Beaten by Mt Mansfield

We're back in Vermont for Labour Day weekend this year.  After last year's success with Camel's Hump, we were eager to try Mt. Mansfield this time around.  But we had to "abort" the attempt after almost 1 mile (and 1300 ft of ascent).  I blame:

• a late start due to a longer-than-expected drive to the trail head and a sudden thunderstorm that we had to wait out in the car (we didn't hit the trail 'til almost noon and had lost that early-morning enthusiasm!)
• a slippery, muddy trail due to aforesaid thunderstorn (and, of course, last week's hurricane!)
• hiking with a 2 1/2 year old who is MUCH heavier to carry (poor Daddy!), much less willing to ride in the backpack (good for Daddy!), and much more vocal about her opinions ("I go back HOtel") than the 1 1/2 year old we had along at Camel's Hump.  :o) 

But, it is a nice hike - interesting, challenging terrain - and we did get to stop at a little mountain stream for a little exploring (sorry, can't get the picture off my iPod right now - will post later...).

July 2011

Here are the latest highlights from our backyard and beyond...

Watching the RCMP Musical Ride



Hiking in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia


We had a great holiday in the States, spending a week in Virginia and a few days in Washington DC.  We got to see some friends and their new baby too!

Canoeing on the Rideau Canal



Using our new canoe trailer

(This got us quite a few looks going through town, I can assure you.)

Swimming at Bon Echo Provincial Park



We've just returned from a few days of camping.  Kate didn't sleep very well in the tent, but she LOVED the beach.  Hopefully she will get used to the tent! 

Now it's back to work on Monday...

OK, so spring did come...

Here are a few shots from the last month.

New tractor

 First trip to the beach

 Washin' dishes - current favourite activity

 Hikin'

What happens when you let a 2-year-old dress herself

Kate goes international

Hi friends,

The big news around here is that we just got back from a great trip to Belgium to visit Uncle Neil!  Kate thought the airplane was pretty exciting.  We didn't do much traditional sightseeing - just "hung out" and enjoyed the springtime weather.  Here are a few highlights...

On the plane (reviewing the safety instructions!)

 Splashin'

 Hangin' out with Uncle Neil

In the backyard

Enjoying winter

We headed out for a snowshoe excursion a few weekends ago - the weather was perfect!

November Holiday

Back in early November we took a long weekend and went to Lapland Lake Resort in the Adirondacks.  It was an odd sort of in-between season, with virtually no fall colour left, but no winter magic either.  But it was still a nice break.

Lapland Lake provides simple houskeeping cottages with small kitchens.  It was a nice "home base" for the weekend, as it is right on the edge of Adirondack State Park.  We climbed Hadley Mountain (3.6 miles roundtrip) and got a great view from the top of the fire tower.  Even though it was much shorter, it seemed harder at times than our Camel's Hump climb in September.  I expect it was quite a bit steeper, but I haven't calculated the elevation gain.  The trail was interesting, as it crisscrosses with a little creek all the way up.  There were lots of other people on the trail too - it seems to be a popular local spot. 

We also spent some time at the resort's private waterfront.  We even tried our hands at rowing for the first time - we didn't get very far, but it was fun to try!

 At the waterfront

Kate insisted on climbing the fire tower, but Daddy wouldn't let her go all the way up. 

Kate likes to carry her backpack! 

 (She walked about the first 100 feet by herself but was carried the rest of the way)

Great views

 

At the top!

Enjoying fall

Kate's first camping trip

Back in early October, Kate and I went on an impromptu camping trip with my parents in Fitzroy Provincial Park. I was Kate's first time sleeping in a tent!

Unfortunately it was rather COLD (almost freezing), so she did not really like having to sleep in so many layers. But we survived!

She did like campfires and canoeing though...

Around the campfire

Dad expertly making toast

Boat ride with Granny!