The First Adventure of the Season

So we finally made it. Out of our little "at home" world and off into the great beyond, well Payson canyon anyway. Devin and I decided we would go and test mine and Katelynne's endurance skills on the oh so famous 1/2 mile grotto trail. (Famous for destroying a years worth of beautiful nature walks and much much more money and heart ache when the boulder took out Devin's ankle). But to our dismay the roads are still closed for impending stormy weather.

We were not to be deterred though, we found a smaller trail to climb over boulders, enjoy little yellow flowers and hold hands up and down the tricky parts. Devin and I had so much joy watching Katelynne take the lead and climb up and up each new boulder, laughing and chattering the whole way. She would point to the top of the mountain and tell me that is where she wanted to go. Russell and Alexa enjoyed the nice bouncing of the backpacks the whole way up. On the way back down however, Alexa took the lead, walking. She told me the whole way "Mom, you can hold my hand on the tricky parts" and yes, we held hands much of the way too keep me from slipping down the path.

Russell really enjoyed all of it at the beginning at least. He just looked around bright eyed and squealed at everything. We are quite sure it is genetic on how much he loved it all. The whole way back down he "sang" to me as we walked. I think he really just wanted to go to sleep but I like to think he was serenading me from the pack.

And yes, Katelynne did much better than I did on this trek. I will not give up though. There will be more hikes to come.

Here are some pictures of how we felt.

Russell and Mommy - Here we are both smiling. When we were walking I was panting and Russell was either squealing or sucking on the hood of my jacket. I must say I was grateful that he only pulled my hair out once.

This is the real reason to come out into the wild.......to let the WILD RUMPUS START!!!!

Here are my boys looking completely at home and content in the mountains.

The expression of true joy that comes from climbing boulders and having your picture taken at the same time.