What Kids Learn From a Mom Who Camps

Four years ago my husband found himself in a changing job and needing to spend 4 months in Alaska. Faced with the pressures of daily family life alone, I could have felt overwhelmed. Instead, without hesitation, I determined that I and my 4 boys were going to make the most of it. I packed them all (B was 5, P was 3, and the babies were 9-months) into our van and struck out on a spontaneous 4-month cross-country camping adventure. In that 4 months we stayed in a few hotels, we crashed on some family couches, and we spent 56 days camping. It was the best decision I’ve ever made!

Do You Mean "White" Owl Canyon? (Lake Mead)

What happens when the spontaneity bug bites you on a Thursday afternoon and you know you're going to have do something about it?  You find yourself loading sleeping children in the van at 1AM and striking out on a 6-hr road-trip to southern Nevada, of course!  It happened to us two weeks ago, and we're going to spend this week telling you all about it-starting with an adventure at Lake Mead...

Lake Mead is very well known for boating and that little tiny thing called the Hoover Dam, but we don't own a boat and weren't feeling particularly tourist-y.  Instead we were looking for some really fun hiking.  On our drive down we scoured the internet and finally found a hike promising tunnels and slot canyons.  The description of the hike was great, but the directions to get there were a little hazy.  So, we stopped into the Lake Mead visitor center and had the following conversation...

Me: "We really want to take the kids hiking in a slot canyon."
Old Ranger: "There aren't any of those here.  You need to go to Lake Powell.  They have great ones."
Me: "Oh."
In my head: "You work for Lake Mead, Old Ranger.  How about trying to keep me here."
Me: "I read something about Owl Canyon.  Can you show me how to get there?
Old Ranger: "Never heard of it.  Stand here and wait a really long time and then I'll ask Young Ranger about it."**
Young Ranger: "Where do you want to go?"
Me:  "Owl Canyon, I think."
Young Ranger:  (looooooong pause) "Do you mean White Owl Canyon?"
In My Head: "How many owl canyons do you have?"
Me: "Yes, I suppose so."

And she finally gave me the directions.  But it wasn't over yet...

Old Ranger: "You make sure you're careful out there.  The terrain here can be very difficult."
Me:  "Oh, okay.  We hike in southern Utah all the time, so I think we'll be okay."
Old Ranger: "Your kids.  Make sure they're careful.  The terrain here can be very difficult."
Me: "Oh, okay, they hike in southern Utah all the time, so I think we'll be okay."
Old Ranger: "You make sure..." (repeat 5 times...you get the drift)

This was the first sign that we'd picked the right hike...

Not another soul on the trail.  The next parking area over was jam packed full and of course the simpler well-traveled trail near the visitor center was over-run with people.  But we had Owl Canyon 100% to ourselves the entire day!  The only challenge we faced was figuring out how to drop down into the valley...

B & P scrambled down here...

My husband and I kind of just went over here...

And on the way back up we realized there was an obvious path going down here...

Getting down to the trail was by far the most challenging part. After that, we were on our way...

For more stories from our hike

 and beautiful pictures of White Owl Canyon,

please jump to  "Hiking White Owl Canyon Part 2"...

More Information:
More information on Lake Mead

The White Owl Canyon Trailhead starts at

the 33 Hole Road Parking Area

off the Lake Mead Highway.

Stay to the left as you come to the 

3 parking areas. 

The trail drops down 

at the 2nd shelter house from the left.

The entire trail does make a big loop if you 

don't want to turn around like we did. 

A detailed description can be found here.

**I believe Old Ranger had never heard of White Owl Canyon,
as for some reason it's not listed on the area's official hiking list.

Hiking White Owl Canyon

Miss the 1st part of our spontaneous road-trip to Lake Mead?

Catch up here...

By now you know that:
    1) I'm a slave to spontaneity,
    2)the rangers at the Lake Mead visitor center are moderately helpful, extremely entertaining, &
    3)the hike we chose looked promising...

So, let's get on it!

First, we found the tunnel...

Then, we found the slot canyon...

...and took some time to learn some things...

Learning all about owl poo

We saw a coyote.  We almost lost the kids (more on that coming, I promise).  We fought a little bit. We laughed a lot. And at the end of the day when we asked B & P what their favorite part of the day had been, they shouted at the top of their lungs, "THE HIKING!"  Me, too, boys.  Me, too.

