Cally asked for a real backpacking backpack for her birthday this year. We got her a version from REI that grows with her. She's at the low end of actually being able to use it. She has been really fired up to use it and both kids insisted that we go on a backpacking trip for more than one night. I saw a window of time and I figured we might as well do it while we could. This required that I dust off my own backpacking gear, for sure. John teased me because I pulled out a 20 year old Dana Design backpack. He informed me that they've come a long way with backpack technology in the past few decades, but I'm proud of my American Made beast (even if she is heavy).
We kept it easy. The first afternoon, we hiked 2+ miles to Taylor Lodge. Aside from making a trail choice that required Zephy to ascend a ladder, we made it to our first stop with smiles on our face:
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| hugs en route |
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| whittling with a view of Nebraska Valley |
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| trying out the amenities |
We spent the night with two through hikers at Taylor Lodge. We had a delicious thai peanut stir fry with tofu and fresh veggies. I felt sort of bad eating fresh veggies in front of the guys who had been on the trail for two weeks. John did, however, hike up an extra beer and gave it to them to share, so I think they were happy.
The second day involved hiking to Butler Lodge. It was a 3.6 mile hike but a 1,250 foot elevation gain. We took our time, had candy breaks, spent an hour at the tent platforms, made fairy houses, did math problems, and played various games. It was really hard for Hazey. He was carrying his water, stuffed animals and clothes, but he had a hard time. Cally, on the other hand, loved the challenge. She admitted it was hard, but she liked it. She carried her clothes, stuffed animals, water, and sleeping bag.
I don't have any pictures of this section because my phone died early on, but we got to Butler Lodge around 2pm and decided to hunker down and enjoy the afternoon the cabin and the view. We made friends with Luis and his brother-in-law Ian. The kids loved hearing Luis tell them about the whole Indiana Jones trilogy and I got a chance to read my book.
John had hiked out in the morning so he could work, but he hiked back in at around 5pm and we were all fired up to explore the Wampahoofus trail and even got motivated to summit the forehead of Mt. Mansfield.
We wrapped up the evening with dinner and shared Butler lodge with a few other through hikers, a cabin caretaker, and our other friends we had met earlier.
We all hiked out on Friday morning. It was slow and steady, but great for John to be able to be more actively involved in the adventure. He was shocked with the pace and my patience. But it was all so worth it. It was so great to break away from life as we know it, strip life down to its basics and challenge ourselves. The kids really were amazing and they loved the experience. Frankly, that is the most important part.
In other news, Hazey was watching his Auntie Cynthia knit a blanket recently. He asked if she might be able to make one of the same blankets for his animals. Within days, this is what he got:
And Rabbito is the lucky recipient (notice his collar)
