Adventuring was something I grew up with and so of course my girls would have the same experiences or close to in the ability to have low and high-cost adventures (depending on what God allowed of course.) With their ages being on the smaller side though in some instances and opportunities there was of course some adjustments to be made.
What do I mean, well I've read and seen some horrible stories published or plastered on the news about families who have lost their toddler who fell to their death, or the baby who was harnessed on a parent but slipped out and died on a hiking trail, or a family traveling together on some treacherous off roading trail that's meant for experts but the family decides to still go anyway and the vehicle falls down the mountain killing all or in other instances parents are deceased leaving orphan children. The point is in all those circumstances it's up to God on who is called "Home" HOWEVER as parents it's our job to not knowingly or purposely put our kids and family at risk unnecessarily. Now my parents and sister could argue this point stating that I can throw caution to the wind so that we experience something but that's only because of how much hovering they've always done my entire life (lovingly and with good reasons for the most part). So though understandable from where they're coming from, I DO NOT put my kids at peril, but I also know that I'm not going to allow fear to enter into my mind or heart otherwise mistakes can be easily made and outside of God's plan. Like this particular post is about a hike that I'm taking with my two toddlers, but they are able to vocalize and communicate, carry their own little back packs of water and snacks, as well as be able to walk correctly and agilely. Therefore, leaving my two hands and senses alert and on the ready to grab and execute as needed for their safety. So, my point is that I waited until they were at least old enough to do certain adventurous things.
My sister had found this location, and it wasn't necessarily some expert hike/climb, so it allowed for everyone to participate; my uncle, my parents, my sister, and us three musketeers to drive to this beautiful location. Take in the glorious creation God made in not just the drive there but soon after parking at the base of the mountain. Like always I packed all the essentials that the car could hold, made sure that the backpacks both my daughters were carrying had their own bottled water and at least three of their snacks, so I could hold and carry the rest in my backpack. My backpack had the large bottle waters, Gatorade, snack bars, fruit snacks, napkins, baby wipes, sanitizers, off spray, and my girls' jackets because once you got higher in elevation up the mountain the temperature was cooler.
So, there we all went up the hike with a few stop points to have everyone adjust and enjoy the trail as well as the sights in general. My goal was for my girls and I to have the snack while we rested and chilled the most at the top of the mountain where the lake was located. At the first stopping point is where my mom noticed that the girls were carrying their own things in their backpacks, actually so I do the dialogue justice its below:
Mom: You have them carrying their own stuff?!
Me: Well yeah because I'm carrying everything else.
Mom: They are little and can't carry the weight!
Me: Yes, they can and you didn't use to carry our things either!
Mom: Yea but I also didn't have you carrying heavy things either.
Me: It's not heavy it's one of the small bottles of waters they'll survive. I'm carrying the big ones; besides they need to be able to handle it and carry it themselves. Builds strength, character, and responsibility because they packed it themselves with the snacks, so I could carry the rest of the right snacks that they need.
The End
There were no other commentaries at the other mini rest breaks we took but the trail itself continued to prove itself beautiful and peaceful. People while walking down the trail from the lake while we climbed up. My sister planned the timing of the hike so that we weren't getting the full blast of heat from the sun regardless of the mountain.
One of our favorite little pit stops was right before crossing over this little creek and wooden bridge there was an overlook with a serene sounding waterfall and a truly majestic view.
The pictures don't give it justice so when you're there, just take as many deep breaths and mental pictures as you can. I made sure I had death grips on my children when we were on the boulder closest to the waterfall so you could feel the sprays of the misty water that was falling. When one was looking out the other, I instructed to death grip my leg and squat some to not only anchor her mother BUT to also balance her weight on the rocky area altogether. Once my uncle was with us, they wanted to go out each of them on the boulder, so I took my break at that point.
We finally made our way past the dam structure and over more rocks and boulders. My being cautious and searching for any wildlife as well as snakes, spiders, and any other creepy crawlers that like to stay within and around nice cool temperature rocks. We three settled on as flat an area as possible and that was very close to the water so we could relax once more before making the trail back down. I could see that the girls were getting tired and carrying them with the sun fast moving into sunset position was going to be close, so we went in search of my family back at the top area (because they had already passed us in their perusing of the area).
I don't know why it's always easier to go up on mountain hikes but going DOWN, it takes a toll on the sense and body-I think it's because your mind knows you're about to completely dip your energy and just relax with no more sensory overload. My family helped me with the little ones on the going down. Where possible my uncle and I were swinging one daughter to make progress down the trail and my folks were doing the same with my other daughter (my uncle and I had my heavier weight daughter in hand). We made it to the very bottom where the vehicles were parked in record time and with the sun finally setting so that rays were pointing towards the sky and the mountain was covering the sun entirely.
We did our wipe down, the girls were sweating and hungry so second snacks and food were provided and the girls went potty in the special private setup I had at the back of the car for them to not have to hold the restroom, especially since one was well past potty training and the second child was close to being completely potty trained and no incidents. Vehicles were loaded up and we made our way back home...
So, plan a trip, make a plan, experience a kind of peace that only you can receive when you mix faith and God's creation into the day. It's worth it believe me...
Sincerely,
A Distinct Woman
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