More Information:
More information about Lake Mead

The White Owl Canyon Trailhead starts at

the 33 Hole Road Parking Area

off the Lake Mead Highway.

Stay to the left as you come to the 

3 parking areas. 

The trail drops down 

at the 2nd shelter house from the left.

The entire trail does make a big loop if you 

don't want to turn around like we did. 

A detailed description can be found here.

One caution: There is a LOT of trash and broken glass
along the trail 
before you reach the canyon.  
It is obviously a party hangout.
Especially with kids, be careful-
or turn it into a great service project for them!

Letter to Fellow Traveling Parents

Dear mother and father in the airport who I have to assume are homeless and so need to bring all your material possessions with you,

You are STRESSING me out!  Not because you're physically bothering me in any way, but because I see you bogged down with your deluxe mega-strollers and overstuffed diaper bags and stuffed-to-the-brim luggage for each of your kids and car seats and gear for all 4 seasons and it starts to give me anxiety.

You see, I am a travel minimalist.  The less I bring with me from home, the more I can focus on the exciting new place I'm going.  It doesn't take me an extra half-hour to sort out what I'm checking and what I'm not.  I don't get a headache (well, not much of one) from figuring out how to fold down the pram and jam it through the x-ray machine.  And I don't feel the most stress at the end of the jet bridge because the line is backing up while I figure out how to unload  the same mobile contraption of it's accumulated coats and shoes and snacks and children so I can check it at the gate.  

Please know that I am not judging you.  Every person has to do what makes a situation best for them.  I just wonder if I might be able to suggest something you hadn't thought of before...

Leave it at home!

Or at least check it, please.  I know sometimes you'll need the carseat and stroller on the other end, but if you could make the stress of flying a little easier, wouldn't you want that?  Here are a few of the ways my family makes getting through the airport a breeze...

Carry the Baby:  There is a lot going on in an airport, especially if you have kids in tow.  You need to have your hands free.  Put the baby in your front or back carrier of choice instead of strapping them in a stroller.  Wearing them means never having to worry about where they are, and while you do still have to take them out to go through security, it's a much smaller and less questionable piece of equipment to send through the screening machine. With baby attached, there's no figuring out how to safely leave them in the main flow of traffic while you grab a water and magazine from the cramped gate-side kiosk.  And if you're clever, you can stash your i.d. and boarding pass in next to baby instead of shoving them in your bag and looking frantically for them later.  

Don't Carry Your Kid's Things:  At age 2, B & P started carrying their own backpacks, which they pack (with a little supervision).  If they want it with them, they keep it with them.  Toys or coloring books and sometimes even the snacks go on their backs and they LOVE it!  It's gotten to the point in our house that if they see the backpacks out of the closet they instantly know it means we're going on a trip.  Once we're at the airport, they feel grown-up having their own items to be responsible for.  The adventure starts for them long before we leave the ground as they jump on and off the moving walkways, watch for jets taking off or landing, and try to guess where everyone is going.  

Trust the Airplane Seat:  I have never taken a car seat on the airplane with me.  I honestly don't even know what the requirements and rules are for doing that.  In all my years of flying I have never been on a flight where the turbulence was so bad that the regulation airplane seatbelt would not have been enough to keep my child safe. Knowing that until age 2 most small children ride on their parents' lap with no belt makes me even more confident that the odds are very small something catastrophic is going to happen to throw my older child out of his seat.  And while I'm on the topic of seats, trust the lavatory seat as well.  I was on a 3-hour flight once with a family that took their young son to the bathroom every 15 minutes, carrying his dirty portable potty seat up and down the aisle.  No one in close quarters with recirculated air wants to see and smell that while trapped at 32,000 feet.  

Consolidate, Consolidate, Consolidate:  Flying with children comes with an automatic stigma.  Any person who sits down next to you is going to have a moment of dread and regret as they imagine your unruly kids behaving badly.   If the two hours  in the airport leading up to a flight are full of juggling bags along with those kids, the stress level is going to be close to overflowing.  Why feed into the stereotype by also needing 3 overhead bins to cram in what you could quite possibly have left at home?  If at all possible, I implore you to only bring on the plane, what you're going to need on the plane.  Snacks, diapers, one emergency change of clothes?  Great.  Your Sunday clothes, swim rafts, business ledgers, cooking utensils?  Not going to need them for quite awhile.  And if you can, be considerate of your fellow travelers-keep your bags at your feet; because no matter how good we all know our own kids are, they might actually be a little annoying.  If you can avoid adding to that by not getting up over and over again, it'll only benefit you in the end.  

