Hiking & Camping

We went to backcountry weekend at Henry Coe state park. It was Kit's first campout and her first hike. Turns out she is an excellent camper and hiker.

Hiking out to Will's Pond, now known as Kit's Pond.

A little rest then...

Time to help dad set up the tent.

It's nice being two. You get your own porta-potty when you go camping.

We have a lovely camp location overlooking the pond.

I am jealous of Kit's jacket. The light weight is ideal for cool summer evenings. Kit laughed and said, "Dad, it's pink!" Lately, Kit wants almost everything in pink.



Nice rock formation at the edge of the pond.

Here is Kit's pond.

We spoke with many of the people fishing. If they caught a fish while we were chatting I'd ask Kit if she wanted to touch it. She didn't hesitate at all. She stuck her finger out each time and touched the side of the fish. Next year I'll need to bring fishing poles.

Kit also saw tadpoles and threw countless rocks into the pond.

Time for another rest before we go to work.

Helping dad on his trail patrol.



Dan: "Kit, you are a really good hiker."

Kit: "Like mommy and daddy."


Dan: "I am so proud of you."
Kit: "I am proud of me too."
Dan: "I am glad."

It is time for a homemade chocolate chip cookie.

Eventually, those little legs need a rest.

But not for long. Soon she is asking to hike again.

Tuk: "Dan, you are so lucky. She is a hiker."

Dan: "I know. She is amazing."

Kit was quite excited to see the horse camp.



We had lunch on a rock with views of the valley, mountains, flowers and a creek.

The view is really nice from up on top of dad's shoulders.

See?

Dan: "Kit, do you want to hike up that hill?"

Kit: "Yes, please."

Kit did hike most of the nearly 5 mile loop.
Sometimes she pretended she was snowboarding or dancing instead of hiking.

She would often stop and look at the large tunnels in the ground then announce, "Squirrel in the hole!"

This is her first hiking stick.

We're back at the camp already.

Hiking is a lot of fun.

Thank you mommy for taking me camping and hiking.

Dad, race you up the next hill!

Kit woke up in the middle of the night so I asked her, "Would you like to see the stars?" "Yes, daddy," she replied. I opened the tent door while she sat on my lap. With the cool night air on her face she looked up. "So many stars," she said. Besides all of the bright stars there was a lovely view of the Milky Way on this moonless night. She went back to sleep dreaming of the stars.

Kit missed her doll, Emily. She gave Emily a hug and told her about our trip.