The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.
~ John Muir
~ John Muir
Today the boys and I hit the trails for our first hike in 2016. It was a bit last minute, but we made it work and had a great time hitting the trails. Initially they did not want to leave the house this morning, but after a trip to Work Sports and Outdoors they were motivated and each wearing brand new hiking boots were ready to rock-and-roll. Since they were new boots, and mom is a bit out of shape after a lazy winter, we opted for an easier day hike and looked for a hike under 5 miles round-trip.
We dove up to the Greenwater Lake Trail off road 70. I had done this hike with my mom and Aiden last year, this was Cy's first experience with this trail. It is early in the season, so there are still a few downed trees in the trail and it looks like the first bridge over Greenwater River had some damage from the winter. It was not impassable, but it made me really thankful for those who volunteer and those who work with the forestry services to maintain the trails for us to enjoy year after year.
This trail winds through an old growth forest along the beautiful river that now seems to be roaring with fresh white rapids. There are a beautiful views of the river every turn, I like to pause often to just look up from my boots and enjoy the surrounding. Some places where the water is calm against high mossy green cliffs the water is a blue color that just takes your breath away. Both Cy and I said it made us want to swim. However, knowing this water comes straight from the Emmons Glacier means it is absolutely freezing and not as appealing when you think about it.
When we reached the first lake, the smell was warm and sweet. It is a familiar smell, the smell of warm pine needles and the dampness of the old growth warming in the sun. The calm of the lake is just as beautiful as the flowing river. This is where I feel the most grounded, hearing the river flow and the birds chirping. The office and the thought of working tomorrow was no-where in my mind!
We only passed a few people on the trail which made it all the more serene. Another plus of hiking early in the season, no bugs! Last summer there were so many mosquito and flies on this trail that you opted to keep moving to avoid having to constantly wave them off.
As we wandered along the trail we climbing around, above, and even crawling under fallen trees the boys talked about this and that. We sang the Proclaimers (500 miles) and discussed whether they went 500 or 5,000 miles for a minute. They planned for the zombie apocalypse and discussed their tactics for securing our base. We talked about our family goals this summer and we made a deal.
The deal? If I work the week, they have to give me the weekend for family time. That during the week they can play their video games, have their TV time, and play with friends. Cy can find work, but we need to keep at least one day on the weekend for family. The weekends we will do hikes, go camping, go to the beach. They agreed they would try not to complain too much before we go, because they feel so good once they are out and doing it.
We discussed the blog as well, Cy said that he really wants us to keep it up this year. I agreed that it will be a great way to document our experiences and what we learn. It will also allow us to see the changes we will grow through the next few summers. Cy will be 16 soon, three years of high school left. I am preparing myself for that time I need to let him go off into the world on his own, but most importantly I am preparing him for the world with the help of my wonderful family and friends who support every crazy outlandish idea we have. I suppose all of that is for another blog.
With Earth Day coming in just a few days, I challenge each of you to get out and enjoy nature. Mother Earth has been good to us, and we abuse and take advantage of her on a daily basis. Love her as she loves you. Trust me, she will never let you down.
We dove up to the Greenwater Lake Trail off road 70. I had done this hike with my mom and Aiden last year, this was Cy's first experience with this trail. It is early in the season, so there are still a few downed trees in the trail and it looks like the first bridge over Greenwater River had some damage from the winter. It was not impassable, but it made me really thankful for those who volunteer and those who work with the forestry services to maintain the trails for us to enjoy year after year.
This trail winds through an old growth forest along the beautiful river that now seems to be roaring with fresh white rapids. There are a beautiful views of the river every turn, I like to pause often to just look up from my boots and enjoy the surrounding. Some places where the water is calm against high mossy green cliffs the water is a blue color that just takes your breath away. Both Cy and I said it made us want to swim. However, knowing this water comes straight from the Emmons Glacier means it is absolutely freezing and not as appealing when you think about it.
When we reached the first lake, the smell was warm and sweet. It is a familiar smell, the smell of warm pine needles and the dampness of the old growth warming in the sun. The calm of the lake is just as beautiful as the flowing river. This is where I feel the most grounded, hearing the river flow and the birds chirping. The office and the thought of working tomorrow was no-where in my mind!
We only passed a few people on the trail which made it all the more serene. Another plus of hiking early in the season, no bugs! Last summer there were so many mosquito and flies on this trail that you opted to keep moving to avoid having to constantly wave them off.
As we wandered along the trail we climbing around, above, and even crawling under fallen trees the boys talked about this and that. We sang the Proclaimers (500 miles) and discussed whether they went 500 or 5,000 miles for a minute. They planned for the zombie apocalypse and discussed their tactics for securing our base. We talked about our family goals this summer and we made a deal.
The deal? If I work the week, they have to give me the weekend for family time. That during the week they can play their video games, have their TV time, and play with friends. Cy can find work, but we need to keep at least one day on the weekend for family. The weekends we will do hikes, go camping, go to the beach. They agreed they would try not to complain too much before we go, because they feel so good once they are out and doing it.
We discussed the blog as well, Cy said that he really wants us to keep it up this year. I agreed that it will be a great way to document our experiences and what we learn. It will also allow us to see the changes we will grow through the next few summers. Cy will be 16 soon, three years of high school left. I am preparing myself for that time I need to let him go off into the world on his own, but most importantly I am preparing him for the world with the help of my wonderful family and friends who support every crazy outlandish idea we have. I suppose all of that is for another blog.
With Earth Day coming in just a few days, I challenge each of you to get out and enjoy nature. Mother Earth has been good to us, and we abuse and take advantage of her on a daily basis. Love her as she loves you. Trust me, she will never let you down.