Along the way, we stopped and nailed a note to a tree. My mother-in-law had the idea to seal up a letter addressed to other passersby. The paper requested that they sign and date the note. Then, next year when we return we'd see who all participated in our little experiment. With our fortune, we'll probably get fined for littering though.
The Chuck Taylors got a work out, and on the return hike back to our house, our 4 year decided that she was too tired to walk so I had to carry her on my shoulders. Funny thing, I didn't realize just how far we had walked until we turned around to go back to the house. My legs started to strain a bit and my shoulders started to burn. That's when she piped up and commented that, "Going on hikes is hard work," and that she was "getting so thirsty from having gone on such a long hiking trip" and of course, "my bottom is hurting from sitting on your shoulders." Oh really? Sorry for the inconvenience that my shoulders are causing you. You have my full sympathy. I'll try to pick up the pace so as to not create any more hardship. Give me a break, man.
I love pointing out certain things to the kids while traipsing through the forest. I try to not only put out the vibe that I'm well-trained in the skills of a survivalist, but I also like to mess with their little heads a bit. They're young and impressionable so it's just a lot of fun. For example, "Those trees over there are Northern Maples and are indigenous to this part of the country,"(they just assume I know what I'm talking about since I used the word "indigenous") or "Those green plants there are poisonous," or "I think I heard a bear," or "Be sure to watch out for quick sand," or "There have been reports of Sasquatch in these parts," or "Oh my word, we're lost! We're lost!". Good times, good times.
As I mentioned earlier in the week, the weather was a bit on the chilly side as well as a little rainy. So, on a couple days we had some extended time inside the house. My 9 year-old daughter seized the opportunity to teach me how to play the game of chess. I've always sort of wanted to learn but never have. I quickly realized that as I get older, the less capable I am of retaining new information like this.
She sees the board quite simplistically it seems. Sort of like this...
However, in my head things are organized more like this...
In a weird fluke, I somehow managed to actually beat her the first game we played. I suspect that she let me because ever since then she absolutely destroys me. Typically, I'm left sitting at the table trying to figure out how she could win so quickly. "That's okay, Daddy," she says with a smug grin, "you tried."
Chess is a great thinking person's game. I love the strategy and gamesmanship involved. I'm glad I finally took time to start learning it. I didn't feel so bad about my late arrival to the chess playing community until I read this on the box...
Age 5? Are you kidding me? I didn't even start playing checkers until I was about 10 years old. I guess I'm a bit "slow".
The last game we played together was extremely close - and long. We actually had to stop play and resume the game later that evening due to the longevity of it. In a disheartening ending, she inevitably captured my king. I'm not a good loser. So I immediately challenged her to another competition. Arm wrestling.
Fortunately for me we agreed to a "best 2 out of 3" match.
As it turns out, she's abnormally strong for a 4th grade girl.
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