Hiking

 I didn't want this summer to be a situation where we were sitting around the house trying to figure out what to do. I wanted to seize the summer, live it up with the car and take advantage of all the things I've heard about in the city. I didn't want to be restricted by the heat and complaining about it.

 We were invited in June to participate in a 5K for Cystic Fibrosis. It is usually something that I would shy away from because in general I don't do anything physical with other people around. It just makes me more aware of how unfit I am and how fat I am. But we decided we would go for it, it was a good cause, my friend who lives in Manti would be there. It did mean that I had to push the 80lb stroller all by myself....but we did it. That is us up above before we started the walk (which was not at all organized well).

 I also decided that I wanted to hike more. Again, pushing myself and getting the boys out. I lived in Utah for 10 years and I still hadn't done most of the famous hikes around here. On a spontaneous search of Craig's List I found a nice hiking backpack for a decent amount...although I've realized over our hiking that it really strains my neck. Luckily, Aiden is big enough to hike a lot on his own.

This are the pictures from hiking Ensign Peak.....it was hot, and we did not make it to the top....maybe we'll try again in the fall.

Then when we went camping in Logan with my sister and her family, Kyle and I hiked with Heidi, Oliver, and Addison the Wind Caves in Logan Canyon. Kyle hiked the almost 2 miles up with little complaining. Unfortunately, he was tired and the incline on the way down caused him quite a bit of pain in his toes....so Oliver (thank goodness he was there) carried him down and carried Addison in her backpack down as well. 

 

There was quite a sudden drop off at the edge of the cave, neither Heidi nor I went out there. But Oliver took both of the kids.

After that hike, I drove by the trail head to Mt. Olympus. I hiked a mountain once in China. It was rough and I was so nervous about being physically unable. I did make it to the top and back down the next day, which was about 18 miles. I also vowed to never hike a mountain again. But I want to hike Mt. Olympus. I know that it is steep but I think if I train I can do it. I asked my friend, Alyse to do it with me, and Evan even said he has always wanted to do that. So together, we did our first training hike up to Grandeur Peak in Millcreek Canyon.

We did not make it to the top once again, because none of us had enough water. The hike ended up being over a mile longer than we had read about. We also had no idea which peak we were heading to and kept discussing which peak do you think it is. We didn't take the boys with us and hopefully when it isn't July and super hot, we'll hike it again with enough water and make it to the top.

 I really enjoy hiking with Evan. Hiking is hard for me. The views are gorgeous, but it is hard. I have extreme pain in my feet and knees by the time we are done. In fact, after hiking 3+ miles back down, I was in tears because of the pain involved for me. But all I kept thinking about was my home birth---I want to continue to teach my spirit that my body is amazing and was designed to be pushed. What our bodies do are amazing and although I hate the way I look and I am struggling still since the beginning of June with the worst depression I've had since Kyle was born---I can do hard things. My body can do hard things. I can feel strong, just like I gave birth to a 9lb baby without pain pills. I can climb mountains....there will most likely be tears, and I will be slow, sweaty, and dirty...and look ridiculous stopping every 10 feet...I can. I love to accomplish hard things with Evan around in particular. It just makes it easier.

A few weeks ago, the boys and I "hiked" Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon, which has a board walk and you can push a stroller the whole way, so I am not sure if it is really a "hike." We did it with my visiting teachee and her two kids.

I love Silver Lake and think that it is just gorgeous. It is so nice to get the kids out and have them be able to hike too.

Just yesterday, Alyse, Evan, the boys and I hiked Secret Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Luckily for us, because it wasn't shaded, we had a cool breeze. It was a little steeper at the end than I expected. But we made it up. Kyle hiked the whole 1.5-2.0 miles and Aiden hiked 3/4 of the way.

It was so nice and I hope we can go back there some day.

We have also hiked Donut Falls; however, I can't find those pictures. I think they are on Evan's phone. So I'll have to post those later. There will definitely be more hiking soon and I can't wait until it isn't 102 degrees to continue exploring these new and beautiful places.