Hey Bob,
Very enjoyable read. Nice and humorous. I think it is awesome that there are so many parents like yourself getting their kids involved in hiking and climbing at an early age. I hope he sticks with it, and if he does I'm sure you'll have a load of great adventures together.
Thanks, Mark. I hope he sticks with it, too; it will be hard for me to sit back and be patient and let him make up his own mind, but I know I have to do that. With luck, there will be many more outings like this before Jack's old man gets too old!
Great read, Bob - I'm really looking forward to the time when my kids get old enough to do this kind of stuff with me! My girl got her first summit right around her second birthday, and was super excited about seeing the rattlesnake, the stinkbugs, and the "waterfalls," which are also known as rivers or creeks. She's 2.5 now, and she always asks to go with me when I'm leaving for a long, hard hike with the most hopeful look on her face - it kills me when I have to tell her no!
Tim, if you have ever told me you have kids, I must have forgotten; you've mentioned your wife a number of times, but I just don't remember mention of the kids. That cracks me up about the "waterfalls"; my daughter is just three months younger than yours, and when we took her on a recent hike in Shenandoah along a stream, every slight drop in the stream was a waterfall to her. The other day, I took her and Jack to the real thing, though, although she's seen Great Falls close to home many times now; still, a mountain waterfall is just different.
Enjoy these days with your daughter. I don't know what it is, but mine has plowed a road straight into my heart and is trying to wrap me around her little finger. Even my wife shakes her head and mutters something about "Daddy's little girl." Well, she is, and I bet your little girl has done the same to you.
Yeah, we have one daughter with another one (boy/girl - don't know yet) on the way in about a month. You're right - mine has had me completely wrapped up for a while! She was disappointed that first summit hike because there were no "waterfalls" in the McCullough Peaks, so I took her to see the Willwood Dam near the badlands entrance, and that satisfied her...
Isn't water just the greatest thing with kids? We have a creek near our house, and sometimes I take Jack and Caroline on a walk there. They have a great old time throwing rocks, digging in the mud with sticks, and splashing around; all the while, I sit in a sunny spot and enjoy the day.
Well, best of luck with the new one! I never look forward to those first few months, but then it starts getting a lot better!
Thanks for the info on chief Joseph, too; I'll update the page. I've always seen in road atlases that the road closes in winter, but it's better to have information from those that actually live there!
To paraphrase Seuss, oh the places you will go, oh the fun you will have! Kids love doing what their parents love and I can tell you from personal experience that it only gets better as they grow older! My husband doesn't camp so he did the sports thing but that gave me a chance to spend lots of time with my teenage son. How many moms can say they canoed 77 miles with their son (and lived to say they enjoyed every minute!)
That's great that you did all that, Kathy. Wow-- 77 miles with the kid; I hope that was when he was a little older! I plan to do the sports, the mountains, the rafting, and all that other good outdoor stuff with mine and am off to a running start. It's great fun and great bonding, and it helps me stay young at heart.
Thank you very much for reading this and for your thoughtful comments, Kathy.
And hey-- it's getting close to kayak time for me at Great Falls!
Yes, he was 16. I was the second adult with a group of older Scouts and it was a great but challenging 9 day canoeing trip along two huge lakes and the St. Croix River, Maine/Canadian border. Tim later went on to earn his Eagle and to use this experience in one of his college applications (minus mentioning me). Another bonus was riding in the car with him and his friends on these trips - lots of interesting conversations!
Be sure to post your kayaking pics - I enjoy the local stuff!
We were in Valley of Fire in April this year too - spring break was in full force. One of the things I really enjoyed about being there was seeing all the kids scramble around on the rocks. I grew up in flat, flat Texas so I missed out on that kind of experience. Your kids are lucky you're getting them out.
Thanks, Lisa. Jack and I did have a good time, and I look forward to more times like this past one. Your comment reminded me, by the way, to attach your White Domes album to the White Domes page. That album was part of the reason we chose to go to White Domes!
It is nice to know my album influenced you. By the way, I got a trail guide to Valley of Fire while we were there last time. I think there are some interesting hikes/scrambles for our next visit, which there will be. My sister's new house is less than an hour from the park... :)
Awesome trip! Solid TR, too. Remember, when on a father-son trip with uncles present, there is no such thing as "reckless". ;) I've been hiking for as long as I can remember and I'm better off because of it. Keep hiking, Jack.
Jack's a little too busy playing with his trains and being mean to his sister to respond right now, but I'll share your comments with him, and thanks for reading!
I don't know if he's the youngest member, but I guess he's pretty close in any event. He's certainly a long way from all those 88-year-olds we have here...
MarkDidier - Apr 22, 2009 2:58 pm - Voted 10/10
Way to go Jack!Hey Bob,
Very enjoyable read. Nice and humorous. I think it is awesome that there are so many parents like yourself getting their kids involved in hiking and climbing at an early age. I hope he sticks with it, and if he does I'm sure you'll have a load of great adventures together.
