Getting Ready For "The Hike"
Jen and I were single professionals that met in our early 30’s. She actually interviewed me for a position that I had applied for at a local medical center. At the time I told myself that if I didn’t get the job, I would ask her out. Either way, it was a win-win, at least in my mind. As luck would have it, I was hired and we shared a little office for almost a year before becoming engaged in 2001 then married shortly thereafter.
We enjoyed a pretty active lifestyle in hiking, rafting, traveling, and just exploring the outdoors. I suppose we were the typical couple. Then in 2005 we started a family. First, a boy, followed by his little sister in 2007. We vowed that it wouldn’t change our lifestyle once kids arrived on scene. But, like many parents, we traded ourselves in. Routine and structure made life easier in some sense but in the process we succumbed to the trap of day to day routines. Those in the choir know. The drying of tears. The cleaning of clothes. And the beat goes on.
If this seems like a dire story it’s not meant to be. We love our life and our kids but had to wake ourselves up to the fact that intentions are great, but they don’t get it done. So with that, last Saturday we purposefully missed the noon naps in exchange for Spokane’s Bowl and Pitcher in nearby Riverside State Park. It was time to break away from our self-imposed exile. And what a break it was.
With the little one on my back, Daisy in tow, my son by my side, and Jen with the camera, we took to the trail to see what we could see. As you might suspect, this wasn’t a 10-mile ascent but a nice walk about. But for my son, whose little legs could barely keep up, it was a huge adventure. Once on the suspension bridge you would have thought we were on a railroad trestle as my son made each hesitant step. Suspension bridges move after all! Once conquered, we left the bridge for the the ridge top which overlooked the Spokane river. As a flock of geese trailed the water’s flow I noticed little eyes full of wonder and excitement look as to what lay
Looking Downstream From The Bridge
in front of us. They really liked this stuff. It took me back to what I used to experience as a kid with my own dad during similar odysseys. It also made me appreciate him even more.
We made the summit on the east side of the river just as the rays of the days sun were lost and a chill came to the air. Even with one minor child emergency, it couldn’t have been better. We made our way down to the parking lot and began the ritualistic loading of the car. Kid out of backpack, kid in car seat, backpack in trunk, dog in car, dog lead in trunk, other kid in car seat, dog out of car, dog back in car, etc. And the beat goes on.
It was dark when we got back home. The kids were cranky, dinner was late, and tubby time had come and gone. But it felt good to be ourselves again, if only for a short while knowing tomorrow would be another day in our parenting adventure. My son still chatters about it every day since, and the little one agrees with approving nods. That’s tells me we’re going to be doing a lot more of this, and its long time. Back in the groove.
To the choir: What’s been your experience? Any hints or tips that you want to share?
