Ready for Hiking: Maybe

This past Tuesday, as we drove home from a day on the waterfront with friends, Little Man announced from the back seat that he wanted to go on an "Adventure".  When asked what that adventure was, he happily stated that he wanted to head up Camel's Hump.  While on most occasions I am willing to partake in Little Man's adventures, there were a few problems with this plan.

 1. There is still snow on Camels Hump

2. The Green Mountain Club asks hikers to partake in low lying hikes during mud season

3. It was 2:30 in the afternoon and this is an all day hike for me without Little Man in tow

4. We have not started hiking yet this season

 

So what is a mom to do?  She suggests that we go and look for tad poles at a local pond and hike around the trails there.  Adventure temporarily adverted. 

 

On Thursday we were visiting friends in Massachusetts and went for a small hike at The Fruitlands Museum.  While the two boys sought out every possible trail to make the hike longer, we finally made out way out of the woods.  After over an hour of walking around in the woods we trudged up the hill towards the fields, Little Man trudging up the hill dragging his stick, begging for a piggy back.  In my mind I am thinking we may be done with the hiking bug for a while. 

 Saturday morning, Little Man wakes up ready to go, packed his snacks, water, jacket and had his hiking boots on shortly after he woke up. 

 After checking various hiking websites for recommended mud season hikes in our area we settle for Red Rocks Park. Small hikes, great view and I know the trails because our cross-country team occasionally does hill workouts here.  I attempted to get Little Man to leave the backpack in the car because it is only a little hike, but quickly gave up.  He was determined to use his hiking backpack. 

 After climbing on every rock and tree in the park (that I would let him on), we finally managed to drag him away from the park.  Given the chance I am pretty sure we would still be hiking around in the dark.  Guess I should get all the hiking maps out and ready to go, since it looks like as soon as the mud season signs are down we will be headed up Camels Hump.