When you hike with kids, you never know what to expect. You certainly don't expect to speed up the trail. Sometimes, though, you must stop quite frequently. Especially when one kid brings a magnifying glass to "explore" every inch of the woods. Josiah's pockets are always loaded with gadgets and treasures, and his magnifying glass came out frequently last Sunday as we hiked leisurely towards Twin Falls. He and Naomi and Anika were calling themselves "The Explorers!" and racing zig-zag across the trail to examine different things. At some point the magnifying glass was put away for a few minutes and we gained a little ground... that is, until the dads decided to try a little fishing.
Needless to say, we did eventually make it to the Falls, which were beautiful. As long as it took us to get there was the blink of an eye compared to the time water has been falling through space at this place on earth. We had to stop and contemplate the continuity- year after year, water never ceases to pour down these rocks. It gives the onlooker a little perspective on the passage of time.
The hike back down went a bit faster. The kids had fun scampering around, though they were getting a little tired. There was still plenty of energy for silliness and smiles.
We stopped by the river- I guess it was fishing time again. The kids challenged themselves by jumping from rock to rock. Yes, they all got wet, but that means they were really doing something! Josiah spent a good amount of time collecting "weapons."This is one of his favorite pastimes- as steady as the waterfall itself, the boy is picking stuff up to bring along in hand or pocket. I asked if he could put down a few of them, as they seemed to be hindering his movements on the slippery rocks. He replied that he, in fact, could not. "I need these weapons!" he said. "I am the guard! The guard of The Yellow Princess!" It took me a second to note, but of course; The Yellow Princess was his beloved cousin Anika, all splendid in sunny plastic rain garb. She ventured across the rocks fearlessly with her loyal guard behind her, ready to defend her against any enemy with his vast arsenal.
Despite wet feet, everyone felt refreshed and renewed by the time spent with family outdoors, surrounded by beauty. We plan to go back another time, when all those blueberry and huckleberry bushes are covered in fruit, and maybe the fish will be biting, too.
