This past weekend I wanted to go hiking. Not just any hike would do. Granted, there are plenty of hikes much closer, but I wanted to be on the Appalachian Trail. It's a slightly further haul for us - about a 50 minute drive - but on this day I decided a drive was worth the effort. So the boys and I put on lots of sunscreen, stocked up on granola bars and water, and set out for Catawba.
Cort is a little bit bow-legged, and I know from experience that he tires easily. So he got to do the first round in the backpack, while Pierce and Reid hiked.
We headed South on the trail.
Reid was quite a trooper. He stuck right with Pierce the whole time.
See the white blaze on the tree where Pierce is pointing to?
That's a sign you're on the Appalachian Trail.
And now, a rare spotting of camo-toddler.
Camo-toddlers blend in with their natural surroundings when on the trail.
Can you find him?
Pierce took this photo of me with Cort and Reid at an overlook.
Not bad photography for a 4 year old!
A few places were rocky and we had some spills, but my boys got right back up and hiking without delay each time.
And finally we found it. Toad House. I'd told the boys to keep an eye out. Actually, originally the sign said Toad House. Then a couple of years later it said "Home Sweet Home". This time when we found the hole it said "Mouse House".
Lucky little mouse has his very own campfire ring.
Is there really a mouse in there?!?
Me with Cort. Who started to get a little disgruntled at the halfway mark, because his brothers were having all the fun. So I relented and let him out, mistakenly hoping he'd be able to walk the whole way back.
Reid decided to help keep Cort on track by holding hands with him and showing him how it's done.
Alas, Cort kept getting distracted. Playing in the dirt, trying to pull up poison ivy, and climbing trees.
Back at Toad/Mouse House again. This was when I decided Cort had to go back in the pack.
He'd moved a total of about 100 feet in 15 minutes.
He was pretty mad, but maybe next time he'll do a little better with walking instead of sitting in the dirt.
Overall, we had a great time, and got in about 90 minutes of hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
We didn't cover much distance, but we sure did appreciate the outdoors!
26 comments:
I love your pictures! The mouse house is so cute! I bet the boys loved it. I also bet they all napped well on the way home.
Girl, I can't imagine hiking with a toddler on my back! Looks like it was a fun time though!
Love the toad/mouse house - too cute.
What a great thing to do with the boys! It's probably worth it by the end of the day when they sleep like logs!
What a terrific outing for you and the boys. The little mouse house is adorable.
You are such a neat mommy! Your boys are getting so many learnings from you that they won't ever get in school. :)
they are just so precious cute!!! love that backpack with the sunshade! i'd have been mesmerized by the toad/mouse house too!
Your kids are so flippin cute. I love that backpack with the umbrella. It looks like you live near some really beautiful landscape!
A LONG time ago, I enjoyed hiking on the AT here in GA. It was great fun in college days to be outdoors, visit waterfalls, etc. I think your little ones did pretty well and I think you are one strong lady! I enjoyed these photos very much.
Its nice that the kids are enjoying nature. Much better than Disney world could ever be. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon,PA
Wow, I'm impressed that you took the kids to do that! Looks like fun!
Can I come next time? How fun! I will even take a turn with the little person back pack! :O)
You amaze me, woman. A hike like that with three kids! I probably couldn't pull off half that much with just the one! :) You guys look like you're having a blast, though.
LOVE the photo's, Lisa. What a grand plan, great outing for you and the littles. You're such a great mom!!
When my family lived in Virginia when I was a kid, we hiked the Appalachian trail many times, and I just loved it! It sort of set the bar for all future hiking trails:)
Hiking AND backpacking--wow! I hope you got a shoulder and back massage from hubby later that night. Awesome pic your son took—not blurry and all your heads are intact!
What fun, and you are raising strong, independent boys!!! How on earth were you able to find Toad house?? My best friend was a Trail Angel, one who provided and helped out with food and showers at the trail hikers stops.
That's awesome! I have never been on a single bit of the trail! Looks great!
Great pictures! It looks like you had a fun hike!
i'm fascinated by mouse house. you babies are adorable! how brave to hit the trails with THREE little ones. Rock on!
What a blast! Great photos!
It looks like a great day for a hike. I remember well the days of hiking with a toddler on my back! I especially like the picture that your son took.
How sweet that is. Loved it. Hey if you get on the Appalachian Trail and keep going further south - you could be in Georgia!
Oh how awesome!! What a fun and interesting to do. Looks like everyone had a great time.
Wow that is great photography for a 4 year old! You look great and a hike with a toddler!
Oh, I have been wanting to get on that AT for a while! We watched a great docu of it on Netflix, you should check it out. I hope to get us to the CT part in early fall!
I really hope someday we can say we hiked a stretch of that trail!
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