I have to admit when Carolynn from Small Wonders called to see if I wanted to go hiking while our boys were at a Boy Scout event I hesitated. I wanted to say no. I wanted to come up with an excuse why we “couldn’t”. It would have been easy enough… On the other hand, I have been trying to exercise (in my case walking/running) regularly and find it really hard to be motivated in January. And here was opportunity (or in this case, Carolynn) calling. So I reluctantly said yes.
That’s how we ended up hiking North Lake Whatcom Trail. With a dozen children. In the rain. In January.
Tucker didn’t want to go hiking that morning. He had been feeling a bit under the weather (and even thrown up once, but seemed okay). Apollo wanted to begin the hike on foot, so I packed seven-year-old Tucker into the stroller and let Apollo walk.
This is the very same trail we hiked frequently during the summer. The trail that convinced us we needed to buy our B.O.B Stroller. We are making a real effort to be active individually and as a family. Apollo had been heading down hill physically all summer and had almost no stamina. He would walk a short distance and then be out of breath and need to rest.
Well, my friends, yesterday Apollo hiked over a mile by himself. Over a mile on foot, walking and running! This is nothing short of a miracle. I know because we took this very trail many times over the summer. When we got home he crashed on the couch and napped for hours, but he did it! He is now ten months past his first heart surgery and his breathing has improved markedly in that time. Now if we can just get him eating…
Can you find the hidden Hezekiah?
When Apollo finally did get too tired to walk, the stroller with Tucker (pushed by Tilly) was nowhere in sight. So we took turns carrying him for the next mile and a half until we caught up. Then Tucker was booted out and walked the rest of the trail why Apollo rested contentedly in the stroller.
Sweet, beautiful Jubilee.
Four year old Liberty.
Apollo was fascinated by the water under this bridge and very animatedly described it to me and Carolynn.
Ruby, six years old.
And Carolynn, for the record, I’m so glad I went!
I was suppose to be there that day at ten with the Thames family! We were too scared of the rain though, so I am hoping to do it this week if the clouds ever part. Looks like fun despite the weather.
Give me a call if you’re going to hike it again! It’s so close to our house…
it is so good to see Apollo with smiles on his face…i will never forget the sad look he had for so long.
Praise be to God!
I’m so glad we went too! It was so good to catch up with you and Wonderful to see Apollo doing so well! As always, Beautiful Photos! I guess it helps to have a dozen subjects that are so cute!
Fun! Way to go Apollo!
You are more adventurous than I friend. I am absolutely a fair weather hiker!
Oh how I miss the Northwest! I can just smell the wet ferns and musty dead leaves in the rain. What a sweet day it must have been, with your little guy doing so well. So glad to see you all enjoying the day.
Fun, fun, fun. Gorgeous waterfall. Oh, how I love to hike…or walk…or run…or bike…or skate…or rollerblade…or rock climb…or play b-ball…or tennis…or xfit…:-) That would be a stark difference between us—I am outside every chance I get, no matter what the activity or weather, and active is our middle name 🙂 you guys look great!!