Are We Hiking Yet?

When we told the kids we'd be hiking to the falls,
I'm not sure they completely understood.
First they tried to wear their flip flops,
then as we walked Syd started singing...

"The Pioneer children sang as they,
walked, and walked, and walked..."

When in reality we drove to a parking lot,
walked 100 feet on sidewalk to arrive
at that "OH SO FAR AWAY"
water fall.

Gotta love kids and their perceptions!

Here's Daddy all set with Keira locked and loaded!

Ben enjoyed sporting "daddy's" hat,
but refused to be photographed in it.
BOYS!

Interestingly there is an old summer home
that was built on the side of the hills in the 30's.

It was fun to explore it's contents and scope out the place.

But I think all the steps were a little much for these legs.

Could you imagine carrying up every single one of those rocks
to make this house?

And when I say steep steps,
I mean in it!
Straight up with only 6in to place your foot on.

This little man loved to investigate all the nooks and crannies
of the dilapidated building.

Gratefully they put bars on the windows
and doors that no longer lead to any where.
But what was strange, was how short and small
all the door ways were.
It's like hobbits lived there!

Larry shouted down to Emma,
"wave to me"
and this is the pose he got!
Priceless!

The kids are standing on the roof,
and Larry is on the ground.
What size were these people 80 years ago?

The whole crew!

Who is that monkey in the tree?

After our "oh so long" and demanding hike,
it was time to cool off in the Antarctic water.
As usual, Emma is the daring one.

Most of the time the kids played on the railings.

They enjoyed the warm metal, being the sun
up away from the water.

Sometimes I think they aren't kids but orangutans!

We were shocked to see that Keira eventually
warmed up to the frigid water and loved playing in it.

Ben, on the other hand, wanted to dig,
squish dirt and bury his feet.

This girl is more then a daredevil,
she's dangerous!
Especially with those dimples!

Even though Syd is in the water,
I still get the feeling she's not really comfortable.

What a boy!
Just HAD to throw rocks in the water
and watch them splash.

After a few minutes in the dirt, Keira was done.
No longer entertained by floating leaves and inedible pebbles.


After watching a few daring souls make their way
around the water to a raised part of the sand
that brought them 10 feet from the water by
only getting in up to their knees,
I was sold!
So fully clothed and all, I tip toed out as far as I could.
Which in turn, inspired Larry to try it too!

But he couldn't pass up a chance of a lifetime
to stand under the pounding ice water.
A Brave Soul!

With much coercion he talked the girls into joining him!

But the last 5 feet was more then they could handle.
This is as close as they got.

To warm up, we headed back to camp,
layered on the clothes and built a fire.
It's time for some warm dinner
and s'mores!

Keira snug as a bug in her Mommy's arms.

Thanks to all our friends that made this camping trip
an absolute blast!
The laughs, the firewood, the sweet rolls,
dutch oven deliciousness, sausages, pancakes,
and good conversation was worth it!

We can't wait for next time!