Family Hike

Nothing is better than hiking with family!  And I think the key to a fantastic family hike is to take one that all members of the family can enjoy.  There are so many different types of hikes- you can do large mountains like the ADK, you can walk up wider man-made hiking trails (such as Hubbard Park or the easy path up Sleeping Giant), you can drive up to the top of the mountain and walk around (less recommended but still counts) or you can even take a nice easy stroll through some very picturesque fields!

Our family hike in Vermont last weekend

I absolutely loved the hike we took with my in-laws. I am so grateful and happy that we have such an active family that has a common interest in nature we can all share.  It was my favorite part of the whole trip (and we stopped at a cheese store).

Frolicking in the fields

We were on a mini-vacation and looking for something fun to do in Manchester, VT.  Normally, we might head downtown, but that day we were feeling a little more adventurous!  This trail was recommended to us by a family friend.  We started on a beautiful grassy path that took us into the woods.

Part of the reason I love my family is because they aren't afraid to explore- or even get a little beaten up- in order to have fun!  There was a good portion of the hike where we all attempted to climb the trees.  Branches are not quite forgiving when you scrape up against them- but it was the most fun I've had in awhile!  Plus we had battle scars to compare later.

 And the wildlife! It was fantastic to watch.  Mostly we saw chipmunks and birds- but there were all different kinds.  AJ had plenty to practice his master-photographer skills on.  We almost got a picture of this chipmunk!

The chipmunks in VT are monster-sized- not as skittish as the ones back home. And everywhere.

When we made it through the trail in the woods we came to a clearing where there was a floating bridge built over a marsh.  We saw a snake here, which had me a little jittery, but it slithered away the moment there was movement on the dock.

There were lily-pads all along the bridge, and tall plants growing out of the marsh.  We spent quite a while here, as there were so many birds- and a beautiful view of the mountain.

 One of AJ's favorites from the day

The afternoon sported some fantastic weather as well- with light puffy clouds and low humidity.  You can't beat those conditions.  Blog entries like these really help me to reflect on how lucky of a person I really am- and how thankful I am to be able to wake up and see the world as I do.  I remember being in elementary school and asked what my favorite sound was. I proudly exclaimed "WATER RUNNING OVER ROCKS!"  How grateful I am that I've been able to keep that piece of my childhood alive.

This may get repetitive- but I love being able to share this with people- so if you have the slightest interest in spending the day out in nature, let me know and we'll make a day of it (or an afternoon, or an entire weekend).