Hiking

Since we live so close to many beautiful mountains and child-friendly hikes, I decided one day to take the kids up a particularly rocky canyon.  They were thrilled.  

We packed lunch and headed out.

We had been studying rocks and rock formations in  home school, so this canyon was a good choice.  The kids got to see some unusual rock patterns in real life.  I was excited for them to have some good hands-on learning time.

Not surprisingly, the kids were much more excited about meeting all the dogs (and dog owners) passing by us on the trail. 

However you slice it, a great time was had by all.

The trees hadn't greened up much yet but it was still pretty and peaceful.  The kids loved climbing around on anything they could find.  They also enjoyed being with each other.

There is something about physical activity that takes the itch to fight right out of my kids.

The higher, the better.  All of them were worried about snakes lounging on sunny rocks, slithering across the path, or jumping out at them from dark crevices.  But I don't think any of the kids were worried about falling.

Even James was not deterred by height.  He climbed after the rest of the kids and never slowed down.  "Just call me mountain-climbing Tyrannosaurus Rex!" he repeated enthusiastically.  James never once complained about the walking or the heat or anything else.  He was just thrilled to be alive and participating it what must have felt like a very grown-up adventure.

Everett would have climbed much higher if I had let him.  Visions of broken necks precluded me from encouraging the kids on too extensively.

Even Ashley, our resident fearer-of-heights (and water, and loud noises, and the dark), climbed nimbly and unabashedly.

William, our big imagination guy, filled our time with questions like, "What would you do if suddenly a hundred snakes came out of these rocks and tried to attack you?  Could you survive?"

Getting down was almost as fun as getting up.  The kids each fashioned themselves a walking stick, and Ashley instructed her younger brothers in how to use them for proper downhill sliding.

The little boys preferred to use their walking sticks as boomerangs (a term adopted by James), and tossed the projectiles joyfully from the top of their perches.

This is how Charlie enjoyed the hike.  We did find a nice place to stop for a snack, which meant Charlie could finally get out of his baby carrier and wander a bit.  It also meant my poor shoulders could get a rest from the poundage of a chubby toddler plus a backpack full of food and water for six.

What hike is complete without an intimate visit with Mother Nature?  The boys were thrilled and Ashley just rolled her eyes, glad she is physiologically compelled to be left out of that stunt.

We left the canyon after three hours and having grown a desire to return the very next day.  Unfortunately, life has gotten in the way and we haven't been back.  I think we are due for another hike very soon--probably one that will be just as new and exciting as this one was.

We're glad to be back in hiking territory!