walking up a hill (or mountain) usually has me huffing and puffing in 5 minutes or less (REALLY). When that mountain side takes a couple of hours of non-stop UP hill climbing, I often catch myself wondering, “what in the hell I am doing here?”

And then you round the corner and it’s all worth it.

I shot the next photo while I ate my lunch. I didn’t even have to stand up, which was a bonus because I was exhausted.

Nature makes for some great photo-ops, and I especially love the reflection of the mountains in water.

There is always an abundance of wildlife. I know what you are thinking and, “YES, we are worried about him!”.

Isn’t this cool? A tree becomes an island. I love it.

A couple of hours of hanging out beside the lake, and my kids couldn’t stand it any more. They just had to get in!

It was a fantastic hike!

MK xo
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Disclaimer: Despite the wild child with a knife, no hikers were harmed in the making of this post.


31 Comments

180360 · August 3, 2010 at 10:09 pm

These are stunning! I want to go there now. :)

    MommyKnows · August 4, 2010 at 11:32 am

    @180360, Thanks Kim, it means TONS coming from one of my favourite photographers.

Philippine Travel Guide · August 3, 2010 at 11:37 pm

nice set of pics the place is very beautiful

Hannah · August 4, 2010 at 1:20 am

Wow!! That scenery is just breathtaking! You live in an absolutely beautiful place, Kim. Definitely worth a 2-hour uphill hike!

    MommyKnows · August 4, 2010 at 11:30 am

    @Hannah, Thanks Hannah! We’re about 4 hours away from here, but I am lucky that my mother has a condo in the area, so we always have a ‘free’ vacation destination.

Alison · August 4, 2010 at 4:29 am

Wow, the scenery is completely breathtaking. Gorgeous post, thank you. Beats the view from the office window!

deborah · August 4, 2010 at 7:10 am

Your pictures are absolutely amazing! I need to get out to the mountains more!

Ashley · August 4, 2010 at 7:20 am

It looks like you guys had a wonderful time. But I echo my facebook comment, that water looks cold!!!

    MommyKnows · August 4, 2010 at 11:26 am

    @Ashley, It was cold, but they claimed it was warm compared to most of the mountain lakes. They would know, as they swim in EVERY single one they see.

leslie · August 4, 2010 at 1:24 pm

Love the pics and so jealous I couldn’t be there too. Those kids are very brave to say the least!

    MommyKnows · August 4, 2010 at 10:26 pm

    @leslie, I wish you were still here too.

    Is it nice to be home?

      leslie · August 6, 2010 at 3:09 pm

      @MommyKnows,

      Not really! Ah it’s not so bad. Played group tennis last night and went for mexican food and drinks afterward. Fun to see everybody.

Safire · August 4, 2010 at 6:45 pm

Looks utterly amazing! Doesn’t look too cold either!

    MommyKnows · August 4, 2010 at 10:27 pm

    @Safire, Hey Safire, Great to see you :) (read you).

    It was utterly amazing.

kH · August 4, 2010 at 7:48 pm

woah your camera is so good. Pictures are so nice with your boys. You must be very lucky.
rewards incentive@Myzerr

Joanne · August 4, 2010 at 10:21 pm

Hey Kim. Wow! You are such a fantastic photographer. These pictures could be in National Geographic!!!! Definitely worth the hike.

Kendall Howard · August 5, 2010 at 11:58 am

Where is this place? That is one of the most unbelievable places I have ever seen. It looks so untouched by mankind. Breath taking! I guess it was well worth the exhaustation of getting there. My goodness!

Free PSP Themes · August 6, 2010 at 3:59 am

very nice greenary and awesome place…..

i have never seen place like this…..

Kwirk · August 6, 2010 at 2:01 pm

really wonderful pics! i’d like to live somewhere here all alone and abandoned. just me and my laptop. lol

Andy · August 8, 2010 at 9:51 am

Wow what a stunning location . I am mostly a Wedding Photography but would love to shoot shoot some landscapes here.If only there was some locations like this in mid uk :(

footballchants123 · August 11, 2010 at 3:15 am

Your pictures are absolutely amazing! I need to get out to the mountains more!

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Jakarta Apartment · August 11, 2010 at 6:15 am

dear god.. this is very amazing and beautiful pictures!

romantic getaways · August 12, 2010 at 6:34 pm

Hi Mommyknows, this is beautiful photography – really makes me want to visit Canada.

What camera do you use to take your photographs? obviously the subject is spectacular but I really like the clarity and definition of your images…

Stephen at the greatest camp · January 7, 2011 at 11:02 am

Hiking/camping is a great way to build resilience in children! When you are faced with a challenge (climbing to the top of the peak; cooking your food, setting up camp) you are forced to make a decision to continue or turn around. When you reach the top you have an option to negatively or positively react to your effort and the outcome is has brought (beautiful scene). The great thing about summer camp
is the positive leadership that helps facilitate the positive reaction to succeeding and FAILING. This will strengthen resilience which is a powerful quality to have!

mommyknows · August 4, 2010 at 5:00 am

The Pay Off –> http://bit.ly/ckXSuh — photos from the top of a mountain.

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