The Incline

Years ago, Tomas came home from an off season lacrosse training, EXHAUSTED. I remember him telling me, "I climbed stairs UP a mountain", I remember thinking "Stairs UP a mountain? He must be exaggerating". I didn't think much of it again, until my Mom asked me to do The Incline with her. Not knowing, I said, "Sure, sounds fun". Little did I know, two days later I would be sitting here, barely moving, and EXHAUSTED. Tomas told me it wouldn't be fun, even as we drove up we thought of bailing, but we had told too many people we would get to the top....

The legendary Incline is in Manitou Springs, CO. Manitou is like Colorado Springs' small Boulder. This hike is 3.7 miles round trip, with a vertical gain of 2,000 ft. The picture to the left is Mom and I starting out. Yes that little line up the mountain is where we are going!



 The trail gets a little rough the higher we went, we were looking a little rough by this point too!

Almost to the top. I have to confess, Mom had to stop for me. Throughout the hike I felt everything from light headed, to sick, to angry. We seriously thought of taking the bailout half way up. But we decided we had come too far to quit...so on we climbed.

Finally at the top, looking out at the view.

Mom and I at the top - so excited to have accomplished this together.

My poor Dad was at the bottom waiting, the website said only an hour and a half. Two and a half hours later we came jogging down the trail - ready for a lot of water and some good food! I am so proud of my Mom, the experience we had really rings true to who she is. Thanks for MAKING me do it :)