Elephant Rock

         

The kiddos have been begging to go on a hike fore quite a while now so we decided to take them on a hike they have never been on before.  It's one that Marc and I went on while we were newly dating. It was quite the experience; he had a migraine, I wore my awesome chacos and there was still snow on the ground.  Chacos sandals are awesome fore hiking but not so much when there is snow on the ground, and migraine and hikes never are a good combination.  But we pressed forward and made it to Elephant Rock - named (we guess) because there is a GIGANTIC grey rock sticking out of the side of the mountain surrounded by plenty of green trees. There is a beautiful view once your reach the top and you can even climb out onto the rock.  When we went the first time we didn't climb out onto the rock because of the snow and because Marc was not feeling well. In fact once we made it to the top he went behind a tree and threw up while I patiently sat on the bench trying not to listen.  It's quite the story...and one that a strong relationship has been built on.

The hike it's self is not very strenuous but it is long, 7 miles long - in and out.  The kids rocked it though.  I'm quite proud of them. PJ seemed to enjoy himself too and wasn't too tuckered out like we had hoped.  At the top Rachel and Benjamin climbed out to the rock with Marc while I waited on the bench with Andrew, Hannah and Isaac.  When we had about 1 mile left on our way out of the canyon the whining started.  All of the kiddos feet were hurting, several of us had formed painful blisters, their little legs were tired and they had had enough.  But they pushed through and everyone enjoyed sitting down on the grass by our van.

 We learned a few valuable lessons that day:

1.  Make sure you have good supportive shoes.
2. Our kiddos limit right now is about 4 miles.
3. make sure you don't accidentally drop the diaper you were changing at the top of the trail head because it will roll down the mountain.  Sorry about that....we typically pack everything out with us and not litter.  Oops!