This Father's Day, DH decided to fore go his usual Father's Day solo fishing trip and try our luck with a family hiking trip instead. This was significant because we have a 3-year-old and a 14-mo-old and it was going to be their very first "real" hiking trip - and because nothing is ever easy with kids, right?
Our adventure started out smoothly enough. We waited until after lunchtime to leave. The Destroyer slept in the car most of the way, but Captain Crazy was antsy and did a lot of complaining that it "was taking too long".
We finally arrived at our destination - one of the highest points along the Pacific Coast Range. We hopped out of the car and set off for the mile-plus hike to the top. The trail up was nice and wide with incredible views the entire way up. When we got to the top, we were surprised to find quite a bit of snow left on the meadow. The boys had a fantastic time walking on it and playing in it.
I was quite pleased with how well the boys handled their first "real" hike. The Destroyer didn't freak out about riding in the backpack like I thought he would. And Captain Crazy walked all the way up and back down. He wiped out once but suffered only minor scrapes to his knee and forearm. A band-aid and a couple of kisses fixed things up nicely.
Overall it was a really enjoyable day. But I do have to say this one thing. I was in the Army for 8 years and helped plan many, many multi-day long "missions" involving 100+ people, convoys and tons of equipment and I swear to God, I think that was easier than getting two kids dressed, fed and watered, sun-screened, and into the car for an afternoon outing.
Overall it was a really enjoyable day. But I do have to say this one thing. I was in the Army for 8 years and helped plan many, many multi-day long "missions" involving 100+ people, convoys and tons of equipment and I swear to God, I think that was easier than getting two kids dressed, fed and watered, sun-screened, and into the car for an afternoon outing.
As for DH, he decided he's going to take the day off of work this coming Friday and go on that solo fishing trip after all. He's a great dad and does so much for the kids and around the house that he definitely deserves some time to himself. And as an added bonus, I told him he could throw in another trip on Sunday for good measure. I think that might just have been the best Father's Day present yet!
