the spook of the iron horse

The coolest hike that we did all summer was definitely the Spook of the Iron Horse!  It is a 2 mile long train tunnel that is both very cold and very dark.  It took us about 20 minutes to coerce Anna into entering the tunnel and that was after much hyperventilating on the part of both Anna and Richard.  But we got her inside and helped her see the adventure of walking where trains once railed.  Because of the depth of darkness, it is absolutely necessary to carry flashlights and headlamps.  Many of the trail goers were on bikes, which created a really cool train-like effect when the bikes would approach from the opposite direction-- with the light from their headlamps speedily filling up the tunnel like an oncoming train.

coming out the other side, the view was gorgeous.  And the air was 25 degrees warmer.

If I can have my family, a hike, and a picnic outside-- I am a truly a woman in her own personal heaven.

All Richard needs are his kids and seeing an open blue sky.  He is from Colorado!

I think maybe Benjamin is running away from the Spook.  He has gotten pretty fast.  On the way back, he refused to ride in the stroller we brought. He kept saying "I have to run!"

More profound words have never been said! If I was into tattoos-- that is what I would have tattooed.

It was a memorable day, a memorable hike.  I was glad that Richard came with us though.  I had a chance to do this hike on another day with some of the other moms I know and their kids, and I anticipated (quite wisely I might add) that Anna would "spook" once I got her up there and that after driving 45 minutes we would be stuck at the trail head with the both of us crying.  It took two parents to get that kid to face her fears.

and that is why you always leave a note...