Grand Portage State Park – Grand Portage, MN 10/18/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – Let them loose for the most part. Some caution necessary by the falls but the park has fences and other checks and balances in place for safety, so as long they didn’t go over the rail, I was not concerned.
  • The Trail – Mostly paved and board walks, which was kind of a bummer for us.
  • Trail Conditions – The paths were easy to traverse and accessible.
  • Bugs and Pests – Nada…I LOVE the fall weather!!
  • Plants – Most of the blooming flowers were past their prime but we did note a few pretty purple flowers sporadically throughout the park.
  • Bathrooms – Bathrooms were located in the visitor center but their was also another facility where the High Falls and Middle Falls trails split.
  • Cell Service – Great! I even received a text message from T-Mobile welcoming me to Canada, even though we never crossed the border:)

Trail Information:

  • Length – 1 mile to the High Falls
  • Moving Time – We spent about an hour and a half checking out the scenery and visitor center but the trail itself could have been completed in under 30 minutes.
  • Elevation Gain – 65 feet
  • Difficulty – Easy for all ages and abilities!

Highlights:

  • Combo – Waterfalls!
  • Biff – Waterfalls!
  • Blaze – The waterfalls were sick!
  • Ripper – Canada eh?

For MEA weekend we decided one final (maybe, we will see if I can convince anyone to go winter camping with me) camping trip was in order. There were several parks along the North Shore of Minnesota that we needed to hike and cross off of our Hiking Club and Passport checklists, so the North Shore it was! Having planned our trip rather last minute many campgrounds were nearly full but we lucked out and snagged a cart-in site at Temperance River State Park. Our campsite was awesome and would have been even better if we were not so close to the highway (you could literally see the cars cruising by at times and man were the bigger trucks noisy at night) but the view out of our tent was SO worth it!

Of course I an intense weekend planned for us but then life happens. Poor Biff fell from the top wrung of the ladder leading to his bunk bed (it’s well over my head – OK most things are but we are talking at least 6 feet) and sustained a minor concussion literally an hour before we had planned to head out. After 3 hours in the ER the doctor cleared us to continue on our journey with instructions for Biff to rest his brain and take it easy. I made a deal with him that as long as he stayed in good spirits I would carry him whenever he got tired (remember this for Judge C.R. Magney State Park).

Our drive out was along the North Shore on Highway 61 and was absolutely beautiful! The kids had never seen anything resembling Customs before so they thought the check-point between Minnesota and Canada was especially intriguing.

First stop was the Visitor’s Center, complete with several bathrooms, informative signs, gift shop and several really cool displays about the history of the area and people.

After taking a quick bathroom break we hit the path. The kids were happy to discover that hike #1 was like going for a walk at home.

We stopped to read the several signs along the way, learning fun new bits of information.

A short distance in we discovered a spur trail that was DIRT and led to the WATER…score! We definitely spent a good chunk of time checking out the water and surrounding area.

Walking back towards the main trail we noticed several posts in the ground, similar to what we saw at Franz Jevne and pondered what the posts represented.

Before we knew it we stumbled across another spur trail. This one also led to the water but gave us the opportunity climb on the rocks of the shore – always a favorite with the kids.

We hiked among the many visitors at the park, people watching and observing the habits of others. It’s pretty crazy how different everyone was at the park but we were all there with the same purpose – get outside and enjoy what this wonderful park has to offer. It brought us all together, despite our many differences. Pretty cool.

And just like that we were heading up the wooden stairs to the High Falls. It did not seem like we had worked nearly hard enough to enjoy the majesty that we found ourselves in awe of. The High Falls were gorgeous – neither words nor pictures could do them justice. Absolutely magnificent!

The overlooks to the High Falls were super crowded and busy so we did not spend a ton of time basking their glory because we wanted to move along to allow the next group of Happy Hikers take our place and enjoy. The trail back to the car fast before we knew it we were on to our next adventure – See Mount Josephine.

I am trying something new for the MEA posts – more informative and less narrative. Let me know what you think. I would LOVE to hear from readers! Happy Trails!

Willow River State Park – Hudson, WI 10/13/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – For the most part we were OK with letting the little pent up energy beings loose. Getting closer to the falls there were a few areas where the trail was right next to a steeper drop-off to the river and then on the slippery rocks we needed to exercise some caution. The rest of the hike was worry free.
  • The Trail – Paved, packed dirt, some rocks and roots with a few hills along the way.
  • Trail Conditions – Today was a bit muddy due to the weather but the trail itself was well-maintained. The only thing that bothered us was the amount of trash along the way. It’s unfortunate that people visit places like this and decide it’s OK to leave their garbage behind…
  • Bugs and Pests – Nada!
  • Plants – Lots of moss and mushrooms.
  • Bathrooms – Facilities at the trailhead and then in the campgrounds.
  • Cell Service – A little spotty in some areas but mostly no issues.

Trail Information:

Difficulty – Easy. A few steep hills but they were short lived.

Highlights:

  • Combo – The waterfall!
  • Biff – The views!
  • Blaze – The variety of the trail. We had lakes, overlooks, waterfalls, leaves falling down, road trail and a trail trail, it was very diverse.
  • Ripper – Finally having our family back together, choosing our own path on the trail. Perfect day!

We spent nearly two weeks apart and finally found ourselves together again. What better way to celebrate but to go for a hike! We chose to go to Willow River State Park today because of the waterfalls for Combo and the views for Biff. The drive was also a plus, only 1 hour and 18 minutes of driving…boom!

The road through the park was gravel and marked with potholes and washboards to maneuver around. We drove by several campgrounds and made a mental note to check them out later. One of the first things that we noticed was the frequent sounds of gunshots. Later Dad looked it up and discovered that we were near a gun club.

It was 37 degrees and overcast, so we were unsure if we wanted to do the full 6.1 miles of the Willow Falls and Nelson Farm. Having downloaded the map from All Trails, we chose to head towards the falls and then see where the trail took us.

The first portion of the trail was paved and took us passed the boat launch. What was interesting was that the dam was under construction, which resulted in prairie where water once stood and a closed boat launch.

Further along the trail we wound through a campground noting that many of the site’s were secluded and looked like a place that we would enjoy camping. Once leaving the campground, we left the paved portion of the trail for packed dirt. We noticed that there was an abundance of moos growing on many tree’s within the park. Dad even named one of the tree’s “Randy Moss!”

While the fall colors were mostly past their prime, there was still an array of different yellows, oranges, and reds. Combo noted that some of the leaves matched her Harry Potter scarf – very cool indeed!

Previously we read a sign that told us that the lack of water was due to the dam construction and soon we found ourselves staring out at the dam and the construction that was underway. It really was cool to look at where the water once stood. Dad determined that he thought the dam construction must be near completion, time will tell.

We chatted about a “treat-yo-self” night as we continued on. Basically we choose all of the unhealthy favorites from fast food restaurants and have that for dinner. Our taste-buds longed for cheese curds, muffins, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, and so much more! As our mouths began to water, the sound of rushing water slowly increased in volume. We were getting close!

The sound of rushing water was soon accompanied by the “whoop whoop” of a helicopter. We found a spur trail that brought us out of the woods and stopped for several moments to try to spot it but unfortunately the cloud cover was too dense to see anything.

The moss continued to follow us on our trek and eventually we found a tree right next to the trail that had inviting moss for our sensory needs. We took several moments to check it out and Biff was pretty proud of using his face to “really feel” it.

This is where we hit the portion of trail that we found ourselves exercising a little more caution. Pictures do not show the drop-off but to the left of the trail is a steep incline down to the water. We had to reign Biff in several times because he was enjoying revving his engines and racing on ahead.

The waterfalls were as impressive as we remembered and we stopped for several moments to soak them in. While walking across the bridge we saw several folks checking out the rocks and decided that we would venture down to the water on our return trip. While making this decision we looked up and saw an overlook and decided to make that our next destination. We have hiked this trail previously and my favorite part of today was that we did not have a predetermined route to take. If something caught our eye, we went for it. Combo and Biff wanted to immediately head up the stairs to the overlook but Blaze (Dad) and I decided that we would take the long way around to the overlook.

We found ourselves on the Burkhardt Trail, heading to the overlook. Now Blaze and I are die hard fans of “That 70’s Show” and we may have spent several minutes laughing about how Jackie would have NEVER stepped foot on this trail:) This portion of trail started flat, winding through the woods. But then the incline started. Biff gave up half way up the first hill and threw a tantrum. Dad and I continued on (only tried and true way to keep him going). Unbeknownst us, Combo actually stopped and helped Biff take deep breaths (his agreed upon coping skill from last night when we decided we would let them stay up late). When we turned around we saw Combo carrying Biff on her back up the hill. Our hearts be still! For the past two weeks these two have been fighting like cats and dogs, but out on the trail again they were a united front. I do not know what it is and I cannot explain it but the trail unites us and pulls us together as one and it never ceases to amaze me. When Biff became too much for her to carry, she walked hand in hand with him. This is what my heart needed after the last two weeks!

While our troopers managed the hill, Dad and I stopped to marvel at the leaves on the ground. For whatever reason, this year I have stopped on numerous occasions to soak in the changing leaves and changing seasons. The changing seasons is something to behold – we see the growth, the abundance, the changing colors, and then the slow decline to winter.

