too darn long!
I was determined to take a walk this morning, though I had hoped to go for an outing with Celi, Myla ended up sick and it was just poor timing for a walk with the boys' feeding time approaching. So, I figured I'd do a walk with the kids in the stroller. When I mentioned such to Sorsha she looked at me and said. "I prefer a hike." (yes, just like that!)
I have really been wanting to hike again...Why'd you go and move away on my Bobbi? I miss it sooo very much but have not found someone who equally wants to be out on the trails as me. Celi and I talk about it a lot but it just hasn't happened. Either one of the five kids are sick or one of us or its raining, etc. etc. My kids are both well this week, but alas, Myla is sick.
I was bummed, then I started thinking. *what's* the difference between me pushing the stroller around our neighborhood by myself and pushing it along Gabrielino Trail by myself. There's cell reception there, its paved most of the way, only about a 15 minute drive away; there's ALWAYS people running, biking, etc. along that trail too. So I did it. I got the stroller and kids in the van and drove to JPL to do my walk there.
It was soooo very beautiful. A perfect day for walking/hiking. The breeze was nice, the weather comfortable, but the best part was the NATURE. The sound of birds chirping, the creak flowing, wind trustling the bushes and trees. The smell of nature...trees, dust, the smell of the stream with its flowing water. And the beautiful sights. Trees, rocks, a creek, even poison oak. There really is a ZEN to exercizing in nature as opposed to along city streets. So good for my overall health, not just the value of getting out and moving, but the mental aspect of it.
The kids got so much out of it this morning too. I took their water shoes and a change of clothes for each, which allowed them to play in the creek for a short bit before I turned around to head back to the car. This was Soren's first time in watershoes and first time he could truly PLAY in a creek (last time I took them to a creek he was just barely walking and fell asleep in the backpack so didn't get to experience it). And while typically on my walks Sorsha reads her books and plays with her magnet toy, oblivious to the "scenery" passing by...this time she neer even requested a book. Was THRILLED to look at the mountains, trees, rocks, talk about them and had the reward of playing in the water. Who needs books when you've got nature surrounding you?
I am soooo glad I did it this morning and I intend to do it regularly. No more using the excuse of not having someone to go with me. I still wont be able to hit some of my FAVORITE spots as they are further into nature and my hubby just isn' comfy with me being out in the middle of nowhere with both kids and no cell reception. I understand this and respect it. There are MANY places I CAN go that are perfectly safe, stroller accessible and will give me the nature fix I so crave without relying on someone going with me. Plus, as the kids are both getting bigger, Its a LOT easier to get out and about with both of them. No More nursing Soren, Sorsha can walk most of the way when she's in the mood for it and the benefits for the kids as well are boundless.
I'm sad that I let myself get out of the practice of regularly going to nature spots right here in out backyard and especially sad that I haven't been making it a priority like I used to. Here's to changing that!
I have really been wanting to hike again...Why'd you go and move away on my Bobbi? I miss it sooo very much but have not found someone who equally wants to be out on the trails as me. Celi and I talk about it a lot but it just hasn't happened. Either one of the five kids are sick or one of us or its raining, etc. etc. My kids are both well this week, but alas, Myla is sick.
I was bummed, then I started thinking. *what's* the difference between me pushing the stroller around our neighborhood by myself and pushing it along Gabrielino Trail by myself. There's cell reception there, its paved most of the way, only about a 15 minute drive away; there's ALWAYS people running, biking, etc. along that trail too. So I did it. I got the stroller and kids in the van and drove to JPL to do my walk there.
It was soooo very beautiful. A perfect day for walking/hiking. The breeze was nice, the weather comfortable, but the best part was the NATURE. The sound of birds chirping, the creak flowing, wind trustling the bushes and trees. The smell of nature...trees, dust, the smell of the stream with its flowing water. And the beautiful sights. Trees, rocks, a creek, even poison oak. There really is a ZEN to exercizing in nature as opposed to along city streets. So good for my overall health, not just the value of getting out and moving, but the mental aspect of it.
The kids got so much out of it this morning too. I took their water shoes and a change of clothes for each, which allowed them to play in the creek for a short bit before I turned around to head back to the car. This was Soren's first time in watershoes and first time he could truly PLAY in a creek (last time I took them to a creek he was just barely walking and fell asleep in the backpack so didn't get to experience it). And while typically on my walks Sorsha reads her books and plays with her magnet toy, oblivious to the "scenery" passing by...this time she neer even requested a book. Was THRILLED to look at the mountains, trees, rocks, talk about them and had the reward of playing in the water. Who needs books when you've got nature surrounding you?
I am soooo glad I did it this morning and I intend to do it regularly. No more using the excuse of not having someone to go with me. I still wont be able to hit some of my FAVORITE spots as they are further into nature and my hubby just isn' comfy with me being out in the middle of nowhere with both kids and no cell reception. I understand this and respect it. There are MANY places I CAN go that are perfectly safe, stroller accessible and will give me the nature fix I so crave without relying on someone going with me. Plus, as the kids are both getting bigger, Its a LOT easier to get out and about with both of them. No More nursing Soren, Sorsha can walk most of the way when she's in the mood for it and the benefits for the kids as well are boundless.
I'm sad that I let myself get out of the practice of regularly going to nature spots right here in out backyard and especially sad that I haven't been making it a priority like I used to. Here's to changing that!