Mark and I took Mary Jane hiking in the mountains yesterday. I carried the pack with all the gear for a half-day's hike crossing lunch -- don't forget, this includes the oops-I-fell-down-a-ravine-and-spent-the-night-in-freezing-temperatures gear -- and Mark carried the empty child carrier while MJ walked. We thought she'd tire quickly, but she hiked more than 2 miles, mostly uphill, and remained cheerful.
I used to obsess about bringing healthy, balanced snacks on hiking trips with kids, but I have reformed. My new philosophy is this: Bring stuff they really, really like, and dole it out generously, bribing and rewarding as necessary. A trail mix of peanut M&Ms, little pretzels, and raisins, divided up in tiny portions, is great for Mary Jane. We discovered that a supply of Dum Dum Pops is also useful, not for hiking (with a lollipop in your mouth? And if she drops it in the horse dung you know she'll pick it back up -- not a chance!) but for "Dad and/or Mom have to stop and check the map/treat blisters/take a pee break, and you have to sit still for a minute."
The trail we hiked was mostly dry and sandy, but every once in a while a little rushing rivulet crossed it. Mark and I have boots, of course (I made the mistake of bringing relatively new ones - ouch - more on that later) but MJ had little canvas athletic shoes. Of course we have a contingency plan for wet feet (dry socks and you get to ride in the pack now!) but still, staying dry is better. We came up with a plan whereby MJ would announce, "A river! A river!" and Mark and I would seize her by the hands, count three, and swing her over the little wet stream, with much drama and excitement. It worked wonderfully, she didn't even try to splash, and looked for many yards ahead to spy the next wet spot on the trail.
Until we passed an older couple hiking the other way at the same time we passed a muddy puddle. The lady saw MJ and grinned widely and exclaimed, "Aren't puddles fun?!?" And with that she trod in place in the mud puddle in her waterproof boots. "Splish splash!" she said and went on her way.
We did manage to keep MJ dry after that, but it required just a bit more vigilance. Eventually we had to turn around a bit shy of our goal (see above re: new hiking boots) and at that point we put her in the pack -- she fell asleep in about thirty seconds. Mark packed her out. Along with several former Dum Dum Pop sticks.
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