When the trail flattened out, Combo stopped and pointed out a treasure that she found. We back tracked to check out her treasure only to find that it was a pile poop! The next several minutes were filled with talk of bodily functions…

The trail branched off and we had a decision to make and Dad told me it was MY decision. Of course I chose the longer route. I chose that route because it would take us to a second overlook and I showed Combo how to identify overlooks on the All Trails map. She thought it was pretty cool and we were all happy that we took the longer route!

The second overlook was definitely the most impressive and Biff was really excited that we were above the tree’s. Both kids commented that they cannot wait to get above the clouds again like when we were in Montana this summer. Soon enough my dears, soon enough.

The stairs back down to the waterfalls were steep and slick – the wind was blowing like crazy! Dad may have broke out into the “easy, Breezy, Cover Girl” commercial jingle:)

We made it to the bottom without falling and the kids were really excited to climb on the rocks. Biff was distracted looking for things to throw in the water and Combo took advantage of this moment to corall Mom and Dad for photos at the waterfall.

Climbing in the little mini caves was also a highlight for the kids.

Of course we had to take a moment to throw a few rocks in the water before we left the water!

Looking for adventure, we decided to take a different trail back. We chose a trail that diverged from the main path and headed out. After several minutes we checked our GPS and found that we were not on a trail marked by All Trails but we decided to keep going because it was so beautiful.

The trail was narrow and wound up and down through the woods with Biff chasing after Blaze, trying to hit his butt – very motivating!

We eventually discovered that we were on a snowshoe trail (sorry Mary!) and decided it would be fun to check it out in the winter on snowshoes.

A steep hill confronted us next on our journey. Again, Biff stopped and we kept going. Combo, Blaze, and I reminded him that only happy hikers get happy meals (McDonalds), our new mantra. This worked and soon he rejoined us!

We continued to choose our route at each intersection, inching our way closer and closer to that little green circle.

The kids found a caterpillar and were super pumped!

Around this time we decided to adjust our “treat-yo-self” night to going to the grocery store and picking out treats there. We wanted to be able to go home and simply relax. We also had to decorate pumpkins for their school…

Our pumpkins!

Hiking is my happy place – a place where I find peace, happiness, and acceptance. It’s what I need in my life and I am starting to see that we have instilled this same sentiment in our kids. Combo actually supported Biff in making it up the hill – at home this would not have happened. I hope that others get their kids out there enjoying nature and creating a common goal – make it to the end…because together we can do it! That’s it for this week! BUT we have a jam packed week set for this MEA week. Stay tuned for more!

Jay Cooke State Park – Carlton, MN 09/28/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – No real concerns. Sure there were areas where the kids could fall into the river but it was not something that I saw happening. We’ve talked to our kids extensively about enjoying the trail and “views” safely. So we did let them run wild, despite some strange look from other parents.
  • The Trail – Gorgeous as always! We wound along the side of the river, climbing gentle hills and descending to the riverbed itself. Then heading back to the trailhead we took a different route and wound through a heavily wooded forest that was absolutely gorgeous with the changing colors!
  • Trail Conditions – We definitely encountered several muddy portions of trail but for the most part it was smooth sailing. The park’s trail system links with the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) and typically speaking, I think you should always be prepared to encounter mud (some seasons are worse than others). Outside of that, the trails are taken care of and there is plenty of variety to keep things interesting.
  • Bugs and Pests – Nada!
  • Plants – We found some HUGE mushrooms but the best part this time around was definitely the fall colors!
  • Bathrooms – Restrooms are located within a pavilion just off the parking lot. Flushing toilets! Funny side note, I used hand-sanitizer in the bathroom and instructed the kids to do the same from a different dispenser. They told me repeatedly that it was soap and I did not believe them…I was wrong! And since we had already left the bathroom and I was too embarrassed to turn back, I had them rinse their hands with the water from my pack. Good times for sure!
  • Cell Service – Perfect, no issues or spotty areas.

Trail Information:

  • Length – 4.51 miles (we took several different trails in a sort of choose your own adventure – “oh, let’s check this out” and “can we try this one?” It was awesome!)
  • Moving Time – 2:10:17
  • Elevation Gain – 182 feet
  • Difficulty – Easy. I have had a few people ask if this was a kid friendly trail and some have answered that it is too technical for kids but I would have to disagree. Our kids were able to traverse the trail without issue and thrived – no complaints.

Highlights:

  • Combo – The bridge and the water!
  • Biff – The views!
  • Blaze – The colors!
  • Ripper – The full range of colors from vibrant green to stunning oranges, reds, yellows, and pinks!

This weekend’s hike took a little extra planning, as we had a few different things to work around.

  1. Dad was leaving on Sunday for a two week trip to Washington D.C. for work, so we needed to get back in time for him to pack.
  2. Our good friend from South Korea was coming to visit and his plane was scheduled to land at 5:00 pm that day. Dad had made arrangements to pick him up at the airport as Saturday would be the only time that he would be able to see him on this trip home.
  3. The fall colors on the North Shore were beginning to take hold and by the time Dad made it home in two weeks, he might not be able to enjoy their splendor.

Knowing we had time constraints, we decided to go to one of our favorite State Parks, which is about a 2 1/2 mile drive from our home. We figured with a couple hours of hiking and 5 hours on the road, we would be home with just enough time for Dad to pack and head out to the airport. And we knew that we would be able to give Biff his “views” and Combo would see her waterfalls (even if they were small). Win-win situation right? Time was of the essence!

After the great soap debacle of 2019, we were ready to hit the trail. As always, the famous swinging bridge was crowded with throngs of people stopping to take pictures and stare at the beauty of the land. We carefully zigzagged our way through the crowd in search of the portion of the trail (Carlton Trail) that was sure to contain less people. Now do not get me wrong, we are a friendly group but I am definitely an introvert and sometimes just need to lose myself in nature and away from people.

We soon came to an area where we could have climbed onto the rocks to get a closer view of the river and the cliffs that surrounded the river, but it was overrun with people and we were eager to get to an area where we could just be us, alone in the world. We promised the kids that we would stop on our way back.

Immediately we noticed the gorgeous colors that surrounded us on the trail. Little did we know, there was plenty more in store for us!

As we continued on our way, the kids were excited that there were portions of the trail that they could climb, slip and trip down. You have to admit, it is pretty fun to slip in the mud!

In many areas the park was covered with fallen leaves, which made some portions of the trail difficult to discern. Luckily we have taken this path several times and knew which way to take down to the river. A couple ahead of us was having difficulty figuring out which way to go and the kids were excited to point out that they knew the way “follow us!”

As we took the spur trail to the gorgeous outcropping of rocks that overlooked the river, Combo decided that she needed to explore the tree fort and Biff dubbed this as Combo’s “shortcut”.

The overlook and river was gorgeous!

But man was the sun BRIGHT reflecting off of the water!! Combo was especially not thrilled but Biff was quite happy to borrow Mom’s sunglasses.

But of course this was a favorite part of the trail and the kids had to take the opportunity to throw several leaves, rocks, and twigs in the water. I tell you, find moving water and you have found several hours of entertainment for the kids.

And before we departed the spur trail, Combo and I saw our favorite tree. A lone tree of blazing orange amongst vibrant the vibrant green of the surrounding trees. It was truly a sight to behold!

Hitting the trail again we marveled at the roots that were intertwined on the path. We laughed and decided that the tree roots looked like worms and were ALIVE!

Knowing that our time together was limited and soon coming to an end, we began telling fart jokes and mixing in “poop” and “butts” to some of our favorite songs. We let loose and enjoyed all that was around us! The walk across the walks in the middle of the river was definitely a high point for the kids.

But of course when you really let loose, sometimes a mishap or two might happen. Unfortunately, this time Biff lived up to his name and took a grand biff into a puddle within the rocks, completely soaking the bottom portion of one sleeve of his sweatshirt and his bottom. Of course I laughed like crazy (very mature) and Biff was initially quite distraught, only to see the humor of the mishap leading to his uncontrollable laughter.

Continuing on we found ourselves in a magical forest of sorts. Our spirits were high and we reveled in the beauty surrounding us. OK so maybe Mom and Dad reveled and the kids were just happy to continue with the fart and poop jokes.

In true outdoorsman form, Biff found an inviting tree that he just had to climb. The glee and happiness that he found climbing that tree was contagious and for a moment we forgot that we would be spending two weeks apart soon.

Soon we came across our first muddy portion of the trail. We navigated it to the best of our abilities but Biff once again took a digger and found himself slipping butt first into the mud! Dad took great pleasure in telling him to next time warn him that he was about to fall so he could get it on video.

Earlier I said that my favorite part of the trail was the changing colors that surrounded us. It was absolutely amazing and reminded me that every part of the circle of life is beautiful and it is our job to enjoy each and every moment…even the portions where a season is ending because a new season will begin again soon, with it’s own beauty and magesty.

And of course, we all took the time to grab that special moment with Dad. Moments to hold onto over the next two weeks when we would only be able to see one another through Video Chat on our phones. I know I am talking like he will be gone forever, but we are such a close knit family that these work trips sometimes seem so insurmountable and difficult. I sit here writing this on a day where my family received some particularly difficult news, news that has been even more difficult to bear without our Blaze. But I take comfort in the fact that there are more adventures ahead for our family. I am especially looking forward to hiking the favorite trail of a special someone (you know who you are and I know you can do it!)

Anywho, enough of the sad stuff. One step in front of another brought us to the first of several bridges and to say that Biff was thrilled would be an understatement! While Biff enjoyed the bridges, I was able to carve out a special moment with Combo. Sometimes the Mother/Daughter dynamic is difficult but there are moments when we truly connect and I treasure those like nothing else.

