Sunday, October 7, 2007

Nana Week, Day 2 - Mt. Monadnock

Today was a blast! We spent the morning playing around the house. After lunch the kids were all getting a little stir-crazy, so we decided to head out to Mt. Monadnock. We stopped at the park store so Penny could get a NH birding guide, and then went up one of the hiking trails. The kids all did really well with the trail, which was pretty steep and rocky in places.



Darius hitched a ride much of the way...


and Taye liked to run ahead of everyone - way, way ahead!


Walking sticks were wildly popular (and, quite honestly very effective at slowing Taye down!)



(This was Emma's face when we mentioned it was time to get in the car to leave).


We hiked up for about 45 minutes before we decided to turn back around (they say the hike to the top typically takes 3 1/2 hours for beginners, so we knew we wouldn't be making it to the top anyway). The trip down proved more challenging than the way up. There were a few breaks, and a lot more carrying.


Progress was slower, but that gave us more time to enjoy the sights along the way. Penny was able to see some birds (though sadly not the purple somethingorother - she said she'd do a cartwheel if she sees one of them!)


Darius is a huge fan of collecting leaves, which he often drops as he insists on holding them by the stem. He will either stop immediately to pick up a new leaf, or if he is being held, he will reach down and say "get it!" Thats his new favorite phrase, and it is very cute.


Near the foot of the mountain the path levels out, so Taye and Emma felt free to run ahead.


We found a nice spot to stop and take a break. The kids did a lot of exploring and playing.


We attempted to get a group shot, but a certain someone would not stay still.

We decided to go to a lake up the street that the ranger had told us about, so we told the kids and they were happy to leave and go to "another place."

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