Please, moms and dads out there traveling beside me, know that I am so happy to see you out exploring the world with your family!  I don't sit in my seat at the gate mocking you or snickering at your method of packing.   But if there's a way to make your next trip to the airport a little less hectic, I hope you'll try it!

What are your tricks for flying stress-free with children?

Cedar Breaks National Monument: An Alternative to Busy Bryce Canyon

Traveling with a Mother's Helper-4 Tips to Get You on Your Way

Someone to entertain the children in the car? An extra set of hands to feed everyone in the morning and get them ready for bed at night? A trustworthy person who understands that vacation stress can be worse than home stress and lets you walk away from it all for 5 minutes, or an hour, or an afternoon without feeling guilty?  We tried it out on our recent trip to Idaho, and may have ruined solo family travel forever!

Think it might be nice to take a mother's helper along on your next vacation?  Here are some tips to consider...

Who Should I Take?
I have been patiently waiting many years for my niece and nephew to be old enough to travel with me.  In part, it excites me to be able to introduce new places and experiences to them, but also, they are people my kids know and are comfortable with.  Taking Grandma and my oldest niece proved to be quite useful on our Idaho vacation. 

Tip #1: 

Look around you for people you and your kids already know: cousins, nieces, nephews, Grandma. 

 They are already familiar with how you parent and how your kids behave.  

No one close to you?  Ask friends, spread the word at church or in your playgroup that you're looking to take a mother's helper on your next excursion.  Explore options for advertising and interviewing local college students. Or, consider hiring someone through reputable services online like Care.com and Urban Sitters. 

What Accommodations Will I Need?
At the bare minimum, planning to take a mother's helper will mean including one extra body at each place you stay.  On our recent trip, with both my niece and my mother along to help, this meant making sure they each had their own bed to sleep. The two of them could have shared a bed, but it was nice for them to have their own space to stretch and relax in at the end of the day.  We were able to make that work by booking hotel suites with pull-out sofas.

Tip #2:

Take into consideration how well you know the person traveling with you, 
and how much privacy each of you may need.

Vacation rentals come in all shapes and sizes.  A hotel room with a pull-out sofa may be enough for you.  For a little more privacy, with minimal additional cost, book a multi-room suite.  Booking two separate hotel rooms opens up many possibilities; let your mother's helper have the second room and nights off completely, or send the kid's with your helper to the second room and enjoy your own rest and relaxation.  Staying in a cabin, or condo, or RV (with a tent outside) will allow similar considerations.

What Are My Expectations?
This may be the most important thing to consider.  On our trip I knew I needed someone to help entertain the kids for 15 hours in the car.  We were going on amusement park rides and water slides, so I needed someone to help watch smaller kids while I went to play with bigger kids.  The added bonus was having extra hands to get pj's on and take shifts at the breakfast bar, or run for food and extra diapers.

Tip #3:

Be upfront about the responsibilities you are handing over to your mother's helper.

There will be nothing more awkward than fighting frustration for days, finally confronting your helper, and finding out they had no idea what they were supposed to be doing.  Does she need to be 100% focused on the baby?  Is her role to make sure the kids are safe while Mom and Dad are swimming in the pool?  Explain whether or not you just need an extra set of eyes and ears, or that you expect her to be in charge of the children.  Will your mother's helper have time to spend on her own, or will she be expected to stay with the family during the entire vacation?  Starting the trip with clear expectations will guarantee much less confusion when the whole family is on the road.

How Will I Be Giving Compensation?
Taking a mother's helper on vacation does not have to mean writing out a paycheck when you get back home.  I presented our Idaho vacation to my niece and my mom as an (almost) free vacation for them.  Their hotels were free, their amusement park and water park tickets were free.  We shared the expense of meals, sometimes buying together and sometimes paying separately. It was a trade-off that worked out perfectly.

Tip #4:

Present the opportunity as a package full of benefits. Then, pay if necessary.

I am not suggesting that mother's helpers do not need to be paid.  But before dismissing the option of taking one, consider how the opportunity might be appealing, even without monetary compensation. It is a chance to go somewhere new and exciting.  Explain if you will be covering admission for the activities.  If some, or all. meals will be taken care of, make sure they know that, too. If it does come down to setting a pay rate, discuss whether or not it will be by the hour or by the day, and what expenses they will be paying on the way.