As Blaze and Dad cruised on ahead, revving their engines, Combo and I stopped to smell the roses – or more aptly the Mushrooms that we noticed by happenstance. They covered a tree and were so massive that we couldn’t help but stop and take them in.

A rustle and the crackling of nearby leaves caught our attention. We paused for several moments to figure out where the sound was coming from. Eventually we were able to find a small squirrel/chipmunk hanging out on the side of the trail. They were foraging for food and would frequently stop to eye us up and decide whether or not we were a threat. I guess the little guy decided we were harmless because they never flinched and continued foraging as we watched. The kids were especially impressed! Can you find the little guy?

Hiking has always been a release for me. I started my journey hiking with my church’s youth group in High School. I signed up to take a trip to Montana because it sounded like fun. Little did I know that this would inspire me to take to the great outdoors and instill in my children a love for nature and the world around us. Hiking is always a magical experience for me.

The kids were really thrilled with this trail. They continued to gush about all of the cool things that they were seeing and were super excited that it was neither difficult nor long. This was definitely a winner in their books! We decided that we needed to camp in this park once again next summer.

But the best was yet to come. Biff asked me to boost him onto a large boulder and of course Combo soon followed suite. They exclaimed that they were “on top of the world!” Yes indeed.

Before we knew it, we found more mud and then some more mud! Leaves stuck to the bottom of our boots as we carefully made our way through the mud pits and the kids could not have been happier. Getting muddy is super fun!

As we continued on the mud became thicker and more frequent but we did notice that the changing colors also became more pronounced. Our pace was slowing as we stopped to enjoy the varying colors along the trail. This portion of the trail was absolutely gorgeous!

But eventually we knew that we needed to turn around and would not be able to make it to the bridge I had initially hoped for (7 miles was too far due to our time constraints). Turning around, the kids stopped to ask if we could hike just a little more…my heart be still!

As we headed back we discussed our plans for a magnificent feast with our good friend, the kids describing each and every Chinese food dish that they wanted to try. We saw the trail from a different perspective and were able to enjoy new sights that we had missed on the way out.

Eventually we let Dad in on our worm/root theory and he had several theories of his own. Noodles anyone?

But soon we had to take a break. Combo had been holding off on taking care of a bodily function for quite some time and just could not wait any longer. We used safe practices to solve the issue and had a little fun along the way.

Choose your own adventure – the kids were given the choice of taking the trail along the river back or a new trail away from the river. New trail it was!

This new trail brought us through a tunnel of brightly colored leaves. Biff enjoyed playing a race and stop game along the way. He would yell “GO” and “BREAK” to signify when he wanted to race and when he wanted to stop. The endeavor made me think that trail running might be better than the treadmill option I currently use…way more fun!

After cruising through our leaf tunnel, we found ourselves back at the rocky overlook that we had promised to revisit earlier on the trail. Onward and outward. We took great pleasure in soaking up the magnificent views and a wonderful family stopped to ask us if we would like them to take a photo for us. Yes please! This one has turned into one of my favorites and encapsulates our happiness on the trail that day.

We stopped to enjoy the Swinging Bridge on our way out and felt horrible posing for a picture and holding others up. That’s the problem with busy trails, when we stop to capture a moment we are delaying the moment of another. Luckily most people out enjoying the trail understand and wait with patient smiles.

As we drove into the park the kids were especially enthralled with a particular bridge and we decided that we would drive to it to take a look before heading out. The path was paved and crowded with people and bikers. But it also featured amazing fall colors. Biff was disappointed that he was not able to race on ahead (due to the number of people on the trail) but was eventually cheered up by the “views” from the bridge. The kid really likes the views:)

This was an amazing trip and in some ways prepared me for what I had to face this week. I sit here writing this, wondering about what the future will hold. But I know that I will find peace and comfort in doing what we love to do. I also know that I will hound a certain someone to also find peace and comfort while we wait to find out more. One day at a time. Sorry this one was so drippy folks! It has been a whirlwind in the last three days…so many emotions and conflicting feelings. But what I will tell you is that reliving our experience on the trail has brought me great comfort and joy. Hiking and simply enjoying the world around us with those that I love is truly my happy place. I WILL continue to try to get this message out to others. If you feel the same, please take a moment to Like and Follow. We can inspire others to get outside and find peace. We can make a better world. We can show people that hiking comforts the soul and lifts your spirit.

Levis/Trow Mounds Trail – near Neillsville, WI 09/21/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – For the most part we were comfortable letting the kids take the lead and run their little hearts out BUT there were a few places where we were standing near the edge of a steep cliff where we needed to exercise more caution. Now the caution exercised was not the white knuckle, don’t you dare to another step type of caution but caution nonetheless.
  • The Trail – The trail wound through an expansive forest, with pleasant ups and downs dispersed throughout. Our favorite part of the trail was the trip up to Toad Road and winding along the trail at the top.
  • Trail Conditions – Good, no muddy or difficult, overgrown areas. We appreciated the boardwalks that had been placed to help us avoid the muddy and/or wet areas.
  • Bugs and Pests – Gnats flew around our heads for a large portion of the trek and we did encounter some of those pesky biters (mosquitoes) and I imagine that earlier in the season copious amounts of bug spray would be recommended.
  • Plants – So many mushrooms! We did see evidence of pretty wildflowers along the trail but their prime had mostly passed.
  • Bathrooms – Nice vault toilets at the trailhead.
  • Cell Service – At the park we did not have any issues, decent enough service but on some of the roads near the park we lost service.

Trail Information:

  • Length – We did 5.2 miles total. All Trails marked this as a 5.5 mile hike but about 1/2 in we realized that was seriously OFF. If we had not done some creative rearranging of the trail sections we took, we estimated that we could have easily done 7 miles.
  • Moving Time – 2:32:12
  • Elevation Gain – 436 feet
  • Difficulty – Easy

Highlights:

  • Combo – The views!
  • Biff – The mushrooms!
  • Blaze – The rocks!
  • Ripper – Watching Biff take the lead, explore and enjoy the trail that he had so painstakingly chosen.

It was Biff’s turn to decide which trail we took this time. When asked what he wanted out of the hike, he exclaimed “I want to get high!” Now I know that he meant he wanted to travel high up to see the world unfold around him but it was SO hard not to laugh while trying to explain to him that this was probably not the best way to describe what he wanted to see. I went through the process of selecting 8 trails that offered the opportunity “to get high” and then handed him the list. He spent a good 30 minutes examining each trail and all the pictures carefully before finally deciding on Levis/Trow Mounds Trail.

We had a 3 hour drive ahead of us and headed out early. The drive was uneventful but the kids were in good spirits, excited to finally have some screen time. As we traveled further into Wisconsin we marveled at just how gorgeous the land was. Upon leaving the busy highway we were suddenly immersed into the vast country side with forests and hills for as far as the eye could see…solitude!

Upon arriving to the trailhead everyone stopped to use the restroom and we examined our surroundings, using our downloaded map to make sure we headed out on the right trail. This is something that I would definitely recommend doing prior to heading out to a trail that you have not visited before. I cannot tell you the number of times that our map and GPS kept us on the right track and ensured that we did not get lost nor take the wrong path, leading us to adventures unknown.

As we hit the trail the kids were in GREAT spirits, running along pointing out mushrooms and cool leaves along the way. They were actually getting along (it has been a long week)! Dad and I were pleased to see them working together and Combo even gave Biff a serious piggy back ride…without complaining! Thank you!

Now I will tell you that this park had some serious mushrooms…so many varieties, colors, and sizes. We really enjoyed watching the side of the trail for the little guys and the kids stopped to carefully examine each one. This was definitely a great way to keep them occupied – who will find the next cool mushroom, what will it look like, what color will it be, and how big will it be?

It’s getting to be that time of year when the leaves change and surprise us with their vibrant colors and today was no different. While the fall colors are not in full bloom we did find several leaves that were beginning their change and the kids loved stopping to examine each one – another scavenger hunt item added to our impromptu list.

This park was no different from last weekend, the acorns were falling rapidly around us as we strolled through the forest. It was especially cool when one bonked Biff right on the head!

Boardwalks and bridges are a serious attraction for the kids and you can guess that they were pretty stoked when they came across the first of many this morning. The park service had taken the time to create boardwalks over especially muddy and/or wet areas to protect our feet and prevent trail damage, little did they know that they also created a boat load of fun for the kids! One thing that I thought was especially cool was that they angled some of the structures so that the numerous mountain bikers could have a smoother transition onto the boardwalk. They thought of everything!

The day was overcast and rain was predicted for the early afternoon so we had packed rain jackets and prepared for cooler weather but nope, forecasts were wrong and our thoughts of chilly weather could not have been more wrong. While it did not get overly hot, it was humid and the park offered little to no breeze along the way (except near the top). Of course Biff used this as another reason to take his shirt off – what will he do in the winter when it is actually cold and he cannot hike in his bare skin? Time will tell.

As we traveled along we found branches laying across the trail and Biff found one that he took the time to test the sturdiness of, as well as asking Dad if he would be able to fashion a walking stick out of it for Combo. Again thinking of his sister before himself! When I say that it had been a difficult week, I am not kidding. They fought like cats and dogs and mixed like oil and water…it was rough! I do not know what it is but again the trail provides and we are blessed with a few hours of getting along, laughing and taking care of one another. Now to figure out how to replicate this attitude at home…or maybe we should find a way to hike for a living and hire a tutor to ensure they stay on the right academic track…decisions decisions.

