Before the hike, I went to the supermarket and bought four different kinds of candy ranging from Sour Patch to gummy worms and jelly beans. It did involve a little bit of bribery which I realize is not the best parenting strategy but I knew it would work. With a little creative thinking, I came up for a plan. There rises Harney Peak, the tallest mountain in the state at an elevation of 7242 feet (2207 m). Our opportunity for our first real family hike was this past June during our trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota. She is only 8 but fairly athletic if she puts her mind to it. My next task was to get my daughter Sophia engaged and inspired to hike. Finally, just this past June my son Max (who is ten now) did his second climb of Eagle Mountain and did it all along with Papa. Then on our last visit to Arizona where my parents live and there are endless opportunities to hike, we brought the kids to Sabino Canyon and my son Max did a longer, five hour hike with my husband and dad. We started out small with hikes around different state parks in Minnesota and even walks around my beloved Lake Harriet. My love of hiking and exploring what is beneath my feet is so strong that as a mother I have wanted to instill my passion on my children. It has led me most recently to the peak of Kilimanjaro to the beauty of Patagonia, Bolivia, France, Nepal and many times of hikes in Arizona. Hiking Eagle Mountain each year developed a lifelong love of the outdoors and trekking. It is funny how those special memories of childhood stay with you for the rest of your life.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |