The preparations were in full swing when the first chink in our optimistic armour happened. Dylan did not want to wear his boots. He did not want to wear his fleece lined coveralls. He did not want to wear his snow pants. He absolutely, positively did NOT want to ride in the sled. He wanted the backpack. The backpack that wasn't going. The backpack that the kid has outgrown especially in full snow gear. The backpack that hangs in the shed and will probably be looking for a new home next summer.
We set off for the Grandview turn off and hadn't left the driveway before Ethan was wailing. Not whimpering. Not crying. Not sobbing. Wailing. Something about leaving his Leapster home and not being able to play the DS - why won't Christmas get here so this won't be an issue anymore - and Tom and Logan playing Mario when he wanted to more. The wailing continued for quite some time. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the turn off and he was still pretty upset by the time we got there. The tune had changed slightly though. He no longer wailed about the injustices of no Leapster and DS and began to wail about wanting to be there NOW. Oh to be four.
Not to be deterred, Gary and I laughed about the two little ones and knew, no, believed that this was going to be a memory of joyful Christmas break adventures in the Grand Canyon. One the boys would look back on for years to come and, one day, when they had kids of their own, tell the story of snow shoeing in the National Park.
We unloaded the car and loaded up the sled. Gary strapped five pair of snow shoes on five pair of warm boots. He put Dylan in the sled on top of the foam pad and sleeping bag to keep him warm. We put on gloves and hats and zipped coats. We loaded hot chocolate and water, sandwiches and cookies into the sled and off we went down the road to Grandview.
Grandview lookout tower is about two miles down the road. This was to be our destination. The destination with a little house waiting to warm our toes and invite us in to drink hot cocoa. The destination with perfect family picture spots to chronicle our amazing journey into the wilderness in the winter in our snow shoes. This was a perfect destination. Two miles? No problem.
Slight problem. About twenty feet down the trail, Ethan was tired. His legs "couldn't go any more" and all he wanted was to ride in the sled. The sled that Gary was pulling behind him loaded with hot chocolate and water and extra clothing and snacks and lunch and, most importantly, Dylan. He really, really, really wanted to be in the sled. He wanted it so much, in fact, that he reminded us every three steps. After a very long, snow packed, no incline what so ever, half mile, Gary gave in and loaded Ethan into the sled. The optimism began to wane about reaching our destination.
Dylan, not pleased about sharing his now coveted sled, wanted out. He wanted to walk. He wanted to be carried. He wanted to just sit on the trail. Anything but riding next to Ethan. He eventually ended up on Gary's shoulders. I don't know how Gary did it, carrying Dylan on his shoulders while pulling the sled with Ethan and all the gear.
We made it about a mile and a quarter before the optimism ceased to exist. We weren't going to reach the destination. We would be having hot cocoa on the side of the trail. We had been going for about an hour and the boys were done. To be honest, my legs were a bit done as well and McKay, who early on in the journey had been leaping and bounding through the untouched snow, was now staying firmly on the packed trail and staying close to Gary - the owner of the keys.
We stopped and had our treat and began heading back to the car. Gary put the two little ones back in the sled together and Tom and Logan started running down the trail. The running continued for about twenty minutes before they found a coveted hiding spot and tried to ambush us with snow balls.
After Gary passed the hide-out, Tom and Logan began to fall behind. Far enough behind that Gary had Ethan in the car before we got to the parking lot. Ethan and Dylan had both fallen soundly asleep on the way back to the car. Less whining and complaining. Less movement in the sled. Less room for McKay to ride and boy did she want to at this point! More dead weight for Gary to pull. We ate our sandwiches on the way home in the car. Memories? Maybe. Idyllic? Maybe not. Will we attempt it again? Absolutely!
Thomas loves being outside. He never complains about being cold or tired. He loves to do it all!
Logan was the first one off through the untouched snow as soon as he got his snow shoes on.
Once Ethan saw his shoes, he was so excited to get out running. He kept it up too, for about two minutes.
Dylan, "His Highness," didn't really mind riding around on his sled as soon as he got in it. Who could blame him with the padding and the lack of exertion?
McKay did awesome. The first half of the hike, you wouldn't even know she was ten year's old. I don't think she'll be moving much tonight and tomorrow though.
Logan and his dramatic falls. Most of his falls were just for effect, like this one.
After riding in the sled for a mile or so, Ethan and Dylan really needed a rest.
Logan was pretending to be asleep in the snow. Brrrr......
Hot cocoa break never sounded so sweet as it did at this point in our hike. The boys could sit down and get right back up. I needed Gary to pull me out of the snowbank!
My little Tommy Boy is growing up!
The family at the end of our hike in. Now for the hike out.
Ethan and Dylan intertwined in the sled. It must have been comfortable because they both fell asleep in this position! Dylan stayed asleep while Gary got Ethan out and then took off Dylan's boots and coat. The poor kid was all sorts of tuckered out from riding in the sled and on Gary's shoulders.
A sight I never thought I'd see. Five pair of snowshoes drying out after a day in the snow and all belonging to my little family.
2 comments:
Looks like a very fun day. Memories for sure!!
Love it!
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