The park really was gorgeous and ginormous (as Combo would say). As we strolled along Dad captured a photo that showed the kids and I as little ants among towering trees. When you think about it, that’s what we really are in this world of ours. We are tiny visitors in an ancient world, spending a brief amount of time while leaving our mark (for good or bad) on something that does not belong to us.

We consistently practice Leave No Trace and work hard to instill in our kids that we should always leave our environment better than how we found it, today being no different (my pack carried out several pieces of litter that we found along the way). This is something that we should all recognize…we are tasked with taking care of the great and beautiful world of ours and if we don’t…but more about that at a different time.

Combo has a love for reading (Harry Potter is a current favorite) and soaks up every opportunity to learn more about the trails we are visiting. We have purchased several books that describe the history of various parks and trails, animals, plants, fungi, etc. just for this purpose. Now when we find a trail with awesome interpretive signs, it is an added bonus! Even if we do not stop to read them in the moment, she makes sure to carefully examine them later.

At some point on the trail we find ourselves playing hide and go seek…well Biff does anyway. He relishes in hiding behind trees, bushes, you name it only to jump out and scare us along the way. Combo has gotten good at pretending not to see him and yelling out in fear when “Rawrs!” at us, but this time it was a bit more difficult to pretend that he scared us.

Of course with all of the trees also comes evidence of woodpeckers. Stopping to look at the holes and trying to find those delicious bugs was also a priority for us.

And boy oh boy, the white sand along the trail. It was soft, falling smoothly through our fingertips. Combo especially enjoys touching and feeling the sand and decided that we should make sandwiches…get it? Sand witches? This kid cracks me up!

Soon we stumbled across a stump that had been covered by moss and was growing various plants within it. We wondered if this was a fairy garden in disguise. Where were the fairies? Were the nice? Or were they going to chase us away from their home?

I was surprised, the kids had not complained at all. I am not going to mislead you, it is not always roses on the trail. There are times when Biff refuses to take another step or Combo complains that she just wants to be done, but today this was not the case. This park had so many different little things to offer that they were content and occupied as we continued on our journey. I think giving the kids the power to choose the trail has helped and I might just have to continue this tradition.

While looking at the cool rocks on this section of trail, we also noticed that we were finally starting to make our way closer to the sky. Continuing on up, Biff began to get excited to find the views that he had seen pictures of and took off like The Flash!

This was definitely our favorite part of the trail at this park. While we were not treated to frequent views, the views we did see were awesome. And when we were not looking at the vast forest, we were taking the time to examine the cool geology. At the start of Toad Road we found a spur trail that took us to the top of a massive boulder, which gave us an incredible view of the area. The fun part was that we could hear mountain bikers traveling below us and wondering out loud “how did they get up there?”

Toad road was full of caves, little holes, and cool rocks. It was a definite treat for our eyes and senses! The most important thing to remind ourselves is that when you find an area like this, you HAVE TO stop and let the kids explore. You cannot push them ahead on your agenda. They need to have the opportunity to enjoy themselves, otherwise what is the point?

Finding images among your surroundings is another favorite pastime for us. We might find Ents in the trees, people in the clouds or even a Sea Turtle in the rocks!

But an all-time favorite is finding a hole or cave and sticking our heads in to see what we can find. We do not let them really climb in the caves or holes because we do not want to disturb them but we definitely make sure to check them out!

Combo is not going to be pleased with me for this but as we strolled along the top of the hill, she chatted my ear off about a boy in her school that she has a crush on. We made plans to invite him to her birthday party and discussed different ways that she could talk to him or interact with him in general. Now she rarely opens up about this stuff, but out in the woods she felt safe talking and we had uninterrupted time to hatch our plans. Let’s hope this stays the same when she is in her teens! Ahhh!

I glimpsed a spur trail that we nearly missed and boy was I glad that I had. The kids hurried forward and made themselves comfortable, while looking out at the surrounding forest. They pointed out birds soaring high above our heads, a distant tower, and the fact that they could not see any buildings or structures at all. I want to capture this memory in my heart forever.

The mushrooms continued throughout the trail and Combo was excited to point out a tree that had mushrooms all the way to the top. How did that happen?

Now that the “cool stuff” was behind us the kids began to get a bit restless. We had packed bubbles for the trek and they continued to ask me for them until I finally relented. There was a good 10 minutes of bubble filled fun before the unthinkable happened. Biff, biffed it and spilled the majority of bubbles. Combo laughed. Two minutes later, Combo also biffed and it was the end of our bubbles. Lesson learned.

As luck would have it, we made it to a rescue point where we took out our Swiss Chocolate First Aid Kit (Swiss Chocolate) and treated ourselves to some very important medical attention. Thank you Beat!

It’s important to recognize when the kids are getting close to their end point, this was it. We knew that if we pushed them too far they would remember us dragging them along the trail instead of all the fun that we had. So we looked at our trusted GPS and found different trails to take to lessen the mileage of our hike. The kids were thrilled!

The kids continued to guess at which trail would get them back to the car faster but Dad made sure to have some fun at the same time. Combo was a bit bummed that she could not swing from Daddy like Biff, but she has a history of getting Nurse Maids Elbow so we thought it best that she refrain from the swinging. BUT this did give her the opportunity to talk about her trips to Urgent Care and the time that Dad watched a U Tube video to pop her elbow back in place. We all have our own small pleasures in life, right?

And of course our talk finally turned back to food. We challenged the kids to make it back to the car before me. If they won, they would get Ice Cream (shocker) and if I won, I would get a smooch from Dad. The race was on and boy oh boy did they go!

They finished the end of the trail in record time and were excited to get their Ice Cream. We set our GPS for A&W in Neillsville and munch on egg salad sandwiches and Jimmy John’s as we drove the 15 minutes to our long awaited treat.

We had one last trick up our sleeves. Earlier in the week we had booked a room at a hotel in Neillsville but didn’t tell the kids about it. Dad drove out of A&W and into the hotel’s parking lot, telling the kids that he had to go to the bathroom. They were so surprised when he checked in, instead of asking if he could use the bathroom! I work in the mental health field and one thing that we always say is that intermittent reinforcement is the strongest type of reinforcement. Basically people randomly get reinforced for a behavior (think gambling and winning the huge jackpot) they engage in, which makes them more likely to engage in the behavior next time (for us, doing awesome on the trail and enjoying themselves). It was time to treat them to a random hotel night, filled with treats, games, and late night foolery. Unfortunately, Dad also fought the swimming pool and the swimming pool won.

We enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant but enjoyed our time together even more. Biff even loved the fish that we shared (he did cover it with ketchup though…).

And of course we had a night filled with shenanigans – it was just what the doctor had ordered!

That’s it for this one folks! Thank you for taking the time to read about our adventures and we hoped that you found inspiration somewhere within the post. If you have a moment, let us know your thoughts on our adventure and anything that we might change to make your reading experience more enjoyable, informative, etc. Until next time, HAPPY HIKING!

Minneopa State Park – Mankato, MN 09/15/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – I did not have any real concerns with the trail itself at Minneopa. No worries that the kids would fall off of a sharp cliff, fall on slippery rocks, etc. BUT the trail does run alongside the Bison viewing area, so I made sure that they knew to avoid the fence at all costs.
  • The Trail – Mostly flat, with a few very small, very gentle inclines – nothing strenuous, at all. That being said, the trail took us on a winding path between the Bison viewing area and the river, through plains and tree covered tunnels. Though uneventful, this was a pleasant hike that I am sure would be gorgeous with the changing colors of the leaves.
  • Trail Conditions – A portion of the Hiking Club trail is STILL closed (we went earlier this spring when the entire trail was closed) but after taking a short detour we were able to meet up with our chosen path. The trail was packed dirt, with some roots and rocks just barely poking above the surface.
  • Bugs and Pests – Mosquitoes…GRR…I thought we were done for the year but Minneopa lived up to it’s reputation for allowing those dirty little buggers munch on you throughout your hike. We loaded up with bug spray twice and were still getting several bites BUT it was WAY better than the conditions when we visited this park in 2017.
  • Plants – The kids LOVED finding all of the acorns and various seeds that the trees dropped along the way.
  • Bathrooms – Two outhouses at the trailhead/parking lot. Biff thought it was pretty cool that one of the outhouses did not latch properly, leaving him to stand guard outside lest anyone attempt to enter while his ladies were in there. Such a gentleman!
  • Cell Service – Perfect, no issues.

Trail Information:

  • Length – 2.72 miles
  • Moving Time – 1:37:32
  • Elevation Gain – 63 feet (see told you the inclines were few and far between and GENTLE)
  • Difficulty – EASY PEASY

Highlights:

  • Combo – Seeing the toads and getting to carry the phone to take pictures.
  • Biff – Spending time with you guys. And seeing the two big frogs and the little ones (he’s such a suck-up and knows how to pull at Mom’s heartstrings).
  • Blaze – N/A
  • Ripper – We FINALLY got the password! Third time is the charm!!

This time around I decided to do something different, as far as planning our adventure. Usually I spend hours pouring over my various hiking books and going onto my various hiking trail maps in search of just the right trail for the weekend. The kids have been so patient with us all season, so I decided it was time they were given the opportunity to take part in the planning.

