Enchanted Rock

The kids asked me how I wanted to celebrate Mother's Day, and I told them I wanted to go to Enchanted Rock.  They were thrilled with my selection, and we took off early so that we could hit the trail before there were too many people.  (Sometimes during the peak season- which is now- Enchanted Rock actually closes due to too many visitors.  It's a cool place, but it's also very popular.)

When we pulled into the parking lot, Carsten, my born hiker, said, "This place is sooo AWESOME!"  Everyone agreed.  Nathan and Megan are the only ones who have been before, and the others were very impressed by their first sight of the massive rock.

I packed Austin into the backpack.  He's usually pretty good about tagging along that way.  Steffen, on the other hand, has been a bit of challenge on our hikes.  This time, we had a BIG talk ahead of time.  I impressed the whole "celebrating Mother's Day" thing on him, and then told him we were going to walk all the way to the top with no stopping and no whining.  I wasn't particularly confident about my powers of persuasion, despite the fact that I promised him a snack at the top, so I brought along the front pack, just in case I ended up having to carry both the little guys.

All the kids started off with a will.  There were already a good number of people making their way up.  The great thing about Enchanted Rock is that it's almost impossible to get lost.  You can look up and see exactly where you're going (though it's farther away than it looks) and it's up to you how you get yourself up there.

  

Carsten figured the best way up was, well, up.

Either my conversation with Steffen had its desired effect or he's just gotten older and more willing to hike (crossing my fingers), but whatever it was, he did great!  He kept saying, "I'm doing great.  All the way to the top with no stopping!  I'm fine!  I'm good!"  He was like a hiker and cheerleader all in one.  And even though he took a nose dive into a puddle and had to hike wet, he made it all the way to the top all by himself!  That's a pretty great accomplishment for a three year old.

I handed out the promised snacks at the top, and let Austin out for a bit of running around time.  Every time he tried to take a step though, the steep grade had him wheeling his little arms around for balance.  He decided to stay put and just snack.

Steffen showed off the secret to his great hiking success- Lego Crocs.

And all of the kids enjoyed the stunning scenery.

We walked down in a zig-zag so that I could keep my balance with the backpack, and we passed so many people going up that I was indeed glad that we had gotten there early.

We drove back to San Antonio for lunch at Green before heading back home, where everyone sort of crashed, all worn out from our exciting and happy Mother's Day.

Oh, and thank you, Nathan, for lending your phone for all the picture taking.

McKinney Falls State Park

We may not have much "winter" here in Texas, but, boy, do we have gorgeous weather this time of year!  Sunny, 60s and 70s.  It's weather made for being outdoors.

So, outdoors we went!  I took the kids north to McKinney Falls State Park.  Hiking is difficult with little ones (anyone under 5), but the beautiful day made it worth the effort.

We started out with one of the paved trails, but my little adventurers quickly dismissed that as lame:  too much like "walking in the neighborhood."  Well, we certainly didn't drive 75 miles to walk in the neighborhood!  We turned around and headed for Rock Shelter Trail.

We stopped first at the Falls.  Not much falling going on- too little rain- but really cool rock pools to jump over.  (Click on any picture to expand.)

Everyone carefully read over the sign that could save their lives.  Except Carsten.  He was trusting to good old-fashioned common sense.

The biggest challenge we have with hiking is Steffen.  Unlike Carsten, he is not very enamored with the entire concept.  He stops and sits down on the trail and keeps asking how far it is back to the car.  That means that I have to put him in the backpack.  Austin, at 20 pounds or so, is pretty packable.  Steffen, at 30 plus pounds, is heavy.  Plus, if Steffen's on my back, that means Austin is on my front.  Between the two of them and the gear, I'm lugging an extra 60 pounds.  That makes two hours of hiking feel like a major athletic feat.

But they like it!

And the rock shelters were very impressive.

Even Steffen got to touch the top.

Onion Creek is so pretty.

Carsten was nervous about the bridges, but he mastered them manfully.

Justin went hiking cowboy-style.  (Yes, his feet got sore.  I don't think he'll do that again.)

Being lugged around is hard work.  Austin needed fortification!

The older five would have kept going for a good while after lunch, but the little ones were ready to head back.  It'll be so much fun when they're all old enough to carry themselves on hikes!