Family Backpacking Trip #2

(Last year we went on our first family backpacking trip. It was just a one nighter and the kids were ages 6, 4, and almost 2. We went with my parents and a nephew who was 5. It was a couple miles in and a couple miles out.)

NOTE: pictures are more or less in chronological order and may or may not relate to text which is near it. I'm not sure I like the publishing features of Blogger, or I don't know how to use them. So, I guess this is a game - match the captions to the pictures!
- weigh in
- trail head
- on the trail still looking clean and happy
- skinny dipping in glacier pond near summit
- family photo on summit
- S. Sister from base camp at Moraine Lake

This year we had bigger things in mind. We just got home from spending 2 nights at Moraine Lake at the base of South Sister in the Cascade Mountain range in central Oregon.

This time everyone was a year older and my sister was able to come along with her son (the nephew). Again, it was a short hike in, about 2.5 miles. The boys had their own backpacking packs and carried their own sleeping gear, clothes, food, and water. Myles actually borrowed the same pack that my youngest brother used 21? years ago when he was about the same age for his first backpacking trip, which my mother held on to for some unknown reason. Cedar was too big for the kid carrier pack this year so we brought the jogger and it actually worked out great. Though, carrying 40 lbs. and pushing 40 lbs. was difficult at times. Highlights of the first day were sliding down and playing on snow patches, splashing around in the lake and creek, and cheesy potato soup with slices of hot dog. Why my mom thought to bring and add barbecued hot dogs to the soup is beyond me, but it was surprisingly tasty and a real hit with the kids. Unfortunately, the kids didn't want anything to do with the macaroni and cheese that was prepared for them. It's a good thing the adults weren't picky eaters.

The next day we went on a very popular, yet challenging hike. Ethan, Myles, and Kim strapped on day packs and I strapped on Cedar. I actually improvised carrying her with 2 neon green strips of rubber exercise bands that I used to strap my sleeping bag to my pack. Thanks to my sister, Cedar had a reasonably comfortable ride; a ride that lasted approximately half the day. Yes, literally. Well, 9:30 am to 9:30 pm is, yep, as in 12 hours. The terrain was too steep and loose for most of the way for Cedar to walk so she just stayed on my back. Thankfully my sister took a turn on the way up so I could take a break.

So, in our minds we were flexible with what would become of the day hike because we were hiking with kids. In our hearts we were determined to summit (10, 300 ft) and get a family picture and the bragging rights that go along with having 3 generations age 62 down to almost 3 on top of a mountain where we gained 4,000 feet in 3.7 miles. I don't think we broke any records and it wasn't Everest or even McKinley, but it was challenging, even a little dangerous, and I'm looking forward to more backpacking with my family. Maybe in 30 years Kim and I will be backpacking with our grandchildren.

Highlights of day 3: walking back over the log bridge and Dairy Queen in Madras on the way home.

July 4th

As little and out in the middle of nowhere as our town is they do a decent 4th of July. This morning we went the to Scout breakfast. You can't beat all-you-can-eat pancakes with bacon and scrambled eggs. I smiled as we drove past the 5k runners. I used to run and sometimes I still think I do, but my lame excuses were that I have 3 little kids and it was nearing 80 degrees by 8:00 a.m.

The parade was fun and Ethan and Myles were in it. They were on the Funtastic Kids summer program float. One of my favorite was the mariachi band followed by the Mexican horse riders, sombreros and all. They looked sharp and several of the horses danced for us.

The kids are back at the park for kid activities like the jumping castle, water slide, etc... There is a talent show and several other things going on at the Maria. Of course, the day will end with a firework show. In the meantime, I'm at home watching the home made ice cream and helping getting ready for a last minute BBQ at our house. It should be fun. There's nothing like a BBQ, ice cream, friends and family.

I've Heard of Urban Hiking ...

... but, is there such a thing as rural hiking? I've never heard of it, but if there is such a thing I think we just did it. Background info - Last Christmas Ethan got a kid-sized backpacking backpack from his backpacking enthusiast Grandma. (Myles would have gotten one too, but they don't really make them that small. Though, he did get a very special backpack for such adventures.) So, they boys got to test out their new equipment on our first backpacking trip of the year.