Since Combo is the oldest, I decided she should be given the first shot at planning. I tasked her with deciding what she wanted to see, how long she wanted to hike and what she might like to do afterwards as a reward for hiking. She spent several nights writing on her whiteboard in her room and finally decided that she wanted to see waterfalls, to hike less than 3 miles and to either a) go swimming afterwards or b) get ice cream. I then went through and chose a handful of hikes that suited her needs and let her choose which one to take. Originally she had chosen to go to John A. Latsch State Park and the Zumbro Bottoms trail (she decided to forgo the waterfalls in lieu of cool views) near West Albany, MN.

As we looked into her chosen trails further we noted that John A. Latsch did not have a password and Zumbro Bottoms was used frequently by horses, leaving the trail itself in not the best condition. So Combo changed her mind and we were back to the drawing board. She decided that she really wanted to get a password and I suggested Minneopa State Park, as we had tried on two different occasions to get the password there but were thwarted each time. Combo quickly agreed that finding that password on the Hiking Club Trail plus the short trail to the waterfalls sounded perfect. Decision made!

We started our day off with a drive just short of two hours and enjoyed listening to a new Podcast along the way. Now I could not listen to my favorite Crime In Sports or Small Town Murder because, well let’s face it, it is not appropriate for the kids. BUT I did find a new Podcast “the Punies” – a sports Podcast for kids by Kobie Bryant. Well needless to say the kids loved it and happily listened throughout our car ride.

Upon arriving to the park, we stopped to use the facilities and then scoped out our options for hitting the trail.

Blaze was up at his parent’s house this weekend, helping Grandpa Goober build an addition onto his garage so it was just the kiddos and I. Since we were doing something different this time (not having Blaze with us), I decided to try something else new. Biff was in charge of the voice recorder and my multi-tool, while Combo was in charge of one of my old fishing knives. The memories listed to come in this post are based off of what Biff thought was important to note.

Right off the bat, Biff forgot his “tool” so we had to go back to the car to get it. Back at the car, we thought we should load up with bug spray as the skeeters were already starting to munch on us. After Biff just had the bug spray on, he rubbed his eyes (he said he was sleepy) with his bug spray covered hands and I was worried that he would get it in his eyes, but he explained gleefully that he was smart enough to keep his eyes closed. Well done buddy.

The Hiking Club Trail was blocked off with a sign routing us to a detour. We decided that we were going to give this trail one more shot. The first time we tried to hike this trail we literally ran back to the car because the mosquitoes were so bad and the second time the trail was completely closed. Biff thought that the flowers we found were quite beautiful (pronounced bu-tee-full).

Coming to a road and trail intersection, we were left trying to figure out just which path to take. Biff exclaimed that he saw the little blue Hiking Club sign just across the road! He had found the right path! Biff thought that it was important to note that Blaze may not have wanted to take the detour but he was sure glad that we did because he was now our self-proclaimed navigator.

After leaving the junction for the Bison Overlook, we came across a portion of the trail that bared the same name as the kids’ school. Very cool!

Forging on ahead we began to talk about where we would like to go for dinner…again we are ALWAYS talking about food. We decided that we would go to the Thirsty Buffalo, in part due to the fact that the customer service was so amazing last time. Combo was excited to text Blaze our decision…why is she getting so grown up?

The expansive prairie and Bison viewing area soon gave way to a trail that wound through the forest and along the river. We encountered one viewing area for the river that promised awesome view but the tree cover only allowed the smallest glimpse of the beauty that laid beyond. I bet in the fall, after the trees have lost their leaves, that this overlook would be spectacular! Combo spent several minutes trying to capture just the right photo to commemorate this overlook. Biff noted that “We found a real, real good view!”

Now finding the password was certainly my favorite part of the adventure because it was starting to feel like we would just not find the sweet spot to get it, but the other thing that I LOVED about this hike was that the kids really enjoyed finding acorns, seeds, bugs, etc. along the way and we stopped to examine each and every thing they found. This turned a short hike into a somewhat longer one but it was well worth it in my opinion. There is something to be said about the kids stopping to examine a tiny toad or recently fallen seed – these are the things I want our kids to take notice of…not the video games or U Tube videos that are all the rage.

At this point we had to douse ourselves with bug spray again because the biters were getting a bit out of hand. But the trail was still entertaining and the endless acorns dropping onto our heads provided an additional layer of fun.

And before we knew it, we had done it! WE FOUND THE PASSWORD!! Third time is the charm:)

Unfortunately, Combo managed to somehow get bug spray in her eyes (she should have squeezed them shut like Biff and he definitely told her so…she was not happy about his insight).

Luckily we were close the halfway point at the bug spray ordeal, which helped to encourage Combo to continue on. Both kids could not believe that we were almost done with the hike (it’s like they have recently climbed several mountains and put in several miles or something right?)

A Monarch hunting we will go! Definitely another highlight on the trail was chasing the multitude of butterflies and insects that we found along the trail. This guy was one that we watched for several moments.

At this point we began to question whether the Bison fence was electric or not. Combo and Biff had several reasons for believing one way or the other and we decided that in the interest of safety, we should just avoid touching the fence altogether.

Now I stated earlier that Blaze is out of town but what I neglected to mention was that the kids had been fighting like cats and dogs…it has been rough…like really ROUGH. That being said, there is something about getting outside, hiking, and enjoying the world around us that somehow binds us, connects us, and gets rid of all the petty differences the kids might find themselves having. Seriously, they were awesome on the trail – encouraging one another, laughing together, and enjoying the experience together as a team. This is what it is all about folks!

As you can see the Bison fence is in the background. At this point I took the opportunity to carefully stretch my hands beyond the wires and snap a few uninterrupted photos of the prairie landscape around us. It was so gorgeous! The kids were quite nervous and continuously encouraged me to bring my hands back “into safety”.

We have a camping trip planned for MEA weekend and of course our topic of conversation returned to food. Should we pack food to cook over a fire or food to cook with our backpacking stove? We never came to a decision, so I guess we have another topic of conversation for future hikes. I bet Blaze will have some good ideas!

Biff was enamored with the multitude of frogs and toads that we saw along the way. BUT this guy was by far and away his favorite! We stopped for several minutes to check him out, ask how he was doing, and just admire him…maybe weird but we enjoyed ourselves.

And of course the multitude of leaves that were dropping from the trees were of great interest to the kids!

As we continued our journey back to the car, we received text from Blaze saying that he was on his way home. Now, what I did not mention earlier was that we had family from SWITZERLAND visiting at this time and we had planned to stop and see him, along with my cousin after we hiked. Beat also shares a love for hiking and we have exchanged several great messages over the past couple years about all that we have experienced while on the trail – meeting Beat and Cornelia was truly an amazing experience.

Dad’s quick departure put our plans into hyper drive. Combo had a decision to make. Do we continue on our intended itinerary and see the falls or do we head out, skip the falls and make sure to see Beat, Cornelia, Heidi and Rick? She made the decision in a split second and we soon found ourselves racing to the car to make sure that we would be able to see everyone before Dad got home.

Because I do not want you guys to miss out on the falls, I have included some photos of the waterfalls at Minneopa State Park that we had taken back in 2017, when we made our first unsuccessful attempt at the Hiking Club Trail.

After a lovely visit with our family we hit the road again to meet Blaze for dinner. Our adventure proved to be too much for Blaze, as he hit the hay almost as soon as we hit the road. Another great day on the books!

Thank you for joining us on our adventure! If you enjoyed reading, please subscribe and follow us. We hope to gather a big enough following to start to influence others to get out there enjoying the trail with their families.

Next up, Biff’s trail pick…he wants to “get high and see great views”. Until next time, HAPPY HIKING!!

Lester River Trail – Duluth, MN 09/07/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – We were comfortable letting them loose on the trail but used a little caution on the rocks, as they could be a little slippery due to the river. There were several points where Biff ran gleefully ahead of us and we would only stop him when he was no longer within view. As soon as we caught a glimpse of him, we were ok with letting him take off again.
  • The Trail – We wound up and down along the river, through a park, and through towering trees. It was a wonderland of hiking within the city!
  • Trail Conditions – Great! Mostly a dirt packed trail, with tree roots making the path interesting.
  • Bugs and Pests – No issues!
  • Plants – Mushrooms, flowers, and lots of greenery!
  • Bathrooms – None that we saw.
  • Cell Service – Great.

Trail Information:

  • Length – 2.7 miles
  • Moving Time – 0:50:47
  • Elevation Gain – 250 feet
  • Difficulty – EASY

Highlights:

  • Combo – The river and rocks!
  • Biff – The shortcut!
  • Blaze –
  • Ripper – Finally being able to relax and follow a well marked trail through a gorgeous park.

Well we didn’t let Ely’s Peak get us down. Driving back into Duluth we talked for a long while and finally decided on Lester Park for try number two. We had been to this park a couple of years ago and remembered it being a lot of fun, so why not?

Reaching the trailhead we stopped so Biff could briefly check out the water and headed out, after promising that he would have plenty of opportunities to throw sticks and rocks in the river later on the hike.

Our intended path took us to a bridge that was clearly out but in looking at our downloaded map we found another route that was sure to please. We did note a memorial near the out bridge, marking the place where a teenager had jumped into the river and drowned. Looking into the matter further, we found that there had been 3 such instances within the past 6 years, making this area a sad reminder that adventures in the outdoors are amazing, but can be dangerous if the necessary precautions are not taken. Strolling along we caught a glimpse of a waterfall through the trees, promising fun water later!

Combo was enamored with a really cool stump on the side of the trail and took several moments to explore all that the stump had to offer – the simple pleasures in life!

Both kids were really eating up the trail and soaking in everything they saw. They were pointing out glimpses of the river, bugs, plants and fun places to hide, camp or picnic in the future. It is amazing that this park is located within the city limits of Duluth. Without the hum of the nearby highway you would have no idea that you were so close to industries, residences and throngs of people (the trail did have several other users but everyone mostly kept to themselves).

We were singing potty and gas songs when out of nowhere emerged a playground! Say what?! This would definitely be a good place to end your hike – it would give the kids a great goal and the adults a nice place to stop and enjoy lunch. Maybe next time.

I must say that Minnie was in her prime and really enjoying being the leader of the pack. We often hesitate to take her on our hikes with us because the car rides are hard on her hips and the longer hikes usually leave her quite sore for a few days afterwards. We were pleasantly surprised to see her back to acting like a pup along the trail…jumping over logs, scrambling over rocks, and chasing after the kids. This was a good hike for everyone’s spirits most definitely.

As Biff was running ahead, we were happily chatting about the upcoming baby shower and what our good friends will have in store with their newest family member, when suddenly Biff let out a sound of disgust. As we drew nearer, we found him holding a moldy mushroom, pinching his nose and asking us what the disgusting things was.

Dropping his stinky find, Biff raced on ahead. The kids were in rare form on this trail. They were cruising along without a complaint. I think they realized that Mom and Dad had been frustrated earlier and wanted to boost our spirits, in the same way that we boost their spirits when they are having a more difficult time on the trail. This is what I love about our hiking trips. We (kids included) are always looking out for one another and doing our best to make sure that everyone has a good time – even if that means that we need to take one for the team.

And just like that, we found the river and a spur trail that took us out onto the rocks for an up-close look. The kids scrambled up the four foot wall of rock and I lifted Minnie (one end at a time) up the wall. Minnie really was a trooper – patiently waiting for me to lift her one end two feet up, followed by her back end and then front and back end again. I think she was just thrilled to be with her family, checking out the trail again.

The trail was littered with tree roots but we found this guy to be especially cool.

Hiking on another couple hundred feet we found another spur trail that took us right to the water. We climbed over the rocks and were rewarded with the opportunity to throw a few rocks and sticks in, while Minnie took the opportunity to take a quick drink from the flowing water.

The park system was well marked and we were able to easily navigate our own path. We decided that we were getting short on time, so we found a connector ski trail that would take us back to the main trail, but cutoff a few miles so we could make it to the Baby Shower in time. Biff was beyond thrilled to take a short cut (note to self – choose a long trail that has a good shortcut to get us to just the length that we intended to hike).

Recently we have been talking to the kids about joining an organization or movement that will allow us to adopt a trail and work to help maintain it. We have been discussing how it is our job to make sure that mother nature is taken care of and all of the things that we can do on a small scale to contribute (EX: picking up garbage along the trail – we have a stash in my pack just for this on each hike). Finding a post along the trail advertising just such an event got us all very excited. Yes, the time for the event had passed but it gave us a place to look for next year to participate. Would any readers be interested in joining our family for a full-scale cleanup of a park or trail next summer? If so, just let us know and we will get you included!

Biff and Combo could not believe it when we told them that our car was just around the corner – we were almost done!

We had a spectacular time at Lester Park today and the kids were so happy that we hiked under 3 miles. They are troopers but they need a rest too.

Reaching the trailhead again, Biff and Combo finally had a chance to check out under the bridge and explore the water. The last time that we visited this park was in the spring and the water was MUCH higher so they were unable to explore the bridge. As I gave Minnie food and water at the car, Blaze and the kids explored the bridge. So much fun!

Thank you for joining us on the trail again! We appreciate all of our readers and hope to hear from you! We do have a new email address hikingwithkids@outlook.com. If you have any questions, feedback, or places that you would like us to check out and review for you, just let us know! Take care and happy trails!

Ely’s Peak Trail – Duluth, MN 09/07/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – No concerns, but we did not make it to the end of the trail, so it is hard to truly rate.
  • The Trail – We encountered a brief boardwalk, stairs, gravel path, and a rock scramble.
  • Trail Conditions – The trail was in good shape, but not well marked at all. I am very unhappy to report that we saw a lot of garbage along the way. Very unfortunate.
  • Bugs and Pests – Nada.
  • Plants – Many pretty wildflowers along the way and towering trees.
  • Bathrooms – None.
  • Cell Service – Good – spotty in some sections.

Trail Information:

  • Length – Reported length was 1.8 miles but we did about a mile before we turned around.
  • Moving Time – Approximately 30 minutes.
  • Elevation Gain – Reported elevation gain 396 feet.
  • Difficulty – I would mark as Easy but again we did not make it to the end.

Highlights:

  • Combo – The cave!
  • Biff – The cave!
  • Blaze – It was poorly marked but it looked like it would be really cool if you could figure out how to get there. There was one satellite picture that showed where you were in the park but showed no indication of how to get to the peak.
  • Ripper – I enjoyed seeing the big boulders everywhere.

This weekend we were in Duluth to celebrate a Baby Shower for some of our good friends. Keeping that in mind, we had a brief window where we could go on a nearby hike in the morning, prior to the shower. We decided to go to Ely’s Peak for the cool views, short trail and short driving distance. The trailhead was at an unmarked parking lot and started with a short boardwalk. The kids were definitely excited to find a boardwalk right off the bat. We were a little nervous not seeing a map or any markings on the trail but thought we would give a shot anyway.

Following the boardwalk, we entered a heavily wooded area, with towering trees that led to a set of steep stairs that Minnie did have a little difficulty navigating (she has trouble with her hips). The stairs led to a flat, gravel path that was meant for speed. Biff was quite excited to bring his Batman cape along and soon was racing along the trail at full speed, attempting unsuccessfully to con Combo into being Batgirl.

The flowers along the trail were plentiful but were coming to the end of their blooms. I bet it is especially pretty when the flowers are in peak season.

We followed the gravel path to a point where the trail branched off in 6 different directions. A cave stood looming in front of us and of course we had to check it out! Walking a little distance into the cave we saw that there was light at the end of the tunnel and so we continued on to see if this was where we were meant to go. Biff decided to scale the cave wall and Combo was close behind him. The cave was really cool but awfully drafty and chilly. On top of that, there was quite a bit of graffiti and trash from party-goers, left behind…

The trail through the cave clearly was not our intended route so we backtracked to the six point divergence and tried again. We studied the map for several minutes and took what we hoped would be the correct path. A quick and rocky ascent had poor Minnie breathing hard and the rest of us scratching our heads…where was this trail going?

Still not on the trail that our GPS had marked for us, we climbed back down and decided to head out. We had such a short window to hike that we did not want to spend our time frustrated, looking for the correct trail.

Not each hike is successful, but it is the time spent with one another that is memorable. I will not remember the frustrations of this endeavor but will choose to remember the glee in Biff’s voice upon donning his Batman cape and racing along the trail, with Minnie close behind (his big protector). I will choose to remember their giggles and grunts as they attempted to scale the walls of the cave. And I will choose to remember the kindness of the hikers that pointed out that Biff had lost his cape in all of his excitement with Minnie. It is important to remember what makes you happy and to move beyond what frustrates you, even when those frustrations can easily cloud your memories with the negative. While I would not recommend taking this trail, I do not regret giving it a shot and enjoying the happiness that surrounded our adventure.

Lake Vermillion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park – Soudan, MN 09/01/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – Nothing to worry about at this park folks. There were a few areas that had some steeper drop-offs but these were all fenced off, so no worries.
  • The Trail – Mostly a winding up and down trail through the woods, that took us through and by old remnants of the mine that you would not see otherwise. The trail was mostly mowed underbrush with a few areas of packed dirt.
  • Trail Conditions – Somewhat overgrown but nothing that impeded our progress.
  • Bugs and Pests – A few mosquitoes bit us here and there but definitely manageable, especially compared to what we experienced earlier in the season.
  • Plants – Lush green plants and trees surrounding the trail. It was a wonderland of green.
  • Bathrooms – Located within the visitor center. The visitor center was CROWDED!
  • Cell Service – Good.

Trail Information:

  • Length – 2.9 miles but this includes the distance we covered checking out the mine itself. The DNR marks the hiking club trail as 2.5 miles.
  • Moving Time – 01:35:52
  • Elevation Gain – 170 feet
  • Difficulty – Easy

Highlights:

  • Combo – Seeing the mining stuff.
  • Biff – Getting agates at the gift shop!
  • Blaze – All of the cool equipment, history and stuff like that.
  • Ripper – Seeing the old mine and all of the structures that had been preserved. I really liked that we were the only ones actually hiking the trail.

We decided to stay one more night with Grandma and Grandpa Goober, so of course we had to squeeze in one more quick and short hike to take advantage of the shorter drive time that our current location allowed us. After looking around we decided on Lake Vermillion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park because it was an easy hike that would have fun things for the kids to explore afterwards.

We had a slow start to our morning, even taking the time to make a hot breakfast. Biff was excited that he was actually given the opportunity to cook his own eggs and toast. He’s getting so big!

We took several back country roads to the park and it was quite bumpy, which only added to the fun. Passing through Tower, MN we noted a fun restaurant that had an ice cream parlor attached to it and made plans to stop later. Driving into the park, we immediately noticed the structures that were the main attraction for the park.

