We had a great family adventure in November, hiking into the Power Creek Cabin one weekend. It's been something we've been wanting to do as a family for a while, and it was our first overnighter not carrying a kid.
It turned into a classic family trip... daylight hours were short, and we really needed a third (and fourth!) day to enjoy and explore the area more. Next time. But, even with all the logistics and effort to make such a short trip happen.. it was worth it. The boys loved it all, and it was special family time.
The trail is beautiful and diverse, and there were some fun challenges en route.. with beaver dams flooding the trail, fast streams to jump, and a run-in with a porcupine. It's interesting (and useful in this instance), but the boys thrive on epic adventures and the more challenging and physical the barriers are.. the more fun it is for them. It becomes something of a mission. The prospect of more "hurdles" ahead kept their momentum going!
Yay.. just a backpack and no kid on my back
Under the leaning rock
Over the rocks
A beaver cache. We learnt a lot about beavers that weekend
The Reynolds Family had warned us about this narrow ledge, but I hadn't anticipate how scary it would be with the kids. Peter did fine. But, on the way back it was icy.. and Leif stopped half way and had a two-year old irrational tantrum about trying to reach icicles en route. Luckily Dustin had tight hold of his hand. I couldn't watch!
Over the stepping stones. Peter and Leif were such a great team.. helping and waiting for each other. Amazing to watch. Peter has been a strong hiker for a while now, but this summer Leif came into his own with great strength and stamina.
He's still two.. on any day the trail to our house can become a ridiculous 30 minute struggle of wills... but the next day he can blaze 4-5 miles hardly stopping (as long as there are lots of challenges, diversity in trail (and chocolate) included.
Hiking with teenage boys on St. George last month, I had the uncomfortable experience of knowing that I couldn't keep up with their pace (and they weren't even trying to go fast). I'm going to have to start training to make sure I can keep up with Peter and Leif when they're that age. Do teenagers carry their parents backpacks?
Walking over the beaver dams to cross the flooded trail
We made it.. (just) before dark. Time for supper and dominoes before bed.
Poor Nala (our neighbors dog) met a porcupine in the dwindling light just 15 mins before we made it to the cabin.
A frosty morning and walk home. It was cold! We made it out in almost half the time.. maybe because it was too cold to stop..
Forging the flooded trail
trail stepping stones under water
Over the creeks again
Surviving the cliff, even with the ice
And, home. Yay!
We're excited for a return trip.. with more daylight and more time.
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