Hiking with the Johnsons at Natural Bridge

Before the first day of school arrived and changed our schedules for the next eight months we decided to get one more hike in.  Fortunately for us, the Johnsons were up for the same thing and Natural Bridge State Park was a short drive away.  Look at all the smiling and fresh faces before the hike began.

Callie and Reese were pretty fired up to show off their hiking skills.  Although they do still have their moments, like any siblings, we have loved to see how much they love each other.  Few people can make Callie laugh like Reese can, and Callie's love for her sister overflows.  This summer also witnessed the debut of a new acrobatic display of their affection.  Nothing says I love you like I can pick you up and carry you multiple ways.

Halfway up the trail and the smiles are still fully on display.  Mason and Reese were determined to lead the way and we just had to make sure they stayed within yelling distance.  Vivid and Callie were fine with this arrangement and enjoyed walking together through the woods.  They are both old enough to not get too caught up in having to be first.

This is the entrance to the aptly named "Fat Man's Misery" portion of the trail.  You have to go through a twenty-yard stretch of trail that is a crack between two huge rocks that is at most two feet wide.  The fun part with kids and inexperienced hikers is the logjam that occurs when people are coming from opposite directions.

At the top, and the fatigue has begun to set in for at least one member of our intrepid crew.  It is highly possible that she is being a bit over dramatic. Nevertheless, it's another good picture and Reese was happy to play it up as soon as she noticed she was getting a reaction from her parents.  However she perked right on up when we mentioned trail mix and other snacks.

The Johnson family make for excellent hiking companions in case you are ever in need of some.  Emerson seemed to enjoy the girls' hiking backpack and fell asleep for at least part of the trip.  Hopefully he was asleep during the last part when John took a wrong turn and made the hike down longer than it should have been.

And then there is the Bowes family.  It is not every day that all of us will be in the mood to create a sweet memory through the magic of digital photography.  More often than not Callie is the one reluctant to smile or even show her face.  Oh well.  It was still a great way to wrap up a very active summer.