First tiny snow flakes at BMBC Wilderness

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

Al said, "Might as well go.  It's tradition." I sure didn't feel like walking today as I was cuddled up on the couch in front of the fire place.  However, we all layered up pretty good, packed some snacks, and got our water (and some warm herbal tea in thermoses).  Today we had our first little snow drops.  The snow didn't accumulate but it's still fun to see the first flakes every year.  It was just below 0 and fairly windy.  We chose to go to Blue Mountain Birch Cove so we could walk in the woods and be protected from the wind for the most part.  We also know which trails tend to be drier. 

I'd say we all dressed appropriately but it was still chilly to get started.  It wasn't long before we all started trail running.  It's awesome how the whole family enjoys running the trails now.  There are certainly some falls, but mostly everyone is pretty amazing with their foot work on the technical trails.  This makes me so happy.  

We found some new signage on the trails.  Though they were not put there by HRM, I think they are very professionally done and absolutely needed as new people find out about this wilderness treasure we have in this city.  I'm a bit scared to see how the city will progress with this area.  I love it as it is now, but am extremely excited about sharing the area with others who might not be as comfortable in the back-country as we are.  Also, with more use, the neccessity for more trail maintenance will become obvious. 

The boys had already had hot cocoa in the morning after some street hockey so I brought some lemon and honey herbal tea on this hike.  It was a welcomed treat to have a warm drink at our rest, and yummy cinnamon rolls, too!

We managed to get back to the car in about 2 hours - a relatively short trip for us. 

spider lake

Today's family hike was at Spider Lake, a familiar spot for us close to home. It was especially nice to have friends with us to motivate the kids to get out the door, and to introduce them to these trails. It was a sunny day with a high of 4 degrees, but with no wind, it felt warmer. The main trail (an old road) had lots of wet sections but we all stayed mostly dry. We made it out to Spider Lake to a nice little look-off where the parents all got a chance to chit-chat, and the kids had room to roam about and make-up their own games. I thought that was probably the best part of the hike, until D. decided to climb a huge tree. So fun to see adults making their own fun, too :) On the way back, we took more side trails, and did more trail running as a group. Al and Zach, who were behing at one point, took a different trail We didn't note the exact time of our start (probably around 1:40), however we made it back to the vehicles about 4:30. Perfect timing for this time of year, when the sun goes down earlier and the chill hits the air.

Happy

I can't even really explain why hiking makes me happy.  And, I suppose, as I've said before regarding the Appalachian Trail, if you have to explain what is so great about it to someone, then chances are they just will likely never understand. 

I will tell you, though, it fills my heart with joy when another parent calls me to go for a hike.  I love getting kids out in nature to run, walk, climb and explore.  I love being enthusiastic about it, and helping the kids see what they can do.  I'm really learning to enjoy the small things and do not get uptight about dirt, whines, time, or blood!  I'm finally understanding the adults really do set the tone of the adventure, and ultimately, whether the child wants to try it again. 

P.  called to see if we were going for a walk.  She has the three kids under the age of 6, and her hubby was busy studying.  Yes!! We planned to explore a new part of the Fight Trail which seems rather remote but it is practically right in the city between Herring Cove Rd and Purcell's Cove Rd - often used by extreme mountain bikers and trail runners. It seems like it might be relatively easy to get lost: lots of trails with no signage, the terrain looking very much the same, and not a lot of vantage points to get your bearings. 

In the end, we decided it would work out best if Al explored the new areas and met us on the trail.  P. would follow me to the trailhead where we had hiked the weekend before.  As it turns out, I took a long route there and P. lost me on the round-about, then I lost her and she ended up arriving first.  Good start! We kept our spirits high though.  It is simply a one-of-a kind hike for the HRM area.  I love it there, but caution anyone without experience in the woods and a GPS system to go with someone that knows the area. 