 Can you see a mother's helper being useful on your next vacation?

Read more about trip to 

Triple Play and Silverwood in Idaho

The Grand Canyon and the Scariest Thing I've Ever Done With My Kids!

I know, I know, the Grand Canyon is one of the epic (translate over-populated with tourists) national parks, and if I espouse the virtues of getting away from the tourist-trap, it seems like a strange park to start off with.  It's precisely for that reason that I'm going to start with it.

Our trip to this most monstrous of geological wonders was completely an act of spontaneity.  We got a call from family two days before they were leaving for there on spring break and without hesitating we dropped what we were doing and started packing our bags.  Having never been to The Grand Canyon before, the 8-hour drive gave me plenty of time to think about what I knew about the park...

• It was big
• A river runs through it
• You can stand at the top and look down into it

That is embarrassing.  Thank goodness we were not there by ourselves, or that is probably all we would still know.  Fortunately, our the family were with was gung-ho to get their money's worth and we gladly went along for the ride...well, the hike.

That's what I can teach you about The Grand Canyon-the only way to truly experience it is to step off the lip and get down in it!  We hiked 3.5 miles of the South Kaibab Trail, but there are several other hikes to choose from.  Any one of them is going to be strenuous and taxing, but one trillion percent worth it.  

For us, the start was a little stop and go.  They were doing trail maintenance, which consisted of a throng of college-aged ranger interns throwing rocks and boulders over the side onto the trail below.  Once we were able to pass them, though, the hiking down got a lot more adventuresome.  And this is where I explain why The Grand Canyon is the scariest thing I've ever done with my kids.

My niece resting precariously close to the edge to watch the action down below

The canyon is STEEP and the drop-offs are HIGH!  I'm used to hiking with my kids, but this poor mama's heart did more than one pitter-patter as we made our way down into this desert hole.  It took awhile, but we finally mastered what we called, "Wall-side, Canyon-side."  At the end of each switchback, the adults and kids craftily traded sides of the trail we were walking.  Doing that tremendously cut down the number of times I found my hand reflexively reaching out to grab at a child's collar.

After mastering that, the 7-mile hike was just long, hard, and a load of fun!  

Passing a mule train

Perched on the top-This rock was literally cradled on top of another ,
which we didn't know until we were hiking further down below.

To sum up the Grand Canyon, yes, it can be packed FULL of people...at the top.  Definitely spend a little time there, and then immerse yourself fully in the landscape that is just below them all.  You'll find a park there that far fewer people have seen!

Have you been to the Grand Canyon?

What's your favorite thing to do there?

More information:

The Grand Canyon National Park website

Looking for an historic adventure while you're there?

Ride the Grand Canyon Railway that boards in Williams, AZ.

It's super cheesy, but gives you a unique perspective 

and keeps you out of traffic 

Please, remember, if you're hiking here to bring PLENTY of water.

The trails are long, and the air is dry.  

You're going to need it.  

And watch for condors!  

My husband and his brother saw one flying 

and ran chasing half-way around the Canyon Rim to watch it land.

A Trip To Albuquerque Is More Than Just Balloon Fiesta

Dragging the family out of bed hours before the sun comes up seems counter-intuitive to the rest and relaxation that vacation is supposed to bring. After a magical early morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a short rest will definitely be in order. The upside to attending an event that is over by noon? There are still plenty of daylight hours to spend exploring in and around a great southwestern city.

If Your Family Likes To Be Outdoors...

Petroglyph National Monument offers an overload of opportunities to view Native American petroglyphs and ancient volcano fields without having to leave the city. Stop first at the visitor center and then choose between one and six trails that you’d like to adventure on. The National Park Service does not charge an entrance fee, but the city of Albuquerque does charge a small parking fee at one of the trailheads.

Sandia Peak Ski & Tramway Take the family to the top of the Sandia Mountain Range by way of aerial tram and then enjoy time together eating and hiking around while looking out over the valley. If your family wants even more adventure, try mountain biking as well. Bike rentals and lift-serve close for summer on Labor Day, but are available again for the duration of Balloon Fiesta.

No petroglyphs were touched in the taking of this picture-but look what he is learning!

If You Prefer Looking Up History...

Take a stroll through Old Town and see elements of the way Albuquerque has looked for nearly 300 years. Adobe buildings with native decor line the streets. You can visit one of New Mexico’s oldest churches, learn about the people who settled New Mexico at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and shop for authentic gifts to take to everyone back home. 

