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!!
No comments:
Post a Comment