Hey! There you are.
If you already saw this video about our Red Trail hike, you were waiting for this post. Well, here you go!
Sunday B and I went out for an adventure. We took our "motorcycle" up Manganese Road and parked in the lot. He was so excited to hike that he ran off still wearing his helmet!
After we turned from bikers into hikers, he ran back down to the lake. What a scene!
He lead the charge. We started to hike along the shore trail, but the lake is high, so we had to take it up a notch to the upper trail. Here he is climbing up that one. This picture doesn't show the elevation, but when we got to the top, he said, "We made it!"
He totally knew the way. He was so proud to tell me how to step in certain areas and which way to go and what some plants and bird were. He got ahead of me a couple times because I was trying to get some artsy shots. Here's one of fresh maple leaves opening.
Our destination was P. Pie Peak, a name we made up for a protruding ridgeline area. As we took our spot on the lichen-covered rock, a biker rode down. I happened to start recording just before he rolled past.
B was pretty quiet as we ate a snack and I recorded. We heard a grouse thumping at the peak and several other places along the way. I try to imitate it for him, but I don't think he really understands that it's a drum and not a squawk. Someday.
It really felt wonderful to be up there again. Especially with my little trekker. He is so fun to explore with. He loves to learn the directions the trails go and remember landmarks. And he really wants to hike down the Mango trail that connects near the east end. That will be a good hike. It will just take some planning. Maybe before the blackflies come out fully. It's been a little chilly for them.
Seriously. A high of 40 degrees today. But that's the Keweenaw for ya.
Back down at the bridge crossing, he watched the water flow under for a bit. Then he stood up and looked deep in thought. I love capturing moments with him.
The next day, we drove up to Lake Manganese just for fun.
"Let's go swimming!" he cheered.
"Umm, I'm not going in there. It's only 50 degrees!" I tried to snuff him out.
We both dipped a hand in to check the temp of the water.
"It's not too bad," he told me.
"We're not swimming today, Dove. I don't have any towels or anything. It's too chilly."
We walked the beach and found a picnic table. We were the only ones on the shore.
"I'm swimming," he forewarned.
"I really don't think -- holy cow you are!" I was shocked as I watched him take his clothes off. Okay then. He was going swimming.
He splashed around up to his ankles for 15 minutes or so. He didn't want to go "too deep," and I didn't blame him. He was so funny to watch. What a free spirit. I just laughed to myself. Those are the golden moments of motherhood.
He also got to go out with Esa over the weekend. We all went to Favorite Beach earlier in the day. Then the boys went down to the Harbor Haus to throw rocks later. Brady was soooo excited to see that the flags were back on the dock.
Esa grabbed this shot. Brady told him which country each flag was for. Multiple times, I would imagine. Ha!
Other than that, we are gearing up for the first busy weekend in the harbor for the summer. Three days off from work and school? Let's go to the Harbor!
See you soon!