Desert Boy Counts

Desert Boy in the River

I was going through my photos and realized I had a set from our trip to Indiana that I still needed to post. On our last afternoon, we went to a park and after a picnic and playing, some of us decided to go on a hike. It didn't take Desert Boy to get a couple of his uncles and his aunt initiated to how he likes to hike.

The clothes came off and he was in the water! Not ever being in a river this big, Desert Boy was fascinated by the way the water moved, the sticks and rocks on the bottom, the deep and shallow places, and all the green vegetation.

It was a really hot day, so the uncles and aunt didn't seem to mind the detour down the river.

Some parts were a little deep, but the water wasn't moving fast.

We reached a good area to get out and get back on the trail, but everyone decided it would be a good idea to just stay in the river for awhile longer.

And a good thing we did, because Uncle Matt got to try out his talents as Tarzan.

The strong vine held his weight as he whished through the water...

...and gave his mighty jungle roar. All the animals quieted to listen to their king. 

Okay, not really, but we all had a fun time watching.

When we did head back, the muddy trail seemed like a real piece of cake compared to the adventure we had just had. Hiking with Desert Boy can certainly be an out-of-the-ordinary experience.

Enough to totally wear out an uncle.

Muddy Puddle

First it started with throwing rocks into the puddle.

Then it progressed to walking in the muddy puddle.

Then Desert Boy ran from side to side, and in the process, fell down.

Then I guess he decided since he was already wet, he might as well get down and really enjoy the puddle. It usually isn't there, so I guess one way to look at it is that he was making the most of a temporary situation. I just say thank goodness for washing machines and garden hoses.

Desert Boy Looks at Flowers

I've been doing a lot of botanizing lately (looking at plants and trying to figure out what they are), and Desert Boy got to go with me one day. He liked the star-shaped flowers of the milkweed.

But much better was exploring the tunnels in the rose bushes. The cattle made these tunnels, and the arched bushes provided great shade. They were also the perfect height for Desert Boy to run through, while I had to stoop walk.

Desert Boy liked having different passageways and choosing where to go.

His faithful dog Henry also thought it was quite fun to scamper through the tunnels.

Desert Boy spotted Mama and came running. He wanted to do some more exploring. Nevertheless, eventually it was time to leave, although not without a major temper tantrum.

Desert Boy eventually got over it, and we played with more flowers. I couldn't resist posting this photo of my "flower child." 

And no, uncles, this does not make him a wuss. 

Besides, we're off to go on a walk, because he wants to look for snakes. We're in for some fun!

Desert Destination: A Patch of Snow in June

Although we've been looking forward to summer for so long, now that June is here we decided we needed to revisit winter a little. So we drove up to 10,000 feet to the Wheeler Peak Campground to look for some snow. As soon as we got to the trailhead, Desert Boy grabbed a handful and ate it, pine needles and all. Yum. Or not. 

I tried to show him how he could dig down a little and get some clean snow, but he wasn't interested. Fortunately, there was no yellow snow in sight.

We brought the sled and found a little patch to go sledding on. Daddy was worried about Desert Boy crashing into trees, so made him put on his helmet. But Desert Boy quickly got cold hands and didn't want to go sledding on the snow anymore.

He did want to keep sledding, though. How do you sled without snow?

When there's nice rubber matting on the ground for a handicapped trail, it's possible to go sledding!

Desert Boy thought this was a great option, with Daddy pulling and Grandma Sylvia following.

Eventually they came across another nice patch of snow, and it was time to put the sled to its correct use.

Except they crashed. Maybe the helmet wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Back in the sled, they continued down the path.

But all good things must come to an end, and the nature trail is only about 1/4 mile long. Then Desert Boy had to get out of the sled and ambulate on his own.

Grandma Sylvia showed him something fun to do that made him forget about the sled--snowball fight!

His aim wasn't too good, but his enthusiasm was high.

Then it was time for an obstacle course, going through the tree.

The clouds parted and the sun shone down on a beautiful meadow. We walked until we found the perfect photogenic rock.

Grandma Sylvia and Desert Boy had a great photo shoot.

But here's one of the worst family portraits of all time. It really can't get much worse, can it?

This one's a bit better.

I also really enjoyed listening to the birds: mountain chickadees, a hermit thrush, gray-headed juncos, ruby-crowned kinglets, and American robins. And there were about six flower species poking their heads up, including this little milkvetch. 

Although there are still some snowy patches, summer is definitely arriving at the higher elevations.

Climbing the Gravel Pile

It doesn't take much to entertain Desert Boy. A pile of gravel will do the trick. 

The pile looked easy enough to climb, but soon Desert Boy found he had to crawl to get up it.

He kept going and going, until he reached the top.

And then he ran down!

But there was a slight problem.

He got rocks in his boot. He kicked off his boot.

And emptied it out. 

Then it was time to take off the other boot.

Taking off the boots isn't hard, but putting them back on can be a little tricky.

So Desert Boy figured out something else to do with his boots...

Put gravel IN the boots. 

It might not be practical, but at least it's fun!

Hiking with a Friend

Yesterday we went for a hike with Charlie and his mom. We found a nice trail that started with some bridges and went into the trees. Desert Boy and Charlie thought it was neat.

They had a great time throwing rocks into a tributary. And they had decent aim. (Meaning neither Charlie's mom nor I got beaned.)

The trail crew was working on the trail and they paused to let us pass. 

When we got up to a meadow, Desert Boy thought it was time for a snack. Charlie agreed. They quickly plopped down and awaited food and drink.

Ah, the look of contentment. Neither wanted their own snacks, but the other's was great. 

Charlie also had a good time feeding Desert Boy.

Then it was time to hike again, and they even held hands for awhile. 

Don't leave. 

Don't puke. 

I know, this all seems so gushy and gooey.

But after all the getting along, it was time to wrestle. Desert Boy didn't quite know what to think when Charlie took him down. And a second time. And a third time. But then he figured it out.

Tackle! He wanted to make Charlie know he wasn't a wuss, I guess.

And then they worked on some more takedowns. Fortunately they agreed to stop wrestling before either was crying or hurt.

They were distracted with some obstacles, like branches to climb over and under.

And then it was back to throwing stuff in the creek--pinecones this time.

The moms enjoyed the beautiful display of wildflowers. The little guys didn't seem to care too much about the wildflowers, but they loved the dirt, and some of the insects, the contrail in the sky, the birds singing, and of course the water that they had to keep revisiting and trying to jump in.

It was lots of fun hiking with a friend!