Friday afternoon Ethan, Myles, and I set out the front door with our gear and ventured off through our town to join our church ward's annual father-and-son camp out. We hiked a mile or two over to the river and slept over night at the campground. Though, the minute we started hiking the boys began panting. They were being silly of course, but they didn't realize it. They carried their sleeping bag, clothes, water, and stuffed animals. They certainly were not packed down like pack animals, so the panting was definitely a child's dramatic interpretation of what backpacking is supposed to look like. There was only one minor flesh wound after Myles misstepped while "practicing balancing for kindergarten" on a section of curb between the City Hall and grocery store. We rested at the library. A little while later we stopped at the hamburger joint and had dinner. They loved it, especially the cream-filled chocolate covered donut for dessert. Then we went into the gas station to buy some candy to eat later that night in the tent. We slept great. In the morning we enjoyed breakfast, which was provided by the Bishop and his councilors. We headed home at about 11:00 am. The funniest part on the way home was when I got down to tie Ethan's shoe in front of Banner Bank. He had been a bit grumpy from the get-go, and keep in mind we were on the main road, which was surprisingly busy. I tied his shoe, got up, and started walking with Myles on our merry way. Next thing I know Ethan was screaming and yelling while down on the sidewalk, "I can't get up! I CAN'T GET UP!" He was lying face up, fists clenched, and eyes shut tight to block the blinding sun, unable to get up as he was weighted down by his backpack. I know he was mad, but I laughed. Stopping at the grocery store to get candy and cold drinks helped make things better. We sat down in the shade at the front of the store and watched dozens of volunteers spread bark mulch while we relaxed. I was kind of glad I forgot about the city clean-up day. We eventually made it home. Even though I'm sure we looked rather odd walking around our little town, across the freeway to the river and back, I'm glad we did it. Lot's of waves and friendly smiles from passing cars. I can't wait to go "real" backpacking this summer.

P.S. - I thought the fuzzy center of this picture looked familiar. Alas, a fingerprint on the camera lens that I will blame on my little budding photographers. Just looking at the previous picture from Spring S'mores I thought it was the smoke creating that hazy effect. Come to think of it, it looks just like the computer and TV screens. Oh well.

What Not to Say to Kids About Food

I am really enjoying the weekends when I make more time to read - blogs, that is. I've never been much for novels of any kind. I much prefer academic journals or articles related to education, culture, or health, or things with an emphasis on design, whether it be landscaping, architecture, interior design, photography, painting, product design, graphic design, or the like. Above all, it has to be short.

Anyway, I was reading a Psychology Today blog after putting the kids down. I had to laugh at myself because I have said ALL the things the author says not to say to children about food. Interestingly, I seem to remember a parent or two saying the exact same things to me. They are:

"Don't play with your food!" The picture above was taken today before I read the blog. Ethan and Myles were playing with their food. I'm all about this kind of play. However, I don't like tossing, flicking, flooding, or submerging. I guess if they cleaned it up, more power to them. So maybe I should say, Don't make a mess with your food unless you eat it...? Note: Ethan said the apples are the dimples of the banana smile

"No dessert until you finish your meal!"

"Finish everything on your plate!"

"No laughing at the dinner table!"

"Feel bad? Let's go for ice cream."

"If you're good, you get a treat!"

"Don't you realize that kids in Africa are starving? You should feel thankful to eat!"

Click here or the link above to get the article, which explains why we shouldn't say those things.

Cheers!

"We don't do that" and Easter Morning Traditions

Okay, this morning at one of my church meetings someone was sharing Easter memories they do not look fondly upon. It was the whole Sunday-Easter-outfit-and-family-photo tradition that this person was recounting, which I have heard grumbling musings about from many different people on this very thing. I have memories of an Easter outfit, believe it or not, which I felt embarrassed about. Sorry, Mom. I am grateful for everything you've done for me, but I felt like the biggest dork for having such a coordinated spring outfit. Fortunately, I don't have a picture. This is what I remember - pastel yellow pants, matching socks to be worn with my leather stitched boat shoes and matching belt, a pastel yellow knitted tie, and short-sleeved, spring-colored madras pattern button-up shirt. Apparently, that was cool ... at least the knitted tie.

