Our first overnight backpacking trip!
The group: Dan, our nephew Hunter (10), Justin, Me, and Penny in the Osprey pack.
As you can see, Luna and Apollo packed in their own food and water.
See me smiling big before we started the hike.
When we were three miles up with no end in site... let's just say I wasn't taking any self portraits...
Each of our five nephews will get to come on a "manhood" backpacking trip with Uncle Daniel,
the summer after they turn ten. Hunter here was the pioneer, and he was a champion!
Dan's pack weighed about 50 pounds.
What a guy carrying extra stuff so his wife could carry the baby and not break her back.
Penny was delighted to wake up from a snooze to find everyone setting up camp!
Resting. We made it.
Making delicious MRE's for dinner.
Sunset from our campsite.
Dan taught Hunter how to use a flint.
Penelope's first campfire.
My sleeping bag buddy woke up early with the birds this morning.
The dogs were so wonderful. They stayed with us like true companions
wagging their tails most of the way. Here's Luna keeping watch while I breastfeed.
Penny loved playing in the tent. So many zippers, so little time!
The group, in all our glory, at "the saddle" at the top on our way home today.
We had hiked three miles up to the top and then almost a mile down the other side to camp.
My body was, in a word, done. But the intensely strenuous exercise was followed by peaceful beauty and solitude. A weekend I will never forget.
Years ago when I was single and would go hiking and see parents with their kids and dogs trekking up a trail, I always hoped that someday that would be me with my family. I am so thankful that I married a man who not only has the gear, but also the patience and strength to take his amateur wife and their baby and pups on a weekend like this. And thank you so much to Uncle Justin... we could not have done it (and I wouldn't be nearly as sore) without you!