Everyone wanted a quick bathroom break after our bumpy ride so we stopped at the visitor center to take care of business. Of course we needed to take a moment to look around because something this exciting is far too tempting for the kids.

With the promise of finding more cool mine information, rocks, and a farewell stop at the visitor center we headed out. As we walked past the entrance to the mine, the temperature dropped significantly, only to climb back up once we passed the entrance. The kids were bummed that we were not going into the mine itself but it would have been a 1 1/2 hour trip, with significantly lower temperatures that we were just not dressed for. We promised that we would be back someday just to tour the mine. Satiated with this idea, for now, we all headed out and away from the throngs of people.

The first portion of the trail took us through a parking lot, the park headquarters, and unmarked buildings designated for park employee use. I was starting to get worried that we would be on a mostly paved path for the majority of our trip when Avenza directed us towards the woods.

**Side note – the trail is not well marked for the first portion and having a downloaded map was quite helpful. I would definitely recommend downloading a map ahead of time because we encountered a few areas that were not especially well marked and previously we have found ourselves searching for the correct route on other trails and this is not fun for anyone.

The kids were well rested and excited to finish up the hike so they could check out the cool buildings and visitor center upon our successful completion of the hike. They were sprinting around us, yelling and giggling about farts, butts, and Daddy Tree.

Not too far into our hike we encountered the first of the old mine structures. It was unclear exactly what it was due to lack of signs but we imagined it was another entrance to the mine or an air shaft. Either way, it was pretty cool to imagine what the area looked like when the mine was active.

Progressing further into the woods, it was apparent that few people actual take to the trail in this park. While the mine is definitely the biggest attraction at the park, it is unfortunate that people do not venture the short 2.5 miles to experience what else the park has to offer. That being said, it was nice being out in the woods by ourselves.

We noticed a few fenced off areas along the way and could only speculate as to why the areas were fenced off. Our best guess was that they were keeping folks away from potentially dangerous or unsteady areas, which seems to have proven to be true. We found another such fenced off area and noted the steep drop-off that followed the fence. I wish we knew more about what these areas were used for and how they were formed.

We are always on the lookout for cool rocks and Combo was especially excited to point out this beauty!

Biff was starting to get a bit antsy at this point. We are nearing the end of our friendly weather hiking season and have been taking EVERY opportunity we have to get out and explore, which means less time for playgrounds and traditional kid fun. Of course the kids go along with the hiking (and have fun along the way) because they know it makes me happy but they do start to get a bit stir crazy towards the end of the season. Couple that with the fact that Combo and Biff have been spending a TON of time together and you get sibling squabbles (to say the least). Grandma Goober decided Biff could use a new Superman cape made out of the sweatshirt that he had gotten too hot to wear. This definitely helped to boost his spirits and lessening the squabbles. Nice work Grandma!

The entrance to the park was full of tourists everywhere, flip-flops on foot and cameras in hand. Parking was scarce and families were bull dozing one another to get to the next item to explore. Walking away from all that chaos, we found ourselves on a peaceful trail with only plants, trees, bugs, animals, and birds as our hiking companions. Much better! It was so peaceful on the trail that you would not believe that the throngs of people were just a short distance away.

Soon we noticed paper on the ends/tips of baby pine trees and began to wonder why would someone do that? Then we noticed that the trail was covered with the paper tipped trees so they must have been placed there by the park rangers. Were these newly planted trees? Trees they wanted to track? What purpose did the paper serve? It is a mystery we have yet to unravel, so if you have an idea, please let us know!

Minnesota during the early fall season is absolutely gorgeous, as the leaves change to brilliant colors of yellow, red and orange. The best part is that the leaves change at different times, depending where on the state you are. Combo pointed out some plants that were changing colors and we began to talk about an upcoming trip to Duluth and later to the Temperance River (further up the North Shore) where we would be sure to encounter beautiful colors. Mother nature is impressive in so many different ways and I revel in the opportunity to soak it all in.

Biff continued to have some issues along the way but still found ways to entertain himself. Unfortunately for Grandma Goober, he chose an opportunity to stick his head right against her bottom – being a butt-head (see what he did there? pretty clever). Taking it all in stride, Grandma Goober yelled out that she wished she had the fart of all farts to let loose!

Ploughing (Grandma Goober – get it?) forward, we sang Daddy Tree and Grandma Tree to entertain ourselves. Grandma Goober was surprised with this newest version of a Christmas classic, but I think she liked it deep down.

Before we knew it we were at the password. Biff had spotted it in the distance, with Combo following close behind. Oh the excitement! Finding the passwords is definitely a motivator for the kids, as they love to be the first one at the sign. If you are just starting to hike, this might be a good way to get them interested. It gives them an incentive and an end goal. We used to provide a special treat for the one that found the password first but have now made it a collective goal – as long as we all make it, we all get a treat. Treats are essential folks…ESSENTIAL.

Shooting off of the marked trail was a spur trail (not marked for use but clearly others had taken it). I paused for a moment and told Combo that I thought something cool was at the end of the trail. Combo definitely wanted to check it out but because we work to never stray from the trail (if we can avoid it) we continued on, much to her disappointment. BUT we soon came to a marked spot on the trail that showcased just where the spur trail went! Good things come to those that wait and follow Leave No Trace rules.

This marked the last of the trail winding through the woods. The rest of the trail followed the road that led to the parking lot and was a steady uphill pull. This was the only portion of the hike that concerned us, as cars traveled the road and some drove a little too quick for comfort but we have all walked in our neighborhoods right? Along the way, Biff found a cool treasure on the road and stopped to examine it for several minutes.

We reached the end of the trail and that is where exploring the mine structures began. The kids were anew with energy and we could hardly keep up with them as they ran from site to site. We indulged their fervor to race to see everything as they have been such great sports hiking across the state this summer.

We did make them slowdown to check out the map so they could know exactly what we were looking at. Combo examined the map carefully, while Biff was more flippant about it and eager to move on.

Here is the Engine House – the size of the machinery housed within was absolutely incredible!

The Conveyor Belt and Headhouse was definitely a favorite because it gave the kids an opportunity to explore, climb, duck and dive.

The Crusher House was a Biff favorite because he loves “Blaze and the Monster Machines” and the antagonist is named Crusher. He was pumped to see just where Crusher lived…we did not have the heart to break it to him that this was not the case.

The Drill House was cool because we could actually touch the machines and tools. The kids were surprised that everything was SO HEAVY.

Our last stop was just outside of the Drill House where we learned that this was declared a National Registered Historical Monument. Pretty awesome!

On our way home we stopped at Benchwarmer’s (Tower, MN) for appetizers and ice cream. The food was amazing and the service was delightful – a perfect end to our adventure.

And of course, Biff ended the night feeding Goober. Now you know who Grandma and Grandpa are named after:)

That’s it for this adventure – I hope you enjoyed following us on our adventure! Thank you to all that have taken the time to follow this blog – I appreciate it more than you know. If we help even one family take the plunge and get out there on the trail, our goal has been met. As always, please let us know if there is a trail or park that you would like us to check out and we will! We love new adventures and challenges. Take care!

ALERT: We now have an email address where you can contact us for questions, feedback, recommendations, etc. We would love to hear from you! hikingwithkids@outlook.com

Big Bog State Recreation Area – Waskish, MN 08/31/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – No issues. Feel free to let the kids run wild, we sure did!
  • The Trail – Short walk around a pond followed by a boardwalk. It is actually the longest boardwalk in the United States!!
  • Trail Conditions – Packed dirt and then boardwalk that winds through a really incredible bog!
  • Bugs and Pests – None. You would think on a boardwalk there would be biters but we did not get chomped on by anything.
  • Plants – So many cool species of fungi, trees and flowers!
  • Bathrooms – Outhouses at the trailhead.
  • Cell Service – Sketchy.

Trail Information:

  • Length – 2.1 miles
  • Moving Time – 00:52:07
  • Elevation Gain – 7 feet
  • Difficulty – EASY

Highlights:

  • Combo – Seeing the spiders!
  • Biff – Walking Minnie!
  • Blaze – N/A
  • Ripper – World Ploughing Contest!!

This was the second hike on our Fantasy Football Weekend endeavor! So…we came across a sign that notified us that we would be entering an area with “heavy” event congestion…hmmm weird in this area right? We drove for a minute more and came across this. Both Grandma Goober and I looked at each other at the same time with a look like – what?!

When we reached the park, Grandma Goober found a sign that identified some of the mushrooms that we saw! Super cool!

We made a quick stroll around half of a pond, promising the kids that we would make it to a boardwalk and “easy street”.

We have been on several boardwalks in our time but this was the most maintained and scenic boardwalk that we have encountered to date.

We felt completely OK with letting them run their behinds off! The people that we encountered along the boardwalk were OK with it too. They simply asked if Combo and Biff belonged to me and if it was OK for them to keep charging ahead. It is nice when people look out for your kids and especially nice when they do it in a way that does not shame you for letting them be kids. Continue on my little hikers!

The boardwalk had several Interpretive Signs along the way that told us all about the parks history and the plants and animals that we could see along the way. The kids really enjoyed stopping to check all of these out and used them as a stopping point for their running. It worked out quite nicely for those of us that did not want to run. Minnie was starting to get a little tired at this point.

When we started the boardwalk I was little nervous that Minnie would have trouble with the terrain but I am happy to report that she was a CHAMP! Usually surfaces that have holes in them make her quite nervous but today she was in rare form and continued on ahead. She’s a good girl (and currently curled up at my feet as I write this – I think she was tuckered out with all of her hiking LOL).

