Weekend “Hikes”
We have started a new tradition in our family that I’m really excited about.
Living in Austin, Texas we are surrounded by amazing trails, creeks, rivers, wildlife, and trees. There are so many roads that you can drive down and suddenly forget that you are in a big city. And most of these roads contain hiking and biking trails. We live in a city where it’s not uncommon to see deer running across the highway or chasing through the neighborhood park. It’s a beautiful city for these reasons.
Brad and I have decided to start taking advantage of these trails and take the boys walking on them in the early morning hours of the weekend. Last year we bought a hiking style baby carrier on Craig’s List but it’s hardly been used. Until now. In fact, we need to buy another one. We have discovered that we have the ability to wear our little men down! No really, it’s true. I had no idea it was possible until I ended up carrying both (not at once) during the end of our walk yesterday morning. To their credit, they made it a good 20-30 minutes before they needed to be carried. And it was hot, we have weather in the 80s-90s by 9:00 AM.
It is wonderful. We get to greet all of the dogs walking the trails. We stop and sniff every flower, the boys play in the dirt - Logan loves to explore when he notices that a dirt is different from one he’s seen before. They pick up sticks and rocks, and sometimes have to make choices about which ones to keep with only two hands. We watch dragonflies, learn about tadpoles, touch various species of tree, and enjoy snacks on rocky outcrops. This is what I used to dream about when I thought of having kids. Raising them outside. Giving them a love of nature just by taking them out there and letting them explore. The fact that Brad is also an early morning person and loves to get up and be out of the house at 8:30 AM to do this… well, that’s one reason I married him. Our weekend “walk” as Logan loves to say is a new tradition but I expect it is a permanent one.
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When we get back from Jamaica I would love to do that on a Monday or Tuesday morning if you can swing it.