Learn to Laugh: Hiking

We have this place we like to go hiking. It is a well groomed trail, more like a road without cars along one fork of the Lewis River. There are 5 little bridges and one big bridge, beautiful trees and easy access to parking and bathrooms. All the elements of a perfect trail. We headed out there for a great Saturday activity. Plus, I needed one more 5 mile hike as part of my preparation for the pioneer trek Roy and I will be doing soon. Things started out great with K falling asleep about 5 minutes before we parked. We headed to the potty for a little break before we got serious then headed out on the trail. A big part of hiking with Roy and the kids is the food. We weren't 1/10th of a mile in before D is asking if he can have something to eat out of his backpack. Roy always tries to get him to wait and the food always gets consumed in the first 15 minutes of walking. It is practically tradition.

We hiked along for almost a mile and a half before Roy and the girls turned back. D and I continued on for a total of 2.5 miles before turning around so I could get my 5 miles in. D is such a good little trooper. He hiked along with me and only complained about his feet getting sweaty. We had to explore any possible trails leading off the main trail and touch the water and railroad tracks that run parallel to the trail any chance we got. It was awesome. We talked about nature. We talked about Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ. I loved being able to have that time with just D and I. We don't get much time without the girls.

Unfortunately things weren't quite as serene for Roy. K was dragging behind and whining a lot more than usual right from the get go. I figured it was just because she was tired and wanted to continue her nap. She fell asleep on a bench when Roy and the girls stopped for a little break. She slept in Roy's arms for a bit while he hiked. A was great but she is s...l.....o........w. 'Course, she's only 2 and her legs are shorter than my arms....

Roy finally made it back to the river where people can play in the water to wait for us. D and I made it back after an hour and a half or so. K was ready and wanting to go. I went ahead and started back to the van with her and A while D played in the river for a few minutes. The parking lot is less than 1/5 of a mile from where we were. Yeah, K totally fell asleep in my arms on the way back. Turns out she actually developed a fever later. Oops. Sometimes it is so hard to tell.