Hiking with my son

“Well, yesterday I took my 4yrold son on a really short hike. I had planned for it to be longer, but there were a few changes made and it was fun anyway.

We packed up and drove to the state park near here (Monte Sano, for those of you in the know), parked at the hiker's parking lot, and hiked over to the picnic area. This is about a quarter mile. My son had his new hiking boots on, plus a backpack with his jacket and lunch in it. I let him borrow one of my hiking poles so he could feel like a real hiker. After lunch, we played at the playground there, then we hiked over to the overlook, where I got some good pics of him and nature. Then we deviated from my plan by going down into McKay Hollow a little to see the waterfall right below the overlook. I got a pic of him there, and then we climbed up out of the hollow. For a four-year-old kid, I thought he did pretty good. He only needed me to lift him up once, although I kept my hand on his back to keep him from falling backward during the more vertical stuff. After that, we were both a little beat (uh huh) so we walked the quarter mile back to the car and went home. He had a pretty good time, although I had to take the hiking pole away from him because he kept making holes in the dirt "for the little snakes".

Don't have the pics yet, but I'll post when I have them up.”

“You need to bring the kids this weekend bitpusher!”

“Well, I'm not going to TC2, Miss Opie, so that's sort of a moot point. Sorry to miss out on the fun, but we've got other plans now.”

“I live at the base of Monte Sano and spend alot time hiking there. I think its great your giving the gift of the outdoors to your son. Monte Sano has alot to offer us.”

“"although I had to take the hiking pole away from him because he kept making holes in the dirt "for the little snakes"

Gheeseee....what a partypooper.
Those little snakes need homes too. ;) LOL

Way to go Bit, get that kid out there as much as you can.”

“i can relate pitbusher. i love taking my kids out.”

“Good going. Looking forward to the photos.

Your report inspires me to get out there with my boy. The way he's going, I think he'll skip crawling and take to trekking in no time.”

“You be surprised how much those little legs can walk. Just wait, he will hike a 10 miler with you in no time. Can't wait to see pics.

I love to take my kids too, specially my 9 year old, he really enjoys it.”

“That sounds AWESOME...the best times my son and I have ever had is when we've hiked together (my youngest). The best was one Sunday we went for a walk & it was kinda rainy when we started well, on the way back it poured...a gully washer, we were drenched..we walked back on the road and a car stopped to give us a ride, we politely declined...having tooo much fun!”

“Nice

Them snakes are evil~~%^>

...especially the little ones!”

“LOL! that's cute. what did he take for lunch? whenever i went hiking when i was his age, i always got to take peanut-butter-and-honey sandwiches.”

“His sandwich was peanut butter and grape jelly. Plus he had a bunch of cheese puffs to go with it, lol...

Unfortunately, he got sick that night and was up all night (and me too) with it coming out both ends. I don't think the hike had anything to do with it, but it was too bad it had to happen that night.”

“Boy I sure know how to kill a thread, don't I? lol.....”

“oh sorry, we were all busy savoring that image.

i bet the cheese puffs had something to do with it. i make it a rule never to eat neon-colored "foods." LOL! although, the really crunchy Cheetos sometimes jump into my mouth.”

“lol....

Actually, the first time he let go, after he was done, he looked at it and said, "cool, my cheese puffs".

I couldn't have been prouder...”

“lmao you two....”

“Sounds like you guys had a blast I can't wait to see the pic's!

8)”

“Here's a link to the Webshots album...”

“the pics are so good! he's so cute!”

“cool pitbusher! maybe ya'll can go with me n my sons sometime. they'de have a blast.”

“I gotta get him used to some real miles first! Him and his sister too!

They're both getting a little more hiking equipment for Christmas, but I haven't made the plunge and bought a backpack for either of them yet.”

“if you don't call monte sano real miles, then what are they? i was sore 3 days after the trip you took us on!”

“lol, Miss Opie, the hike I took him on ended up being less than a mile in about 2 hours...a lot easier than the deathmarch I dragged you and OPIE on...lol...

I'm thinking of trying that again, BTW...wanna come?”

“My sons used to go dayhiking with me, never got them on an overnighter.... I'm envious man.”

“It's like, they went only so far with me, didn't want the miles of an overnighter, then I couldn't get them to go even on a 1 miler after a while. I guess, I'm suggesting that you break him in real easy on the mileage... Even if it means calling a 2 miler an overnighter, then you can hook him real good. Once he spends a night out there cooking and sleeping in nature..... that's the ticket!!!”

“very cool pics”

“bitpusher. Your son seems to have down pat the idea of taking breaks and snacking for 5 minutes each hour. How old is he?”

“Looks like a perky little hiker. That pose in front of the waterfall looks natural enough. I've used that stance myself now and again.

Memories of backpacking trips we took when he was a kid are among my son's cherished memories of childhood. Walt will have those memories too.”

“He is soooo precious..I love the one of him taking a break, sitting on the wall. Seems like yesterday my guys were that little but yet so long ago.”

“I did lots of car camping when the kids were little.
We too would go on little adventure walks... looking for wildlife and wild views.

Spending time around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, laughing, talking, singing.

Latter laying in our bags looking at the night sky and all it's wonders, catching sight of a shooting star or a satellite streaking by.

Fun times ...for sure!

Backpacking is just a natural progression from camping... just keep the mileage short at first and always bring lots of snacks!

My first Born on Mount Whitney”

“you will ever make. I started my kinds on overnighters when they were four. My son is now 22 and carries lots more weight than I can. It makes for some nice 'extras and luxuries' at the top of the hill, and memories that will warm your heart during those cold nights on trail.”

“He's definitely a break-taker, but then again he's only 4. He'll be 5 in February though. I had promised to take him camping, but now it's getting too cold at night for his mom to let him go, so I might have to wait until it warms up a bit. I had planned to take him a little further that day, but it didn't work out. But any time out on any trail with your son (or daughter) is good.”

“when are you going bitpusher?”

“I am thinking about Friday or Saturday. I'm trying to get rid of this sinus/cold thing I have going before I do any serious hiking. I'll know by Thursday if it's going to be feasible or not.”

“Great story and pics. My son is 25 now and we still camp and hike together when we can. Lots of good memories from family outings and Boy Scouts.

IMHO, learning to backpack proficiently as a kid really prepares you for a lot in life.”

“Amen Phil.

I'm looking forward to hiking with my daughter.”