Walking In The Desert
After 8 months (can you believe it has been that long?) of living in the desert, it is about time we got out and really "experienced" the desert. And experience it we did! Don't worry no one has fallen into cactus or been bit by a snake or other insect. We just went for a hike one afternoon amongst the cactus and creepy crawlies.
It tends to be when we hike that Paul hikes up towards the front and I bring up the rear. I kind of like this arrangement because then I get to enjoy things at a slower pace, usually the pace of which ever child is going the slowest, and get a good look at the scenery. As I was taking in the scenery of this particular "adventure" or "expedition", as my kiddos like to call our hikes, I realized the stark contrast of where we live compared to where we lived just 8 months earlier.
Despite the contrast, it was still beautiful beautiful. There is something amazing about being in the desert, it is peaceful, quiet and calming, even with four noisy, whiny children.
We all felt the effects of the desert; this was the first hike we had ever been on that we actually drank all of our water. It wasn't even hot outside, it was a beautiful spring afternoon.
Sarah loved picking the wild flowers. I think another month and the cactus will be blooming, maybe I will try to convince them all to go again. John loved carrying rocks and sticks. He thought the empty bullet shell we found was pretty cool too. Rachel loved to climb on rocks, the higher the better. Elizabeth was a good trooper and enjoyed it all!
We went farther than the kids wanted to go, so we had to keep them focused on the next "stop"; snacks to eat, rocks to sit and rest on, rocks to climb, trail marker to launch rocks off of, etc.
It tends to be when we hike that Paul hikes up towards the front and I bring up the rear. I kind of like this arrangement because then I get to enjoy things at a slower pace, usually the pace of which ever child is going the slowest, and get a good look at the scenery. As I was taking in the scenery of this particular "adventure" or "expedition", as my kiddos like to call our hikes, I realized the stark contrast of where we live compared to where we lived just 8 months earlier.
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| Kentucky |
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| Arizona |
Despite the contrast, it was still beautiful beautiful. There is something amazing about being in the desert, it is peaceful, quiet and calming, even with four noisy, whiny children.
We all felt the effects of the desert; this was the first hike we had ever been on that we actually drank all of our water. It wasn't even hot outside, it was a beautiful spring afternoon.
Sarah loved picking the wild flowers. I think another month and the cactus will be blooming, maybe I will try to convince them all to go again. John loved carrying rocks and sticks. He thought the empty bullet shell we found was pretty cool too. Rachel loved to climb on rocks, the higher the better. Elizabeth was a good trooper and enjoyed it all!
We went farther than the kids wanted to go, so we had to keep them focused on the next "stop"; snacks to eat, rocks to sit and rest on, rocks to climb, trail marker to launch rocks off of, etc.
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| each of my kiddos are somewhere on those rocks exploring |
Hiking is a great metaphor for life: You can focus on the sweat, heat, tired legs and feet, hills, poky plants, dirt and creepy crawlies OR you can focus on the beautiful scenery, wonderful company, fresh air and the feeling of accomplishment for making it back to the trail head in one piece. I can't wait to go again!!!
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