Weekly Hike: Signal Point to Rainbow Lake Loop

Wednesday afternoons will always be my favorite, and I hope my kids will some day look fondly back on this time.

The time we have spent together. The time spent discovering our mountain and surrounding valley. And the time and experiences we have shared with friends.

Each week is a little different. Different combinations of people showing up. Regulars alongside faces that come and go. We are blessed to be friends with a group of easy-going people who are welcoming to whoever is able to make it to our weekly hikes.

 

At the beginning of the 2020 school year, I would not have felt comfortable bringing this group of kids to Signal Point and the Julia Fall Overlook. It's a trail with high, exposed bluffs and early on the kids didn't always listen or pay attention very well.

 

As we near the end of the school year, I knew this group could handle it. I knew I could trust them. I knew they wouldn't whine (too much) about the duration or amount of incline we would experience on the trail.

As a mother, and someone who loves the outdoors, I have enjoyed seeing them become more comfortable in the outdoors. I love to see their curiosity as we discover new plants and bugs. I love watching their confidence and skills blossom on the trail.

 

 

I know I sound like a broken record, but trail friends are the best blessing. And getting to share my favorite places with others is icing on the cake for our homeschooling experience.

 

 

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like falling leaves." – John Muir

 

This was my 37th hike for 2021 (37/52). We knocked out 3.5 miles bringing me to 115 miles hiked this year.  

Camping Weekend: Rock Island

Mother's Day weekend was a camping weekend for our crew. This group of friends made 2020 (the year of covid) bearable for our family. Not just bearable – our camping weekends became a place where we could thrive together in spite of the world around us. And that's what we did.

It's 2021 and spring camping has commenced. This is actually our second meet-up of the year – the first being Tims Ford at the end of our trip west. And our time together didn't disappoint. It wasn't perfect, after all we are imperfect people doing life together, but it was good.

We sat around the campfire way too late (as usual). We shared silly inside jokes as well as really serious discussions. Our kids roamed wild forging their way through the woods and creating their own games. We ate delicious food and encouraged each other's kids. 

 

We celebrated another birthday and were treated to delicious breakfast's that we (the moms) didn't have to prepare. We hiked together and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation with each other and with our kids.

We were able to hike the Lollipop Loop down to Twin Falls and along the Caney River with lots of waterfalls. This was our 36th hike for 2021 (36/52). We knocked out 2.5 miles bringing us to 114 miles hiked this year.  

 

We set up outdoor movies for the kids to watch from hammocks, and we took the kids down to the river to fish. It was good weekend.

Before leaving the park, our family made a final pit stop to check out the old buildings next to the Great Falls Gorge including the Box House, Spring Castle and the Old Mill. All of which were there before the dam was built. The mill was eventually abandoned after flooding took out the paddle wheel. It was interesting to read the history about the location. This was our 37th hike for 2021 (37/52). We did a quick 1 mile out and back bringing us to 115 miles miles hiked this year.

Finally, I let Daniel know that the only thing I really wanted for Mother's Day was to not have to cook all day. Breakfast was taken care of at camp, and lunch was a stop at the Rock Island Ice Cream Trolly. This was a hopping place and we had to wait nearly 45 minutes for our treats. Thankfully Daniel and the boys were able to walk across the street to get fresh burgers and tots from the Rock Island Market restaurant. Our burgers were ready before our ice cream so we enjoyed them at the Trolly pavilion. The ice cream was excellent and worth the wait. Once we got home from camp, we unloaded the camper and opted for pizza and a movie. No cooking or dishes for me today, which is all I really wanted :)