Feeling a little adventurous, I convinced Mr. Handsome that the weather this weekend was a precious gift in short supply. We must enjoy Arizona's unique desert beauties before they evaporate with the summer heat. I wanted to hike South Mountain and I didn't want to let a little thing like having a new baby and a toddler slow us down. I figured if I could track down the proper gear for hiking with little ones, then it was destiny that we go. After many a phone call to several generous friends*, we were all equipped! South Mountain here we come! I have lived in AZ for decades and had never set foot on your famous trails.
Destination: Buena Vista Trail. It is a FOUR MILE hike. The terrain is an easy level, but the duration would definitely be challenging for our crew. It has some awesome rock formations, like "Fat Man's Pass", "Window Rock" and "The Tunnel." Handsome had run it a couple of months ago, did the whole thing in 45 minutes. He figured it would take us 2 hours with the kids.
I was feeling a little nervous as we started. (Especially when Sunshine got car sick and started vomiting 3 minutes before we found the parking lot. The roads are very windy up there!) Was I being fool hardy? Were we going to last? Would they have to air vac us outta there? Those feelings proved to be unfounded as everybody LOVED it! And the best part? NO ONE COMPLAINED! I kid you not. They all got along great. It was a beautiful day and an awesome challenge. It took us 3 hours and 20 minutes complete (a little longer than our estimation). Thank heavens Mr. Bingley Bones slept the entire time wrapped snuggly up against his mama. We were all exhausted by the end but felt we'd had a great experience. All the kids want to know when we can go hiking again.
*Special Thanks to Kathya and Jamie for loaning their back packs to us!
9 comments:
that is adventurous!
looks like fun, we might have to try a little of that when it warms up here. Maybe you could come hike by my house next...
Impressive and ambitious. Too ambitious for me. The kids looked like they had a great time crawling up those huge rocks.
So glad you all had a good time and were able to make the hike, see the beautiful scenery and have fun together.
Brave family! Sounds like a very fun adventure. I, too, have never hiked South Mountain (of Camelback). But I usually twist my ankles hiking.
Glad you had fun! I've never hiked South Mountain either. Maybe we'll go the next time I'm down.
Good for you guys! Looks like a great memory for everyone.
it's soooooo much fun! i enjoyed a challenge!
wow, i am so impressed that you just had your 6th child and are hiking mountains!!!
wow---all i have to say is---i have a lot to learn from you Becky.
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