Wild for the South Hills
The weekend officially starts on Friday, doesn't it?! It totally should. All I know is that by Friday I am ready for school to be done for the week and I am more than ready to rip up the to-do list! Jed happened to have Friday off from school this week, so we really did have a three day weekend. And with Bron taking off for Salt Lake to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday (Whoa, press the brakes for a second to let that sink in: we are old enough to associate with 40 year olds and not bat an eye. Does this make us middle-aged?! Gasp!) I was left to my own devices for entertainment.
I learned something valuable this weekend: little boys are wild and they are best left in their natural habitat: the wild. Let me explain. On Friday afternoon, I took Jed and Levi to see the new Peanuts movie in the theater. The big screen! Popcorn! Candy! It was a super cute show. However, as we exited the theater, Levi would not quit crying about how he wanted more sour patch kids. Way to ruin a good outing, kid. Then we spent an incredibly stressful half hour grocery shopping. Never. Again.
So today we switched things up and headed in the opposite direction towards the South Hills. We drove up the canyon to a campground called Steer Basin, a place I've been wanting to explore. It did not disappoint. The sunshine made 55 degrees feel balmy! We ate a picnic lunch, hiked around, and played alongside the creek throwing rocks and leaves and pretending to fish. No one fought or complained; they were too preoccupied with mother nature. It was one of those happy days that felt like a dream. "This is my reality?" I pinched myself as I held Levi's small hand in mine. "This is a piece of paradise. I am so stinking lucky." And I have a feeling that Jed and Levi felt the same way. They kept saying things like, "This is the best day ever!" and "I really really like you, Mama." Melt my heart into a puddle. I wish I could hold on to this day and relive some of its precious moments over and over. I think we'll just have to come back again.
See the snow up there? Full disclosure: When Jed and Levi saw snow in the peaks, they insisted we go play in it. So we drove all the way up to Eagle Trail where there was several inches of the white stuff! We got out, stomped around for a few minutes, and then climbed back into the warm car. Haha. I didn't bring their snow gear; I knew it would be short-lived.
^^Leaf and stick racing.^^
^^Scooting across the bridge. Jed said he caught me a purple fish to eat!^^
^^More fishing.^^
^^Trying (and failing) with all his might to break that stick.^^
^^Helping Levi up onto the rock.^^
^^Laughing because he was hiding from me! Nothing beats that kid's genuine smile.^^
That place does look amazing!
ReplyDeleteSomething so invigorating and peaceful about being in the hills. You are such a cute momma! And I know what you mean about associating with 40 years olds... gets scary when you think about it!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you love it there! So beautiful. The desert has it's own kind of beauty, but I grew up in a forest so it's just not quite the same.
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