I've realized I can no longer call this the Man Hike. Our boys (and their cousins) are certainly on their way to becoming men, and no doubt will be amazing men someday, but I don't think the title fits quite yet. Family High Adventure is probably more appropriate I guess.
To help make sure I did a suitable job with this very important post, Kevin asked the guys to send notes of their experience. I've tried to piece it all together (and in quick fashion), and here's what I've come up with ...
(note: "Ryan" is Ryan Gee, and "RG" is Ryan Gardner)
Day One: Hiking In
Hour into hike Ken (Papa D) got groin cramps! Ugh, no fun.Ryan stayed behind with him while the rest of the group proceeded to Huckleberry Creek.
While the group ate lunch at the creek, Kevin went back and discovered that Ken could not go on. Came back with Ryan.
All the boys were unbelievable, practically running uphill on the hardest part of the mountain trek even with heavy packs!!
Pretty much everyone got stung by bees:).
After 9 total hours of Kevin telling everyone "we're almost there" and "just around the corner", the group finally arrived!
Unbelievable view from tents and hammocks.
The lake was like a perfect mirror reflecting the landscape surroundings.
Day Two: Fishing!
Day two was a day by the lake, mostly fishing.
Fishing was great and the boys loved it too--although, some seemed to enjoy the casting more than the actual fishing;).
The float tubes were fun and handy (waders, fins, and all).
The weather was so GOOD (couldn't ask for better) and when the boys weren't fishing they were swimming in the cold cold water or shooting pebbles into the water with a sling shot.
Ended up with 5 big fish to enjoy for a late lunch, which everyone thought was pretty awesome. Starting a fire with wet wood was a little tricky (in fact, won't say how the fire was finally started since what happens at Mildred stays at Mildred!).
Never seen kids so hungry.
Once the fish were cooked they were like bears feasting on those fish.
Nothing was left!
Some would literally steal the fish right off your fork as you were lifting it into your mouth!
Finished the meal with hot chocolate. Nice!
Day Three: "Mini" Hike
Kevin, RG, and most of the boys decided to hike around the lake.
Easy at first, but turned out to be really hard after about half way.
Had to crawl over/under/through a whole section of forest that was wiped out by a huge landslide!! Learned what it was to be real men.
Brooks got kicked in the face and then fell into a wasp nest (getting a sting on the lip).
RG got stung 5 times!
Jake fell back on a stick and cut his butt!
Crazy James hiked the whole way in flip flops.
The boys found a huge wood raft and McDonald's flag which they thought was kinda cool.
The hike was mentally tough on everyone (kids were crying and frustrated part of the time)
10 minutes after returning to camp, they all loved the whole thing--or at least the memory of it;).
Later that day everyone played Forest Putt Putt Golf--complete with a hole-in-one from Kevin.
Enjoyed a sling shot competition, won by Brooks--the youngest of the group!
Everyone enjoyed more hot chocolate (kinda a staple while out camping, especially in the cool NW).
Spent the late evening (after the sunset) star-gazing out on the rocks with pillows.
Pondered God’s vast creations and all the infinite worlds!
Uncle RG used his awesome green laser pointer to hone in on specific stars and constellations.
It was awesome!
Day Four: Hiking Out!
Rained all night--thought it was going to be a bad exit.
Porter Dr. did a polar bear dip (butt naked) to retrieve a package of bacon package.
Learned the hard way to "leave no trace behind". Ha!
All cheered him on.
He swam like an Olympic swimmer (ironic considering we were in the Olympic Mtn. Range;).
4 hour hike out from Lake Mildred!
Didn't fuel properly at the beginning with a good breakfast.
Some of the boys were hungry and fatigued.
Tested mental endurance AGAIN!
Grew hair on our chests…and maybe a little on our backs;).
Boys did incredibly well, especially considering how hard this hike was from beginning to end!
Lessons Learned:
When the going gets tough the tough gets going
Don't let jake get HUNGRY!
Fuel properly as you are burning a lot of energy even downhill
Hard work pays off...totally worth every step!
The farther you go in enduring the journey, the more reward at the end. We could have stopped at the first lake, like most hikers, and completely missed the views and spectacular campsites just over the hill at the next lake. So, don’t quit too early…just endure a bit longer!
Bring more 5 hour energy;)
We love our boys and the fact they can do hard things
Being with the boys builds lasting relationships and memories
It's good to get away from the distractions of video games & TV
Family relationships are wonderful, because they’re low maintenance but high energy/output.
Spiritual Lessons Learned:
Only real protection is living righteously
Prayers get answered--everything from the weather, flight home, and the whole LM Experience!
Bees are like satan: sometimes you can't see them and they sneak up on you.
Hard to stay the course when satan is tempting us.
Don't stop too early ... The reward is better if you stay the course and endure to the end!
God has created some amazing places/things!
Fish rising are like heaven's tender mercies: they just feel good...and taste good too!
You see Gods hand in the perfection of nature
Patience is a Virtue … and pays off!We are meant to do hard things
Life can be hard be we can overcome
With God, nothing is impossible!
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