One Last Kentucky (technically Tennessee) Hiking Adventure
Just three more weeks and we will be saying good bye to a land of green vegetation everywhere you look. Before we leave we wanted to enjoy one last hike in the "jungle".
Last Saturday we went to Pickett State Park in Tennessee to hike to Hazard Cave. We had been there once before but decided this time to take the long way on the loop trail. We didn't tell the kids we were going the long way or we would have had to deal with complaining the whole way.
The hike to the cave was about 2 miles, and to my delight the kids walked the whole way. Sarah asked to be carried a couple of times but I was able to distract her with a reward of fruit snacks if she walked for10 more minutes. When we were almost to the cave Elizabeth and Rachel were wondering if we would ever get there. To my surprise John never complained and I think he would have gone farther if we needed to.
The kids were excited to play in the sand that is covering the floor of the cave and to climb on rocks.
Our visit to the cave was accented by a couple of memorable events, Elizabeth "lost" a tooth and John pooped his underwear. Let me explain: While we we hiking we had stopped to let everyone have a drink. When Elizabeth had her turn the spout on the water bottle knocked against her loose tooth and she said it was hanging by a thread now. She made it her goal to get that tooth out. With a little wiggling it was out. We carefully wrapped it up and put it in her pocket so she could take it home for the tooth fairy.
The second event happened just like I said . . Yuck!!! John is pee-pee trained but not poo-poo trained. He will not poop without his underwear on let alone in the toilet. Up until Saturday it has never been much of a problem other than frustrating and disgusting for Mom because he always took care of his business at home where a toilet, sink, baby wipes, clean underwear and bath tub are close at hand. Paul is the one who discovered the treasure in the underwear while we were playing at the cave. Paul and John were missing for a bit and I had wondered where they had gone off to. They had gone to find a place to empty John's pants. Thank goodness I had a change of shorts and underwear and a package of baby wipes in the van, and that is was a very short 1/4 mile back to the trail head.
Last Saturday we went to Pickett State Park in Tennessee to hike to Hazard Cave. We had been there once before but decided this time to take the long way on the loop trail. We didn't tell the kids we were going the long way or we would have had to deal with complaining the whole way.
The hike to the cave was about 2 miles, and to my delight the kids walked the whole way. Sarah asked to be carried a couple of times but I was able to distract her with a reward of fruit snacks if she walked for10 more minutes. When we were almost to the cave Elizabeth and Rachel were wondering if we would ever get there. To my surprise John never complained and I think he would have gone farther if we needed to.
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| taken from standing in the back of the cave looking out to the opening. |
The kids were excited to play in the sand that is covering the floor of the cave and to climb on rocks.
Our visit to the cave was accented by a couple of memorable events, Elizabeth "lost" a tooth and John pooped his underwear. Let me explain: While we we hiking we had stopped to let everyone have a drink. When Elizabeth had her turn the spout on the water bottle knocked against her loose tooth and she said it was hanging by a thread now. She made it her goal to get that tooth out. With a little wiggling it was out. We carefully wrapped it up and put it in her pocket so she could take it home for the tooth fairy.
The second event happened just like I said . . Yuck!!! John is pee-pee trained but not poo-poo trained. He will not poop without his underwear on let alone in the toilet. Up until Saturday it has never been much of a problem other than frustrating and disgusting for Mom because he always took care of his business at home where a toilet, sink, baby wipes, clean underwear and bath tub are close at hand. Paul is the one who discovered the treasure in the underwear while we were playing at the cave. Paul and John were missing for a bit and I had wondered where they had gone off to. They had gone to find a place to empty John's pants. Thank goodness I had a change of shorts and underwear and a package of baby wipes in the van, and that is was a very short 1/4 mile back to the trail head.
We had a great time (even with John's poop accident), and if it hadn't been so hot and humid we would have gone on a second hike. I'm glad we were able to get out and experience the beauty of the area one last time. I feel very blessed to have been able to live in such a beautiful place for the last five and a half years.
Comments
Yes, you have been blessed!