We pulled into (if I can recall this correctly) the South Entrance of the park. It was really easy to find. Glory be when we drove in to see lots of available parking, in fact, at the time we were arriving there were only 2 or 3 other cars already there before us. We gave the boys a quick diaper change and began gathering our bags to venture out.
From the parking lot we held hands and made our way past a little wooden bridge. I didn't get any pictures of it because there was a small group of people working out with a trainer and I didn't want to intrude on their exercise with my camera capturing their sweaty faces forever in my homes photo album (and this blog! lol.) But we did end up stopping to let the boys watch the water wash past and streamline underneath them to the other side. It held their attention for quite some time until we pointed out that there was still a whoooole hike to accomplish. You could see the excitement rise again when their little eyes beamed out onto the trail ahead. Off we went.
Once past the pale wooden bridge, you hit a sign that gives you the options between the nature trail or some other trail. I haven't yet explored this other trail, but I think I just might have to go back and try it sometime. Following the nature trail arrow, we officially began our hike. The boys found it rather thrilling to jump over old logs and climb upon big tree stumps. In fact, I've found that my son is terrified of slides and therefore never utilizes any playground equipment around us; he'd rather throw pine cones around and collect sticks and rocks for sand castles or mud pies.
My son River and I, (as usual) began "ooo-ing" and "awe-ing", cooing at the tall trees. There was a phase my son went through once this summer began where he asked us literally every single day to take him to the mountains. I'm not mad about it.
The weather was clear and warm, which I was thankful for because lots of clustered fires have been happening all around lately. Some days can get extremely smokey with warnings streaming out of newsrooms telling us to be wary of going outside if you're elderly or young (or if you bare any lung/breathing problems). Because of this, getting out felt so much nicer. Fun fact though, that very next day this area was shut down because it got way too smokey. I'll chalk it all up to good timing for us.
We began weaving through the trees, occasionally stopping off the path to sit and admire the gushing river flow and refuel the little ones with snacks and drinks. River and Joshua raced to point out the first spiders around us in the bushes and fallen trees. Although River quickly remembered that he is terrified of spiders and immediately was begging to go back onto the trail to continue our hike. Taking aside a quick moment to laugh at his re-relization, we packed up the bags once more and headed off.
I wondered as we were walking if the boys felt the enormity of the world around them as I often do. Every time I'm in a breathtakingly delightful space I feel this beam of good energy vibing through me, all the while being reminded just how tiny we are in this big world. I love to embrace the sunshine when I'm amongst the trees and that is one thing I hope to pass onto my son.
We passed more giant boulders along the pathway eventually stopping at one that looked wide enough to fit us all on it. I was watching my partner climb onto the rock and help the children up, I found it so cute and stayed behind a few steps to capture the moment. After getting my picture worthy moment out of the way I joined the boys and we sat silently, the only ones on this path at the moment we were there, soaking up the solitude that was the standing rocks and softly swaying leafy bushes.
After a few minutes the young ones were back to being rambunctious toddlers and were ready to set forth once more. Shortly into the continuation of our hike Joshua let us know he needed to "potty". He is almost fully potty trained so he isn't in diapers anymore and we were in the middle of a forest, there was no way we could walk all the way back to find a toilet. Solution? Pull down his pants and let him go on a tree. We are still trying to implement the idea of using the bathroom rather than a diaper to our son but he isn't too fond of it yet. (Okay, more like he loathes the thought of it.) Nonetheless, we were enthralled by Joshua and encouraged River to give it a go. He shot back with his typical "you've lost your damn mind" look and said, "No. In my pants." Of course we bursted out laughing, semi-shocked by his quick wit at only 2 and half years old.
We took a water break then pushed forward. Suddenly we hit a tall rock that looks as though its been perfectly sawed in half with ease. I don't know about you but the first thing we wanted to do when we saw that opening between the two rocks was walk through it and touch the rock. As I stood there with the kids I leaned back and felt an amazing coolness emanating off the clean slice of rock. It was a nice way to beat some heat and encouraged us to explore more on the trail.
We finished off the hike shortly after that. River was so pleased with this accomplishment that he raised his little fist into the air saying "woohoo! we did it!" His daddy and I let out a chuckle and cheered with him. Once we got back to the car we changed Rivers diaper and buckled up to head out. I will always enjoy moments like this. Time is always fleeting and we can never truly grasp and hold onto any second that happens to stumble into our lives. So i just do the best I can and try to indulge myself in all the happiness being a mother brings me.
