Summer has finally returned and a few weeks ago I planned a hike. I was so beyond excited. There are few things in life I love more than wandering around in the great outdoors. The sun on my face balanced by an ever so slight chill to the mountain breeze... The smell of the rain just over the summit, of the dirt being kicked up by my shoes, the water cascading over the rocks in the nearby creek. There seems to be excited little noises everywhere and to me the leaves create an intoxicating melody. Especially the leaves in the aspens, they seem to tickle each other as I walk by. There is always a scurrying of some small woodland creature hurrying about just ahead of me on the trail. So serene. So perfect.
Except when I bring my #$%^ kids. THEY RUIN IT! Don't judge me. I love them. Before I had children there was nothing in my life that could in any way compare to the deep binding connection I have with each one of them. It's not enough to say I love them they are an extension of myself. I exist because they exist and what they have added to my life has truly caused my cup to overflow. BUT THEY RUIN EVERYTHING!
On this particular hike we attempted to hike Centerville Canyon Creek. We even planned to find a few geocache treasures along the way. This is a highly recommended hike because it ends at a gorgeous waterfall. Or so I've heard. I wouldn't know. We made it about 100 ft. Here are a few quotes from my little angels:
"This is the hottest day of the year!" - it was about 72 degrees
"My water is all gone and I'm thirsty" - we had been hiking for about 10 minutes, and by hiking I mean walking to the trail head.
"My shoes are all wet now." - you don't want to know, but the bush lucked out and stayed dry
"Why are we just walking around? This isn't fun" - and other similar complaints. It's like an audible time check because it happens every five minutes all afternoon.
"Mom I forgot to tell you I have a book report due tomorrow morning and my grade for the entire semester is based on this report. I haven't read the book." - There is really nothing else that can be said about a statement like this.
"We're lost aren't we?"
"Are there bears here? People get killed by bears. Did you bring anything to fight a bear?"
"Where did Gwen go?" - Every ten minutes my Houdini makes a great escape...
"I think I have a tick" - it always turns out to be a freckle
"That is poison Ivy for sure" - said about every plant we pass
"I want to be in front." - They all want to be in front and taking turns is not an option
"Can't we just go to Lagoon?" - this is the one that usually always sets me off.......
This was our first hike of the year. I did my best to ignore all the whining and anxiety and just keep going. I know with enough exposure eventually it will dawn on their little minds that the beauty in our own backyards is nothing short of breathtaking and better than any amusement park could ever hope of being.
Alright, alright.....If you were in Centerville Canyon a few weeks ago you might have heard what sounded like a deranged woman screaming "If all of you don't shut the hell up right now and for the rest of the day I swear to all that is holy I will force feed you whatever gooey stuff is oozing from that tree. Joshua! Why are you in the water? You could die! Don't you know you can slip and fall and hit your head..? Where the hell did Gwen go? Audrey don't eat that I was kidding, no don't put that in your mouth, oh god that is disgusting. Where the hell are your pants? Is that a rock in your mouth?"
But I have good news. It's getting better. We keep going. I keep trying and they have started to love it like I do. So if you see us out and about on the trails. Run, just RUN!
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Except when I bring my #$%^ kids. THEY RUIN IT! Don't judge me. I love them. Before I had children there was nothing in my life that could in any way compare to the deep binding connection I have with each one of them. It's not enough to say I love them they are an extension of myself. I exist because they exist and what they have added to my life has truly caused my cup to overflow. BUT THEY RUIN EVERYTHING!
On this particular hike we attempted to hike Centerville Canyon Creek. We even planned to find a few geocache treasures along the way. This is a highly recommended hike because it ends at a gorgeous waterfall. Or so I've heard. I wouldn't know. We made it about 100 ft. Here are a few quotes from my little angels:
"This is the hottest day of the year!" - it was about 72 degrees
"My water is all gone and I'm thirsty" - we had been hiking for about 10 minutes, and by hiking I mean walking to the trail head.
"My shoes are all wet now." - you don't want to know, but the bush lucked out and stayed dry
"Why are we just walking around? This isn't fun" - and other similar complaints. It's like an audible time check because it happens every five minutes all afternoon.
"Mom I forgot to tell you I have a book report due tomorrow morning and my grade for the entire semester is based on this report. I haven't read the book." - There is really nothing else that can be said about a statement like this.
"We're lost aren't we?"
"Are there bears here? People get killed by bears. Did you bring anything to fight a bear?"
"Where did Gwen go?" - Every ten minutes my Houdini makes a great escape...
"I think I have a tick" - it always turns out to be a freckle
"That is poison Ivy for sure" - said about every plant we pass
"I want to be in front." - They all want to be in front and taking turns is not an option
"Can't we just go to Lagoon?" - this is the one that usually always sets me off.......
 |
| This is how I envision it |
 |
| This is what it's really like |
This was our first hike of the year. I did my best to ignore all the whining and anxiety and just keep going. I know with enough exposure eventually it will dawn on their little minds that the beauty in our own backyards is nothing short of breathtaking and better than any amusement park could ever hope of being.
Alright, alright.....If you were in Centerville Canyon a few weeks ago you might have heard what sounded like a deranged woman screaming "If all of you don't shut the hell up right now and for the rest of the day I swear to all that is holy I will force feed you whatever gooey stuff is oozing from that tree. Joshua! Why are you in the water? You could die! Don't you know you can slip and fall and hit your head..? Where the hell did Gwen go? Audrey don't eat that I was kidding, no don't put that in your mouth, oh god that is disgusting. Where the hell are your pants? Is that a rock in your mouth?"
But I have good news. It's getting better. We keep going. I keep trying and they have started to love it like I do. So if you see us out and about on the trails. Run, just RUN!
.JPG)