We love hiking in the fall around here- it is usually our most beautiful weather, and it's not too hot or buggy. We loaded up with plenty of clothes for the boys, and headed first for Richard Russell Scenic Hwy. There are a number of places to hike along that route, and the views are lovely.
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
I carried Babyman, of course, and the older boys hiked. They carry their own packs with snacks and water.
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
The weather was gorgeous!
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
Most of the leaves had already fallen, but there was still some lovely color to be found.
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
Littleman used his compass to show us the way.
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
It is very important to us that the boys have frequent experience outdoors, surrounded by the natural world. We take them out in all kinds of weather, to a variety of places. We want these experiences to be embedded in their very beings; to become an integral element of WHO they are.
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
We hope they will become comfortable and proficient in natural surroundings, and perhaps will learn to love- no, to NEED- nature. We can't give them daily exposure to wild places, but we do our best to offer natural experiences in every corner of our lives. For their part, the boys have made me proud. Children seem to take to nature easily, even happily accepting tough conditions that would discourage most adults I know. These boys positively delight in exploring the outdoors, and Littleman especially is turning into an impressive hiker.
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
We start them early, getting them used to outside as much as possible from infancy. (Isn't it odd that we have to think about whether they are getting enough outside time? What an insular, indoor existence we lead.)
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
The bonus is that Billy and I get to do something we adore. We need time outdoors as much as we need food or sleep. What a blessing that we get to share it with our boys!
A UFO crashed into a tree:
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
Mountains glimpsed through the wintry woods:
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
Beautiful details like roots stretching deep into the earth:
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| From November Hikes 2008 |
I hope you have enjoyed this hike with us. As it started to get dark, we returned to the car. The next day, we planned to head to Blood Mountain for a longer, much steeper climb. I had no idea how well Littleman was to prove his mettle that day!
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7 comments:
Oh my word! I cannot believe this post and am going to Stumble it. It is soooooooo fantastic. You are a natural writer, photogrpaher and absolute LOVER of Nature. The photos of ALL of you just vibrate with vitality. You said so many things in here that could have come right out of my mouth. You are like ME!!! You even talk like me in your expressions. Like:
"...and perhaps will learn to love- no, to NEED- nature."
"...to become an integral element of WHO they are."
"...even happily accepting tough conditions that would discourage most adults"
"(Isn't it odd that we have to think about whether they are getting enough outside time? What an insular, indoor existence we lead.)"
"We need time outdoors as much as we need food or sleep."
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I am just jumping up and down and if I was there I would hug you and your husband. I cannot encourage you enough. I am sooooo proud of you both for doing this. I can gaurantee that it is the beggest most important gift that you can give your children. I know, because I was given the same and it forged my whole life. I NEVER forgot it. My father and mother did this for us kids (6 kids) and I love them for it.
Your photography is first rate and absolutely expresses what you are feeling and seeing in Nature. You are brilliant and shinning and the little ones are sooooooo adorable!!! It is all just way too precious. Mucho kudos!! And BIG BIG hugs to you all. Robin
You know Robin, whenever I need a pick-me-up I can come here and read this comment. Just. . . thank you. :)
I love the close-up photo of the leaf! Awesome!
Thanks! That's a favorite trick of mine- hold a lovely autumn leaf up with the sun behind it, and shoot a picture using the macro setting on the camera. Like stained glass.
Ok, so this post (I am reading your blog backwards - can you tell?) has me squealing with joy - your lucky, lucky children! My parents were townies and although my mum loved nature, neither of them really knew much about the practicalities of being outdoors - they were somewhat scared of it and although we would go for little strolls there was nothing like this in my childhood. I was a fully grown adult before I found out that ANYONE can go walking in the hills - I actually thought you had to be an experienced mountain climber to veer off the lowland trails and go upwards. I had no outdoor sense at all really and had to learn it from luckier and more intrepid friends. So I can tell you from my own experience, you are not "just" taking your kids hiking, you are as Robin already said giving them an important gift that will last their whole lives long - but I guess you know that already :D
...oh, and did I say what cute kids you have? :D
Thank you, Bird! Yes, we are constantly surprised by how many grown adults we know who are inexperienced with nature- even scared of it. (Especially, for some reason, people we meet in the music business.) We try to help our friends enjoy it too, but it's nothing like sharing it with our own kids.
When I was growing up we spent a lot of time outside, but mostly just roaming our suburban neighborhood. (I loved to climb a tree and sit up there reading.) It wasn't until I began dating my husband that we began hiking and camping, and well, you can see that THAT worked out rather well! LOL. Thank goodness for that. :)
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