We encountered a Pine Tree that was the absolute softest Pine Tree I have ever encountered. Even Combo thought it was soft when she touched it’s needles. Grandma Goober thought that it was the perfect Charlie Brown Christmas Tree:) These were everywhere along the boardwalk and if you have any idea as to what they are, I would love to know!

And we were able to find more mushrooms on this trail! BUT they were way bigger than Franz Jevne!

Combo and Biff even gave the piggy back ride another chance. I guess doing a couple different short trails is really in their wheel house. I should note that they fought like cats and dogs each time we were in the car. I mean really fought – to the point I had to pull over and give them a harsh talking to. But when we were on the trail they were encouraging and seemed to actually enjoy being around one another. Hiking is good for the soul, I tell ya!

The kids continued to run and Minnie continued to be a trooper as we took in the views of the Bog. The views continued to change throughout. At times we were surrounded by trees and at other times we were in the mist of what would have been a prairie if it was not a bog. Grandma Goober told us that in some areas the bog is 15 feet deep!

And Biff decided he wanted a picture with Mom – thanks buddy!

And after Biff stopped with a photo for me he decided that he should take charge of Minnie. So, Minnie usually pulls like a bull – I have to hook her to the straps on my hiking pack because it hurts my hand too much. But for some reason, she is SO gentle with the kids. It really is amazing. I have even taken her to the group homes that I have supervised and consulted in and she is a completely different dog. I think she has a sixth sense or something that let’s her know when pulling is OK and when it is not.

Combo took a break as Biff ran on ahead with Minnie. We stopped to check out some crazy spider webs that were in the shape of cones, along the way. We were a little nervous that the spider would jump out at us but they didn’t!

And while we took the time to fall back from Grandma Goober and Biff we found a Pitcher Plant and a cool flower! Seriously the flora and fauna in this recreation area does not disappoint!

As we neared the end, Combo and I wondered just how far this bog reached (70 by 30 miles I later learned).

Again the kids were super excited that we had reached the turn around point of the “trail” and were in super good spirits as we checked everything out. They especially enjoyed the free park “binoculars” where they could see “everything”.

On the way back Biff continued to take the lead on Minnie and several people commented on how great the “old girl” was doing. Little do they know how much spunk she really has in her!

The bog really was amazing and I want to go back again to be able to see even more of what it had to offer. This would be a great introduction to hiking for the small people!

And last but not least, we found TURTLES!!

Thanks for joining us! Again, if you have any parks or trails that you would like us to check out or review, let me know (comment below). We are willing and excited to travel ANYWHERE!! Happy Hiking Folks!

Franz Jevne State Park – Birchdale, MN 08/31/2019

Kid Perspective:

  • Running Wild – Let them stretch their legs and take off. There were no areas of concern on this trail.
  • The Trail – Pleasant. It was heavily wooded and the views of Canada were pretty awesome.
  • Trail Conditions – No mud, downed trees, etc.
  • Bugs and Pests – Some mosquitoes but they did not bug (haha) us. A friend of mine visited this park last summer and said that the wood ticks and mosquitoes were TERRIBLE. I think it would be wise to plan your trip accordingly.
  • Plants – Lots and lots of mushrooms!!
  • Bathrooms – We encountered three outhouses. Two were along the road on the way to the trailhead and the other was located within the campground (trailhead was in between two campsites). The location of the restrooms definitely was not ideal because we were not able to stop before we headed out.
  • Cell Service – Sketchy but enough to use my GPS to make it to the next park:)

Trail Information:

  • Length – 1.54 miles
  • Moving Time – 00:49:27
  • Elevation Gain – 117 feet
  • Difficulty – EASY

Highlights:

  • Combo – Seeing Canada
  • Biff – Finding Clams and throwing rocks in the water
  • Blaze – N/A
  • Ripper – I am beginning to sound like an old record but getting out and exploring new places and being with my family.

This trip was a little different this time around. We made the trek up to Bigfork, MN because Dad had a Fantasy Football draft planned for the 31st. The kids and I have tagged along to these in the past but have never really found them terribly exciting so this time we decided to head out and explore. What is more, Grandma Goober (Dad’s Mom) actually had the weekend off so we decided she should join in on the fun with us.

**When Combo was little, she had a really hard time distinguishing between our parents and decided to call them by their animals’ names. Dad’s parents are Grandma and Grandpa Goober, after their cat Goober. And my parents are Grandma and Grandpa Sadie after their late dog Sadie (such a kind a sweet soul – we all miss her dearly).

On our way out we drove for a long ways on the Canadian/United States border. We could see Canada often, just across the river. It was really cool! Another thing to note – Grandma Goober has lived in Bigfork over 20 years and had never been to this portion of the state – and it was just a 2 hour drive. Hiking takes you to places that you would never think to explore but are sure glad that you did!

We encountered several markers with “US” on one side and latitude and longitude markings on the other. We could only speculate that this marked the border for the United States but really we have no idea. If anyone knows, I would love to hear from you!

The trail quickly brought us close to the river and we were treated to views of Canada! The kids REALLY wanted to get into the water but practicing Leave No Trace, we told them that they would need to wait for the boat launch or a portion of the trail that led directly to the water. Of course, this was disappointing for them but also motivating because they continued to race on ahead trying to find where the trail met the water.

I usually do not bring my dog, Minnie, hiking with us because she has some serious allergies to biting bugs (think horrible swelling that closes her throat) and terrible hips. Today she gave us a look that said “Please take me with you” and how could we say no? She was a trooper!

For whatever reason, Combo had decided that she wanted to give Biff a piggy-back ride on the trail today. The first go round did not work so well, as we were going down a hill and Combo explained that it felt like she was going to tumble forward onto her face. But, the next few tries turned out to be quite successful and both had a blast!

Now anyone that has hiked with Minnie knows that she HAS to be in the lead and if she is not in the lead she will pull until she cannot pull anymore. She actually makes herself cough because she pulls so hard! We have tried everything but to no avail. We adopted Minnie when she was 8 months old and have since learned that her first owners were abusive and neglectful (according to the Vet’s that have worked with her and examined her teeth and body). That being said, she is quite neurotic but she really loves her family and she was in her prime out hiking today!

This was the park of mushrooms! We saw so many different kinds ALL over the trail. The kids really loved finding them and pointing them out. They loved it so much that the next day we went and bought a book about mushrooms so we could start to identify them on our own. Side note – we have a friend, “Hot Mayo” (I do not know that she would like me using her real name here so I will use her trail name) that I frequently send pictures of mushrooms to in hopes of her being able to identify them for us. Hot Mayo and her wife are avid Mushroom hunters and always know just what we are looking at and maybe someday we can join them on a Mushroom hunt!

As we continued on, more piggy backs took place and talk about being so close to Canada. We all decided that we should probably bring passports next time so that we can venture into Canada and check it out. Dad and I really want to take the kids to Banff, Canada and Combo thinks that is OK because she has a friend that vacations with her family in Canada each summer. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Before we knew it, we were at the password! Boom! Mind you, the kids have been doing some bigger and harder miles in Montana as of late so this hike felt like a walk in the park. They were astounded that we found the password so quickly!

**Side Note – When hiking with kids, the MN Hiking Club is an awesome way to keep them motivated. They get to look for the MN Hiking Club signs along the way and eventually they are able to find the password. Then, as you get enough miles logged in your MN Hiking Club book (we are at 132.8 miles), you get cool patches along the way. Once done with all of the MN Hiking Club trails, you get a plaque – these rewards have definitely kept the kids motivated!

When I showed the kids where we were on the map as we left the password, they were astounded that we were almost done with the trail and took off like nobodies business. It’s fun taking an easy stroll through the park and watching the kids thrive!

As we continued on we saw trees that were attacked by Woodpeckers and some odd markings on various trees. One thing I am proud of, is that my kids stop to look at the different things they find in nature. Sometimes this makes our hike take longer but that’s OK. They are enjoying nature and having fun finding new treasures.

So, the pictures where we could see Canada earlier were actually just a couple hundred feet from the Walk-In Site 15 at the park. This would have been the COOLEST place to camp and we plan to make a trip back. We are thinking sometime when the leaves are in peak color – fall.

One of the things that I love most about hiking is that I get to spend time encouraging my kids and finding new conversations which encourage them to continue on. Now, Combo is at the age where she often picks on her brother and can be a bit pessimistic. Today we were able to connect and find our happy zone!

Our hike had concluded and after two stops at two different outhouses (the first was way too buggy and stinky for Biff), we made it to the boat launch where the kids could play in the water. We decided that if our hands touched the water, we were touching Canada – it’s close right? We also found some cool mussel shells on the beach!

That’s it for this park – we have one more for the 31st coming…stay tuned. It was wonderful to have Grandma Goober experience our hiking life (WE HAD SO MUCH FUN)! I hope you enjoyed reading as much as we had exploring!

**My Mom (Grandma Sadie) is going to get me for this but here goes. Grandma Sadie is in her 70’s and has had a long history of some serious health problems. Well…I talked to her the day before this hike and told her that I wanted to experience a hike with her and that she should get out and start walking to prepare herself for a hike with me and the kiddos. I am super happy to report that she has been getting out and walking EACH DAY since and I am so unbelievably proud of her! This woman has overcome SO MANY challenges in her life and she refuses to let them stop her. Keep going Mom! You can do this and soon we will be on the trail together where we belong!!