Up early, bags packed with a great picnic we were on the road by eight a.m. Arriving in Shenandoah National Park we were greeted by a cool clear morning and a slight breeze.
Let me jump back a bit and tell you that last year, Papaya LOVED to walk and hike for herself. We own a Kelty Backpack Carrier but from last year’s experiences we chose not to bring it. Hmmmm, bad idea. Papaya wanted to “hold you Mommy, hold you Daddy” (as in: please hold me, now, I really really mean it so I’m using this cute talking pattern that insists that I would hold you if you wanted to be held as badly as I do now) or shoulders for 2.5 of the 3 mile hike.
We hiked to Byrd’s Nest #4, a shelter donated to the park by Senator Byrd of West Virginia. It was a very nice circut hike with a long slow trip up and a steep descent back to the car in the last .25 mile.
The blooming Spring scenery was wonderful - little wild strawberry flowers, purple and white flowers and lots of lichen and moss. Papaya told us each time she saw an airplane fly above and talked about all of the birds we saw in the trees and flying overhead. When we arrived at the Byrd’s Nest shelter we found a nice open field and a picnic table where we enjoyed pita bread, onion hummus, strawberries, clementines and a chicken wrap for Adventure Dad.
Then, as cheesy and poetic as it sounds, Papaya began chasing butterflies in the grass. Little purple ones no larger than a dime, and small monarch butterflies about the size of a quarter. When they would fly away she would yell out “where are you butterflies?” and look very worried.
This is going to be a beautiful summer.
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Let me jump back a bit and tell you that last year, Maya LOVED to walk and hike for herself. We own a Kelty Backpack Carrier but from last year’s experiences we chose not to bring it. Hmmmm, bad idea. Maya wanted to “hold you Mommy, hold you Daddy” (as in: please hold me, now, I really really mean it so I’m using this cute talking pattern that insists that I would hold you if you wanted to be held as badly as I do now) or shoulders for 2.5 of the 3 mile hike.
Yeah, I dread when Xan is Maya’s age and wants us to carry him. He’ll probably weigh as much as I do at that point!
I bet you guys got QUITE a workout on the hike!
Sounds GORGEOUS! What a treat of a day.
D never will walk when I think she will want to, either. I am missing my Ergo that I loaned to a friend (foolishly thinking our b’wearing days were over!).