Fast Forward: Hiking with Kids, AT outside Dublin, VA, May 2015 (13 miles)

One of my favorite things about my kids growing up is that they've grown to love the outdoors, and they are strong and healthy enough to hike.  Neither of those was guaranteed so many years ago, and any parent knows how fragile is each person's life (especially, young life).  When I look at these pictures, I burst with joy, laughter, and the headshake-of-disbelief.  "Who is the young person in front of exhibiting such exuberance about the outdoors?"  Answer: someone who shares my last name.  Amazing!

Greyson on AT, Waipiti, VA, APR 2015

I enjoyed hiking with my 2 of my kids Anna Clare and Boone, but the reality is that I shared an overnight with all of my kids over the past year (AUG 2014 - May 2015).  It is good to get alone with our kids, away from the normal routines and usual distractions.  It has also been fun to talk and walk the AT, since both AC and Boone have recently read books about the Appalachian Trail.  Much of our spring has revolved around the AT, with reading and teaching and talking about the ribbon of protected land from GA to ME.  It's fairly surreal to hear them talking about doing a thru-hike, so I won't hold them to their pinky-swear promises.  As my kids grow older, I grow in admiration of their lives, their dreams, and their commitments.  I want to help them in their dreams, but I often feel the need to help them understand what it takes to hold their commitments.  These two days in May, the three of spent some time discussing the magnitude of the commitment regarding an AT thru-hike.  Amidst our giggles and amazement with the forest around us, I felt a strong, relational connection with my kids; a relational connection that signifies they are growing up to become their own individually-distinct person.  It's overwhelming (pause... headshake-of-disbelief). 

Dismal Creek on AT, MAY 2015

  With Eliza and Boone at the Apple Orchard Falls Trail in AUG 2014.  This was Lizzy's first backpacking trip, and she handled it like everything else- with toughness and deter-
mination.  Way to go, Girl!