...pressing on...yes, this hymn definitely played on repeat in my mind during our most recent hiking adventure last week. Well, at least it did when my mind wasn't singing, "Climb Every Mountain, Ford every stream..." because there was definitely climbing and fording
occurring on our hike as well.
Most of you are probably aware that the Peterson People are very fond of hikes. We jump at every chance to get our little people into the fresh air and following nature's pathways through beautiful Western Washington terrain. We've exercised utmost caution when choosing our hiking trails, carefully considering
mileage and
elevation gain, thinking of our small people and one in particular who, last year, was known to lay down in the middle of the hiking path
uttering a breathless "I'm done."
So on our first hike of the season to Heather Lake we hoped the kids would be able to finish the 4 miles (round trip). They made it easily and made us proud. Still wanting to start off our hiking season slow we chose another 4 mile hike for the next hiking trip. However, what started off as 4 miles and 800 foot elevation gain, turned into a grueling 8.2 miles and 2800 foot elevation gain. And all four of us lived to tell about it...barely!
Here's our story (It's a little long, but bare with us!):
"Follow me to Bridal Veil Falls!" (Me smiling right before I turned around and missed a step nearly plummeting four feet into the creek below)
After last weekend's hike, which ending in deep snow, we weren't too surprised to see this snow bank. It was actually about 12 feet across and was a little tricky for us to maneuver. But the Peterson People pressed onward and upward...
And here was what we came to see - Bridal Veil Falls! It was really beautiful and really wet. The kids didn't appreciate the spray from the water!
Levi and dad give the falls a thumbs up!
So hiking the two miles to the falls was a cake walk. And honestly, though the falls were beautiful, it was a little bit of a let down to be done already. So after lunch we hiked a half mile back to a sign we'd seen on the way up that said "Lake Serene 2 miles." Two more miles? That's nothing we thought..."TO THE LAKE" we proclaimed! Here's us, now below the falls! I'm forcing my kids to pose with me even though they wanted to play!
The Peterson People! We'd like to thank the happy hiker who took this picture! Note: Leah is wearing Converse...who knew those were hiking shoes?!?
This hike, as we mentioned, was not without obstacles. The kids and Ken had to hold up this tree for hikers to pass!
Okay, so the next few pics will help illustrate what the Peterson People actually got themselves into when they committed to the 2 miles to Lake Serene. The 2 miles were pretty much straight up the mountain and contained a grueling 23 switchbacks and numerous flights of stairs through rocky terrain. The elevation gain for the 2 miles was around 2400 ft. Let's just say we didn't pass any other children, save one, on this hike and our children were actually worshipped by passing hikers who couldn't believe their eyes when they saw how happily our children were bounding up the rocky mountain.
The two pictures below nicely show what the terrain looks like...rocks, mud, waterfalls, you name it!
And, of course, there was snow! But after Heather Lake...we should have just known!
And, at last, we reached Lake Serene which, of course, was covered with more snow. Levi made this face when I said, "No, you may not walk out onto the lake" or something like that.
Both of the kids were still in great condition at the top. Leah's only real problems along the hike involved us not allowing her to run ahead. Us old people really slowed her down! ; )
Lake Serene was beautiful and very serene!
We don't have many pictures on our way down the mountain because, well, we were a little beyond picture-taking at that point. You know, seven hours of hiking wore us out just a little!
This hike was, by far, one of the coolest things we've ever done as a family and really opened our eyes to just how much are kids are capable of. I never felt prouder than I did this week when I mentioned the hike to two male coworkers of mine who are very avid hikers and their jaws dropped to the floor when I said my kids did the hike. They were very impressed and I just smiled and said, "yep, my kids are troopers." (The casual, non-bragging way of saying LEAH AND LEVI ROCK!") Thanks for sticking with our story and letting us brag a little about our kids!
Then we added Levi who also had his last day of preschool today!
This is Levi and Teacher Jo, his fabulous preschool teacher. We are also so proud of Levi this year! From learning to write his name with perfection to counting, counting and more counting, he's come so far. His wonderful sense of humor really won the hearts of his teachers who proclaim that he had them laughing to tears more than once! (We're still trying to decide if that's a good thing!)
Here's Leah and I on our first day of school this year! When I think about Leah's growth as a student and my growth as a teacher this year, I am amazed. Last year by mid-August I wasn't even sure I was going to have a job this year. On August 19th I was hired to teach 4th grade to my entire class from student teaching. I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity as I had really prayed for the Lord's best arrangement for me. I had a truly amazing year - thank you Lord!