In hindsight, I wish I had realized how much it bothered Liam that Al was not hiking with us, and offered more comfort and security.  He knew that he would meet up with us, but I just didn't factor in how much the uncertainty and unusualness of it would throw Liam off.  He seemed a little out of control when we met up with Al, and after he left to go back to his vehicle (and mistakenly, forgot to say bye to the kids).  I think the acting out is just a way to seek attention and a way to express frustration without the words, which  worked. I just assumed he would be okay with it because he had his friends with him.  I asked Liam if he took R's hat and threw it because he wanted to be make R. mad, or if he thought it was funny.  He said he took it because he liked the hat.  And, I was reminded to never assume the intend!

I'm most impressed with F. who is 4 years old.  She started the trail by tripping so often  that I began to wonder if perhaps the trail was too technical for her.  It wasn't long before she had her trail legs though and started insisting she be the leader!  She had difficulty keeping up with the 3 older kids who loved to run on the big rocks.  We let them have lots of leeway because with the leaves off the trees and the lack of trees due to a fire, a few years ago I think, it was easy to see them.  Sometimes we would yell ahead to remind them that we couldn't see them, but mostly they were already stopped and just around a bend or a rock.  It was a happy sound to hear that Al had found them one time they had scurried ahead while I helped P. down a particularly steep wet section (she had the baby on her back).  We stopped shortly after that, ready to turn back...but the look-off was nearby and a nice location to have a snack.  It did end up being longer than I had intended, with R. getting a roughed up knee and Z. having a meltdown. 

On the top of the look-off, a trailrunner with an off-leash dog quickly entered our little break spot.  He said the dog was friendly, but I told him that my son had been bitten by a dog, so he was quick to keep going.  I thought he might have been offended so I was glad that we would meet up again later on the trail, so I could explain that it's almost never the dog that I don't trust.  It's my child's reaction to the dog that may scare the dog.  Also, some very friendly dogs still have not been socialized to small children, and children can just be so unpredictable.  Mostly, I try not to be offended if someone doesn't understand my position. Until you've watched your child brawling his eyes out, staring at you to save him, while nurses (complete strangers to him) wrap him up so he can't move his arms and hands, and undo the stitches the doctor is putting in, it is completely hard to come close to comprehending. (anyway, just a little aside to the wonderful hiking story).  Also, while we were stopped, three mountains bikers came by with big smiles.  Awesome big tires.  Unfortunately, we didn't get to see them do any tricks, but it was fun to see a female among them.

Back to little Miss. F, she did amazing on the little bridges.  At the beginning of the trail, she fell between the boards and was scared of them.  By the end of the trip, she was asking to be the leader to check them out for safety before she would allow us to go across.  So cute!

The boys did vote for P. as the real hero of the hike since she carried the baby the whole way.  I love how they noticed that.  I wish I hadn't forgotten to remind them of how many times I did that with them in the baby backpack carrier!!

Activity Deficit Disorder

There is no doubt about it, I'm feeling rather clever this morning.  After pushing myself to try some new trails on my mountain bike, I was cooling off at home when I realized I figured out a new mental disorder.  I must do more research before I can figure out how to get this disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).  I thought Activity Non Compliance Disorder  (ANCD) might be a good name, but I may just shorten it to Activity Deficit Disorder (or perhaps there actually should be two, depending on the compliance factor). 

I think the drugs companies would likely endorse this.  After all, they have drugs for inattention, sexual disfunction, and physical prowess.  Why not invent a drug that will help those poor little souls who can't get themselves away from their DS gaming system or what have you?  The children who can not make it around the track once, walking or running, without melting down.  The adults who are out of breath going up the stairs or around the block because they think it's more important to find out (insert TV reference here) .  Their brains aren't functioning correctly.  A drug would certainly make them capable of seeing what they are missing.  The people who start a fitness program but don't complete should be seen as non-compliant. 

Is it possible when not to get overwhelmed when trying to change the worlds belief's systems? In fact, I'd be pretty happy to change one little school board at a time.  It is possible to value kids who excel at sitting and learning, and those who excel at moving and learning.  After all, there are a lot of professions that need those people who can use their muscles extensively (not just to get to their cars).  Firefighters, policemen, conservation officers, hockey players, and dancers to name a few.  What if all the kids who had natural athletic ability thought they were "bad" because they craved an environment that used their whole bodies?