I am ashamed to say that we haven’t been hiking since we moved back. Shocking, I know. The plethora of well-maintained, beautiful, easily-accessible trails here in Colorado Springs is one of the things we missed the most while living overseas. It was just so much more difficult to get out and hike.
Now, I know it’s November and we are on the cusp of snow, but the days are still so warm and sunny that I just had to go. I, and I alone, took the kids hiking at Waldo Canyon.
This is a far cry from the lady who was terrified of Lord Herndon’s first day of work!
You should have seen them, though. Prince just took off. He was about three switchbacks ahead of me before I’d even put Sweet Pea in the Snugli. I had to snatch up Princess on my hip and jog after him, calling (and later screaming) his name before he finally came back around a corner and I could see him. After that, I made him stay in sight-distance. But he would have gone much faster if I had let him.
Princess surprised me too and walked confidently over rocks and roots all the way to an overlook. And then, after a snack, all the way back to the car.
That was a long way for both of them to walk. So why do they ask to be carried when we’re in town? I don’t get it, but if hiking is the key to their hearts, then we are living in the right place.
Thankfully, their new favorite pastime is coloring. It helped to just let them sit at the table while I made lunch. Their conversation was very heart-warming.
“Blue please.”
“Here go!”
“Thank you.”
“Wehcome. Onch peez.” (she says “onch” for orange)
“Here ga-go!”
“Deh-Doo!”
“You’re welcome!”