Regards,
Mark
Bob Sihler - Apr 22, 2009 11:25 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Way to go Jack!Thanks, Mark. I hope he sticks with it, too; it will be hard for me to sit back and be patient and let him make up his own mind, but I know I have to do that. With luck, there will be many more outings like this before Jack's old man gets too old!
musicman82 - Apr 22, 2009 9:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Fantastic!Great read, Bob - I'm really looking forward to the time when my kids get old enough to do this kind of stuff with me! My girl got her first summit right around her second birthday, and was super excited about seeing the rattlesnake, the stinkbugs, and the "waterfalls," which are also known as rivers or creeks. She's 2.5 now, and she always asks to go with me when I'm leaving for a long, hard hike with the most hopeful look on her face - it kills me when I have to tell her no!
Bob Sihler - Apr 22, 2009 11:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Fantastic!Tim, if you have ever told me you have kids, I must have forgotten; you've mentioned your wife a number of times, but I just don't remember mention of the kids. That cracks me up about the "waterfalls"; my daughter is just three months younger than yours, and when we took her on a recent hike in Shenandoah along a stream, every slight drop in the stream was a waterfall to her. The other day, I took her and Jack to the real thing, though, although she's seen Great Falls close to home many times now; still, a mountain waterfall is just different.
Enjoy these days with your daughter. I don't know what it is, but mine has plowed a road straight into my heart and is trying to wrap me around her little finger. Even my wife shakes her head and mutters something about "Daddy's little girl." Well, she is, and I bet your little girl has done the same to you.
musicman82 - Apr 23, 2009 12:21 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Fantastic!Yeah, we have one daughter with another one (boy/girl - don't know yet) on the way in about a month. You're right - mine has had me completely wrapped up for a while! She was disappointed that first summit hike because there were no "waterfalls" in the McCullough Peaks, so I took her to see the Willwood Dam near the badlands entrance, and that satisfied her...
Bob Sihler - Apr 24, 2009 9:59 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Fantastic!Isn't water just the greatest thing with kids? We have a creek near our house, and sometimes I take Jack and Caroline on a walk there. They have a great old time throwing rocks, digging in the mud with sticks, and splashing around; all the while, I sit in a sunny spot and enjoy the day.
Well, best of luck with the new one! I never look forward to those first few months, but then it starts getting a lot better!
Thanks for the info on chief Joseph, too; I'll update the page. I've always seen in road atlases that the road closes in winter, but it's better to have information from those that actually live there!
silversummit - Apr 22, 2009 10:31 pm - Voted 10/10
Yeah Bob!To paraphrase Seuss, oh the places you will go, oh the fun you will have! Kids love doing what their parents love and I can tell you from personal experience that it only gets better as they grow older! My husband doesn't camp so he did the sports thing but that gave me a chance to spend lots of time with my teenage son. How many moms can say they canoed 77 miles with their son (and lived to say they enjoyed every minute!)
Great pics and report!
Kathy
Bob Sihler - Apr 22, 2009 11:35 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Yeah Bob!That's great that you did all that, Kathy. Wow-- 77 miles with the kid; I hope that was when he was a little older! I plan to do the sports, the mountains, the rafting, and all that other good outdoor stuff with mine and am off to a running start. It's great fun and great bonding, and it helps me stay young at heart.
Thank you very much for reading this and for your thoughtful comments, Kathy.
And hey-- it's getting close to kayak time for me at Great Falls!
silversummit - Apr 23, 2009 7:23 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Yeah Bob!Yes, he was 16. I was the second adult with a group of older Scouts and it was a great but challenging 9 day canoeing trip along two huge lakes and the St. Croix River, Maine/Canadian border. Tim later went on to earn his Eagle and to use this experience in one of his college applications (minus mentioning me). Another bonus was riding in the car with him and his friends on these trips - lots of interesting conversations!
Be sure to post your kayaking pics - I enjoy the local stuff!
lisae - Apr 24, 2009 5:05 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice report!We were in Valley of Fire in April this year too - spring break was in full force. One of the things I really enjoyed about being there was seeing all the kids scramble around on the rocks. I grew up in flat, flat Texas so I missed out on that kind of experience. Your kids are lucky you're getting them out.
Bob Sihler - Apr 24, 2009 10:11 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice report!Thanks, Lisa. Jack and I did have a good time, and I look forward to more times like this past one. Your comment reminded me, by the way, to attach your White Domes album to the White Domes page. That album was part of the reason we chose to go to White Domes!
lisae - Apr 24, 2009 10:21 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Nice report!It is nice to know my album influenced you. By the way, I got a trail guide to Valley of Fire while we were there last time. I think there are some interesting hikes/scrambles for our next visit, which there will be. My sister's new house is less than an hour from the park... :)
MoapaPk - Apr 26, 2009 10:16 pm - Voted 10/10
your best contributionthe pictures are great.
Bob Sihler - Apr 27, 2009 1:34 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: your best contributionThank you. I look forward to many more outings like this as my kids grow up.
woodsxc - Apr 29, 2009 7:29 pm - Voted 10/10
Props Jack!Awesome trip! Solid TR, too. Remember, when on a father-son trip with uncles present, there is no such thing as "reckless". ;) I've been hiking for as long as I can remember and I'm better off because of it. Keep hiking, Jack.
BTW, is Jack the youngest SP member?
Bob Sihler - Apr 30, 2009 1:23 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Props Jack!Jack's a little too busy playing with his trains and being mean to his sister to respond right now, but I'll share your comments with him, and thanks for reading!
I don't know if he's the youngest member, but I guess he's pretty close in any event. He's certainly a long way from all those 88-year-olds we have here...