A Little Hike

I decided to step out of my norm today. My youngest is away for the weekend with Grammie having a fabulous time the last I heard. My hubby was gone for the day on Saturday so that left me with the two oldest boys.

This morning N had a soccer game. Let me just say that it was cold! Fall has definitely come to Maine but I keep feeling nips of winter in the air too. N had a great time even though his team lost. After that I had to go clean my hubby's Grandmother's house which I do every week.

Typically I would normally spend a Saturday afternoon home. Playing on the computer. Reading. Maybe some chores. Just relaxing and being lazy.

Today I decided to do something a bit different. It's all related to my lifestyle change I'm working on. So I decided to take the boys on a little hike. Nothing major but something to get us outside and moving.

I had planned to take them to hike in to see Moxie Falls. That is located about an hour north of us. We've been there a few times before & the last time I took all the boys we hiked in to see it during spring run-off through about two feet of snow. It was not as fun as it could have been. ;-) I always worry that they'll get too closes & fall & the steps built around the Falls were covered in ice. It was rather stressful for me. However, I thought we could manage if I could keep N from running too much. Hah!

Anyway, while chatting with a friend of mine this morning during soccer she told me about another waterfall that is much closer to our house (only about a 20-30 minute drive) that we have never been to before. I always love discovering new places.

It was an easy place to find and the trail very easy as well. It's mostly downhill to the falls & the falls were amazing. We had the place pretty much to ourselves as well. There was another family there while we were there but they had younger children so we did out pace them.

I took this photo from the stream actually. I stepped out on some rocks to get a good photo but half the falls are hidden behind trees. It was still beautiful. I love waterfalls.


This was a close-up of the falls as we climbed closer. We did take a trail up & over the top of this & followed it for quite a ways. B was starting to complain a bit. I finally gave in & turned around. I wasn't really sure how far the trail would go but it was so pretty.

This was a shot from further up. It was a fun hike actually. There was a lot of up & down even at the top of the falls. Getting back down to the main trail out was a bit tricky. We had climbed almost straight up over lots of roots and such & I didn't want to go back down that way.

I knew it was a good day while N was running back up hill(!!!) to the truck and said it had been a really fun day. Of course, I did comment on the fact that I would like just a smidgen of his energy. I was a bit out of breath after getting back to the trail head but I did well overall. Although, B did remind me that I was old! ;-) Got to love those preteens.

This tree was near the top of the trail. N stopped here on the way back out. He was totally reclined back on the tree. He said he wanted to come back just to hang out on this tree. It was comfy, so he says.

I made the boys pose for me off & on while we walked. I don't think I got one non-goofy smile from B. He just indulges his mom's love of photos these days.

Overall it was a really good. We started out at soccer, went to Grandma's (where they both helped me clean) and then off on the hike. I even managed to get in a short nap this afternoon. A good day.

Maine Style Memorial Day

Every Memorial Day weekend since I was pregnant with my oldest son, my hubby has headed off in to the woods of Maine and going hiking. He likes to climb mountains - for fun. Although he was woefully unprepared and over-packed that first year, the love has continued to grown as have his skills in packing and making that pack nice and light to carry. He is passing this love on to our sons.

This Memorial Day, however, it was suggested by my sister that we all go hiking together as a family. She remembered climbing Borestone Mountain in our youth & thought it would make for a good family hike. I'm just going to say this...my memory of that hike & hers were very different.

B has already been on a number of overnight hikes with Dad. He insisted on carrying his big pack for the day so that he could get ready for some this season.

We arrived at the mountain around 10:30am. By the time we had covered ourselves liberally in bug spray & had our packs on & ready, we headed off, with a cheerful spirit - at that point anyway.

Look at that cheerful spirit!

I should probably say right here & now, in the spirit of full disclosure, that I am not a fan of hiking. I know that the views are awesome at the top, but it's the whole getting to the top that does me in. I know that if I was not overweight, that the "walk" to the top wouldn't be as difficult. I know all that. I still don't like it. And add to the fact that all the black flies are waking up here in Maine and I have to admit that my "cheerful spirit" did not hold out to the top of the mountain.

Unlike me, these boys LOVE to hike!

The first part of the hike isn't all together that bad. It's pretty much a logging road albeit straight up the mountain. About halfway up the mountain is a lake with a nature store there. There is a nominal fee to hike there & you sign in here & pay. We had our boys pose for photos & took a short break. Then the real fun, um, hiking started.

The wide logging road was reduced to a path through the woods that went up & over lots of tree roots and rocks. We soon came across many stone steps. Did I mention we brought all the boys - including our four year old?

J actually did very good. I'll even say this publicly, he did better than I did. I stayed right behind him & daddy was right in front of him. I encouraged him to be a little "mountain goat" & use his hands to climb. He scampered up the steps very well.

Nearer the top it was more technical climbing. We had to lift him up in spots. While going up was hard, my concern was getting back down!

The views from the top. Perhaps my hubby will be kind enough to leave a comment about what the views are of as I just think they are pretty. ;-)

My hubby - king of the mountain.

J taking a little rest at the top.

While getting back down was a tad bit scary - for me - we all did fine. N did slip once near the top & I just about lost it at that point. However, Daddy was right there to stop him. In fact, if you'd like to see a great photo of N at the top, click here as it's on my photo blog.

There was beauty everywhere on the mountain. While my body still seems to be recovering, overall it was fun. However, I did meet my "one-hike-a-year-quota" with this hike so next time Daddy & the boys can go it alone. ;-)

Annual Memorial Day Hike

For the last eleven years, my hubby has gone out on a three day overnight backpacking trip over the Memorial Day weekend. Needless to say he's learned a lot since that first trip. Some times he has one buddy go & sometimes a large group. This year it was just him, our oldest son, a buddy & one of his daughters & then his sister & BIL met up with them for the second day. Photos & captions follow.

The group at the trail head - before they start out.

B halfway up the trail on the first day at the first rest stop.

My SIL giving a thumbs up on the camp site the first (and second) night.

Okay, this one is out of place, but my hubby loves to take photos to show what the campsite area looks like AFTER they are all packed up. No clue anyone has been here - including four tents & all their gear.

Relaxing by the fire.

Hubby's sister & BIL.

Hubby & Abby (his sister's dog)

View of the trail. Keep looking up.

Due to the wet weather we had been having, the decision was made not to continue along the trail on Day #3 (Monday). Instead they headed back to the original campsite on Sunday night & then on Monday they headed over to Moxie Falls & hiked that. Photos of that follow.

The Falls

B & Hubby posing at the Falls.


See that guy standing there?? Thankfully it was NOT my hubby but his buddy. He ended up in the middle of that "stream" on a rock. YIKES! LOL

Hiking Season Begins

My hubby is a very avid hiker. When we moved back to his home town a few years ago he had to put his hobby on hold. In fact last year was the first time he missed his annual Memorial Day Weekend hike. He had done that one for the previous ten years.

Today he & a bunch of friends headed for a local mountain. The entire group who went is pictured below. Our oldest son loves hiking with dad & this was the first time he also took our middle son on a hike of this nature. They both held up very well.

N did a great job on the hike. Here he is sliding down a rock instead of trying to walk it. This was also the first time Annie, the dog, went. She did well also. Of course, Maine is one of the only places where you can hike in May & need a winter hat & mittens.

My hubby. He was attempting to get a shot of one son & a friend on the rock behind him. I like the photo as is anyway. :-)

Snack time. I like how Annie is eyeing the cracker. LOL

Apparently THIS is what makes it all worth it in the end - the view.......