Hiking: This Changes Everything!

The pandemic has certainly changed the way we are doing summer, and one of the things we have been doing more of is exploring. We've really enjoyed the trails that we can walk to in our neighborhood, but taking longer hikes farther from home has seemed a bit daunting. I think it was the thought of carrying water, snacks, and changes of clothing for five of us while potentially also carrying two children who might tire of walking.

THEN Uncle Chris and Aunt Ruth were amazingly generous and sent the kids hiking backpacks. This changes EVERYTHING! Now the KIDS can carry water and snacks and clothes and if I happen to have to carry kids, I don't have to carry anything else.

Today we still stayed close to home, finding a new trail only a five minute drive from our house. The kids were thrilled to carry their own stuff and couldn't wait to test out the packs.

It was a really cute trail, with lots of wooden bridges over a little brook filled with frogs. The kids had a great time.