Thinking I have been a better parent for not making my family participate in such a seemingly high priority of family bonding I commented something like, "Oh, yeah, we don't do that", implying that my wife and I have learned from other people's mistakes. I was surprised by what my eyes saw when I walked in the door of my house upon returning from my meeting. I froze as I saw Kim frustratingly trying to compose the equally frustrated and uncooperative kids to capture the Kodak moment. I even started helping by opening up the blinds and curtains to let in the natural light! What was I thinking? At least the lighting will be good. Admittedly, we bought the boys new Sunday clothes (white shirt, tie, khakis) for the occasion, which they needed anyway. Pretty standard, no pastels. Kim made Cedar a dress, which, although made for Easter, is highly functional in just about any setting. No pastel colors either, just standard pink with polka-dots. Plus, Kim made it and that's pretty cool. But the photo session - that was a surprise and ironically timely considering my comment without her knowledge. So, here's to a tradition that must be hard wired somehow in our genetic makeup. (In case you're wondering, Cedar is drinking from her new water bottle she got in her Easter basket this morning. Each of the kids got one and she was particularly attached to it at the moment.)

Chickens and Lions

Ethan and Myles have been playing all day in the dining room. They have taken a few eggs and put them in a scrap fabric nest, rearranged the chairs, and added some yarn and tape in there too. I have heard them refer to this creation as the 'chicken yard'. They take turns being the rooster and farmer. The rooster cock-a-doodle-doos and wakes up the farmer, who then takes the basket to collect the eggs. More recently this afternoon Cedar put on the lion costume and roared at the chicken and farmer. I thought it was a fairly funny event.

OMSI

OMSI came through town last Friday and we enjoyed it. Cedar touched a real snake (with Dad) and experimented with a wind machine and a balloon. She also enjoyed the magnets. I had a quick conversation with the librarian about free energy and satellite ladders. He was interesting to talk to and I think would really enjoy conversations with my dad.

The boys appeared to really enjoy the whole thing as well. There were so many fun puzzles - hands-on, open-ended science and math puzzles. The picture of them is experimenting with color/light and motion. They liked spinning those discs around to make the colors change (a yellow and red disc turned orange, etc.) I would love a grandparent to make some of these puzzles and give them to their grandchildren (my kids) for birthdays and Christmas. Good idea, right, Dad?

I Love My Students

As many of you know I am a teacher in a K-3 building. I teach English language development to children whose first language is not English. In my school about 65% of students are learning English and their first language is Spanish. Anyway, yesterday one of my kinders walked in, gave me a big hug, and said, "Mr. Harper, I"m so proud of you! These computers are great!" I love my students.

P is for Paint

Today the family decided to celebrate the letter P. Kim was inspired by some friends with kids who are about our kids ages. The day started off with going to starfall.com followed by eating pancakes, picking up, playing at the park, pastries after lunch, painting, taking pictures, and pizza for dinner all while in pajamas. It was fun except for when kids were being a pain.

For my last birthday Kim gave me a big canvas, acrylic paints, and a brush. It's been years since putting to use the wonderful things I learned from LBCC art classes. I've been neglecting to make that part of me a priority. I'm really glad today was P day because while Kim and the boys went to pasear (to go with the P theme - it's Spanish) on their bikes I stayed home with Cedar and I painted. Cedar watched movies, but she got to paint later.

Kim really likes daffodils. I try to get her a boquet every year for her birthday. Keyword: try. It doesn't always work out but she has some good memories. Hopefully this will add to those good memories. I'm not sure it's any good, though I'm proud of it. I would put it on the fridge except that it's too big for that.

Anyway, this is my first acrylic on a canvas of any size but I had fun painting.