C'mon lady, he has short legs.

We had quite a time last weekend at the John James Audubon State Park. It was about a thirty minute drive to our house and we were all itching to get into the woods as soon as we arrived. We hit the nature center first, hoping to get some good advice about a family hike. It was a gorgeous building that was in the process of being decorated for a wedding there later that day.

There was one lady in the nature center that gave us a suggestion to just take the shortest loop after we told her that Griffin could comfortably walk a mile. We should have said a flat mile, or a city mile...regardless, either this lady had never hiked with a 3 yr. old or had never actually walked those trails.
At the start, the park was really beautiful, and very alive with the chorus of birds singing. As we walked, we would stir up large groups of birds that would all take flight in an amazing display of teamwork and organization.

Then came the STEEP uphill climb. The trail was a maze of tree roots and loose stones that made for careful climbing for the moderate hiker. Poor Griffin...he clung to Bruce's hand as he picked and stumbled his way up until Bruce finally put him on his shoulders so we could get to the top. Of course, what goes up, must come down, so we carefully walked down the back side of this hill to what we thought would be the end of our hike....but much to our dismay we only hit the halfway point. We could either come back from whence we came or keep on keeping on up an even steeper hill. We decided to keep going, hoping for a beautiful vista to greet us at the top. Much to my dismay, the top was just the top with nothing but a mysterious HATCH to be discovered. (Only my fellow Losties will get this!)
So, we we headed down again. Although, we promised Griff that this was the end of the hike and that we were "Almost There" and yes, there would be Water and Snacks at the car - that was about when we finally lost him. Put a fork in him, he is DONE!

Poor Bruce had to carry him the rest of the way while I picked the least bone cracking path for us. Overall a challenging hike for Bruce and I that we wouldn't take Griffin back to until he was 10 or so. I learned that sometimes there is not a huge payoff at the top of the hill, just another descent leading to a bigger hill. I need to try to focus more on enjoying the challenge of the journey....very applicable to my life at this moment.