Hiking the G

I made the unwise decision to hike the G (in Pleasant Grove) with some friends.  This was on a Friday morning, so I was hiking with the kids, without Ben, on a hike that was much longer and much more steep than I was expecting.  Thank goodness I had borrowed an Ergo baby carrier from a friend, and Luke was willing to be stuffed into it when he thought his legs were going to fall off. When he wasn't playing the part of a stuffed sausage, he was walking at a baby snail's pace, taking more interest in every single rock and stick on the trail, or telling me that the hike was dangerous, or just complaining that he couldn't walk anymore.  The hike is a mile each way and it took us about 17 hours to complete, give or take.  I wrote in my journal that night, "Remind me never to take the kids on a hike of any distance without Ben again.  Or at least for a few more years."  (I'll have to make a mental distinction between a "walk," when Luke is free to wander and find as many rocks as he wants; and a "hike," which is more rigorous and often destination-driven and can become tedious for everyone else in the family when waiting for a toddler to move his little legs.)

On the positive side, the big kids did great.  They complained a bit here and there, but they walked on their own the whole way and I was really proud of them.  Thank goodness we were with friends because if it wasn't for Helen, I don't know how I would have kept track of the older kids and dealt with Luke (and my own fatigue).  That said, I'm glad we did it.  I was really impressed with how well the older kids completed the hike.  I think it helped to have friends there hiking with them.  But whatever it was, now I know that the kids are capable of doing a hike of a moderate distance and a significant climb.

A rock!  Ooh, and look, there's another one!

Looking down at the valley from the side of the mountain.
Do you see the Mt. Timpanogos Temple on the right-hand side?
I'll give you a clue - it's white and pointy.

We made it!

R&R at the G

Enjoying peanut butter cookies at the G.