It's so hard not to write this blog as if some day I might have an audience. I'm trying so hard to just express myself, for my own good.
Some days, I think I'm just the most horrible mother and I absolutely can't go on trying to find some kind of domestic bliss. Some days, I think I'm doing such a horrible job with the boys. For one, everyone of their friends are way more polite. And don't ever get me taking about our house, and all the things that I seem incapable of making happen. The list is quite lengthy! but this blog is supposed to be about hiking...
So Sunday is called Family Day in our house, and generally we try our best to make sure a family hike happens on Sundays. Sometimes, it ends up being a sledding or skating adventure, or a biking excursion. This past Family Day, I was feeling a bit out of sorts, and it seemed pretty chilly and windy so I suggested a great little city hike at Frog Pond (which we had done earlier in the week with friends and everyone had lots of fun climbing rocks and fallen trees). I thought it would be great to show their dad (even though he had been there before), and mostly I thought it would be great in case I needed to bale. On the way there, Liam (23 days until 5 yrs old) suggested we do a different hike; Duncan's Cove, a family favorite. It's longer and along the coast....brrr! but I didn't want to deter such a determined little hiker so I tried my best to hide my hesitation.
As it turned out, it was a beautiful afternoon. We were relatively prepared (though if I had known we were going there, I would have brought tons more with us). We donned our winter jackets and hats and mittens, and headed along the coastal route in the sunshine. Zachary (3 1/2yrs) was surprising committed to hiking the trail. I suggested we stop at the first look-out shelter, where we had a quick snack. Then Liam wanted to keep going so Al took off with him. I thought Zach might want to take it easy but within a minute, he declared he wanted to follow them. So off we went. At the next big hill, we met Al and Liam coming down the hill but Zach wanted to go as far as they had gone, so up we all went again. I was so thrilled to see the enthusiasm of both boys. Liam is a regular trail runner so I often expect him to enjoy his hike, but sometimes he needs lots of encouragement too (not that Family Day!) We ended up exploring a bit on the way back taking an inland trail that was a bit wet in sections but good for running where it wasn't. I was so proud of Zach's great hiking (he always loved the outdoors but usually needed a little prodding and/or carrying), and so proud of Liam at suggesting the hike.
At the end of the hike, Liam was quick to point out that it was him that made the suggestion, and that I hadn't been too sure about it, and it all turned out great. What a confidence booster for him. And for me, too. I must be doing something right to have such a wonderful hiking family.
Happy Trails!
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