For a real look at New Mexico’s nuclear science history that will capture the attention of everyone in the family, a visit to The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is definitely in order. Exhibits cover everything from the smallest atom all the way up to the atomic bomb. Everywhere you look there are odd tools and gadgets from times past, as well as antiquated weapons, missiles, and even a bomb-shelter to pretend in. The museum includes an interactive children’s area and a large outdoor yard with planes and equipment familiar to anyone who remembers the Nuclear Age.

Have Fun With An Educational Opportunity...

Explora is Albuquerque’s rendition of science center and children’s museum and is as fun for Mom and Dad as it is for their kids. You’ll know you’re close when the kids start pointing excitedly at the colorful domed building. Weaving through the exhibits inside they’ll stay busy with hands-on activities teaching about gravity, sound, air, water, and more. 

Located nearby, The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science takes visitors back in time through ancient New Mexico geology, biology, and cultures. Walk into the time of the dinosaurs and decide for yourselves what caused their extinction. The museum also provides an interesting look at plants and wildlife native to the southwest region of the United States.

For an outing that will cover the interests of every member in the family, check out the ABQ BioPark. Located near the Rio Grande River, the BioPark encompasses the city’s zoo, aquarium, botanical gardens, and outdoor recreation and picnic areas. Take a round-the-world tour while watching land animals and underwater creatures from across the globe. Then do the same while wandering through exotic gardens representing places far, far away. Choose one or all of these attractions to fill your day and be sure to spend time on the riverbank walking or fishing as well. 

Leave Time For Something A Little Quirky...

No visit to Albuquerque should be complete without a stop at the Tinkertown Museum. Go with very low expectations, but definitely go! A culmination of one man’s decades of collecting, items are packed into cluttered displays of oddity and disarray. The path through the museum winds in and out of rooms in a hodge-podge house. The displays originated with the owner’s wood carvings and grew to include miniature dollhouses, circus freak show memorabilia, ragtime music boxes that still play for a quarter, and a once-operable sailboat that has seen many worldly destinations. Go with the guarantee that you will not know what to think when you arrive, and won’t be able to stop talking about it after you leave.

A visit to Albuquerque during Balloon Fiesta can be as fun-filled and adventuresome as you’d like it to be. Greet the sun as it rises and spend the rest of the day exploring whatever way your family likes to do!

Have you been to Albuquerque?

What was your favorite thing to do?

Looking for other things to do with the kids

while you're in New Mexico?

Post contains affiliate links.

What In The World Is A Tent Rock?

The power and creativity of Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me. Living in the American west, it is impossible to deny the landscape-changing ability of the simple elements of wind and water. At Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument a millennium of geologic activity has left behind a panorama of childhood fantasy in immovable hard rock form...

In this instance, volcanoes were the geologic phenomena responsible for these larger-than-life cone-shaped rock formations.  Softer pumice lays protected underneath hard rock caps and makes and while there is a lot of scientific exploration going on there, the tent rocks may really be there just to provide an idyllic hiking background.  

The trail up is quite sandy, starts out wide and then narrows.  There are obstacles to maneuver around (and through).  Start off with a peaceful feeling of patience as there are coves and side turns that kids crawl into and then find themselves transported into other imaginary worlds.  As a parent, how you can we deny them that?  

Eventually the trail does begin to climb and rocky stairs are carved into a series of switchbacks. It does get steeper in elevation, but, again, give yourself plenty of time (and take plenty of water) and you'll make it where you want to go.  

The view from the top is incredible! Looking down over the path you've taken will feel momentous and the fairytale landscape stretching out in front of you will bring a child-like smile to your face.  The trip back down is always easier, but take a moment to look out over this New Mexican vista and appreciate it's diversity.  All too soon you'll be back down in the dry brown and green, but for this moment, let your eyes take in a panoramic treat.  

Visited a place as idyllic and fairy-tale like as the Tent Rocks?  

Tell us about it in a comment below!

More information

The tent rocks are about 1 hour

north of Albuquerque.

Find directions here

The trail does level and widen into a plateau at the top.

There is plenty of room to rest, look around, and marvel.

There is, however, no guard rail, 

so just be mindful of where your children are wandering.

Watch for interesting wildlife along the way-

we spotted an enormous hairy spider in the middle of the road

1/4 mile before we slowly rolled alongside it

White Sands National Monument

Every year in October my family makes a 9-hour trek south for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.  We try to explore at least one other area in New Mexico while we're there and three years ago we drove 3.5 hours further south for a laid back day of fun at...

Grove Creek Trail: We Almost Died That Day

Anywhere along the Wasatch Range in Utah, you can take a few hours or days to hike parts of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail or the more expansive Great Western Trail.  Close to my house there are three very easy access points, the easiest being the Battle Creek Trail, which my kids love because it has a refreshing waterfall.

For years I've been wanting to explore more of these trail systems that pass behind "G" Mountain.  I actually started out one time with a bunch of friends, but quickly decided my sea-level midwest lungs were not ready for such an endeavor.  Since then, though, I've known a couple other people who've camped with their families up there, and I've been waiting for the day I'd be motivated to try it again. The painful and frightening journey we encountered when we finally tried it will not be something I EVER forget!

Here is a reference point to use as we move through the hike today...

What we attempted to do was hike from Grove Creek over to Battle Creek.  We left a car at the Battle Creek trailhead, and drove the mile or so to where we wanted to begin.  In my mind the hike was going to take 6-7 hours.  We would have an uphill climb, but not too bad, on the Grove Creek side, level out into a much-talked-about green meadow, have an easy walk across the back, and even though we'd be tired, the Battle Creek downhill would be a piece of cake.  

It started out okay, wide and gradually climbing...

...then narrowing...

 ...then narrower and rocky...

 ...and HARD!  Instead of the easy climb I was expecting, we quickly found ourselves in the middle of steep and dangerous switchbacks, heading in the opposite direction we wanted to be going...

View of the switchbacks about halfway through them.

It was about this point that people passing by started remarking how brave it was to be hiking with our kids. We're used to hearing that, too many people don't get out and do challenging things as a family.  We didn't realize that this time, they were mostly educated and heeding us a warning.  This is what we were about to come up on...

The already steep and narrow trail changed from packed gravel to extremely loose rock shale on either side as well as right up the middle.  We'd now gone from slightly harrowing hike to white-knuckled parents clenching onto their over-energetic little boys to keep the whole family from sliding down the mountain.

It was also at this point that we started seeing people who had passed us coming back down and passing us again.  We knew there had to be a turn-around point for people not wanting to go all the way, we just never seemed to be getting there! 

This is how we were feeling...

...until, finally, we made it to the waterfall...

...where we could see this view of the valley down below...

...and higher up, a trickling stream... 

Surely this means the trail is going to level out and be smooth sailing from here, right? Uh , NO!  All these years we have been lied to!  There's no leveling out and ease on the backside of this mountain.  What we had not taken into account after our legs were already screaming is that we now had to climb the hidden mountain on the left before eventually summiting the visible mountain on the right and then traversing the rest of the way straight back down.

We tried to keep on going.  After the waterfall, the terrain changed from brown, hot, and rocky to green, cool, and safely packed.  We even ran into a friend on the trail...

Year-old moose

Trying to decide what we should do

 In the end, we just couldn't make it.  B, P, and I collapsed to the ground in the middle of a lush green hill while my husband ran ahead to find out where the blasted meadow was.  20 minutes later he came running back down the trail with a discouraged look upon his face.  This is a man who never quits anything, and doesn't always have the best sense about how far to push the boys.  Even he knew we were beat.  The only thing we had left to do?  Turn around and creep our way back down the death-defying way we'd already come.

It was harder.  Poor P had nothing left in his legs to give.  I carried him as far as I could before my own knees threatened to give out on me, and then somehow my husband managed to get back down the rest of the way with baby on back and P on his shoulders, scrappling through the steep rock shale, heading downhill this time instead.

The last photo before we were too exhausted and frustrated
 to get the camera out anymore.
Trust me, it does NOT represent the way we were feeling by the end of the day!

After nearly 5 hours we were back in the car, all alive, barely.  The next three days were not great as exhaustion brought about weak immunity and a round of family flu.  It's the first thing we've ever done that every person agreed equally was not a good idea and has not paled to some of rose-colored glasses nostalgia.  I'm quite certain it never will.

 So, what is the take away?

•  Don't do this hike with kids.  Nobody told us beforehand, and everyone told us afterwards. 
•  Don't do this hike as your first big trip of summer after sitting around all winter.  Your legs will scream at you!
• Don't do ANY hike without first doing your research.  This was so uncharacteristic of me, but we had absolutely no idea what we were getting ourselves into.  Really simple lesson learned the really really hard way!