So, we are camping in one of the most beautiful sites in the National Park System, Lodgepole. Really, Space 154, is not to be believed with the running river and the tall pines, we had it all. Of course, after breakfast we had to hike to a gorgeous waterfall 2.0 miles away from where “Ole Rey” (our RV’s name, Thank You Maddy B) was resting.

The hike travelled along a gorgeous river that had huge slides, big pools and beautiful rapids. The hike was a continuous yet gentle uphill and the weather couldn’t have cooperated more. The younger boys ran up front, jumping off of fallen trees and climbing rocks along the way. My Big G is well-versed in convincing himself that he “can’t” do something or “isn’t” strong enough. All of which is categorically untrue as Big G is the innovative thinker who may not be the athletic powerhouse of some boys is the sensitive and imaginative thinker that will change the world; however, he still has to hike…

There were pains in his arches, hunger pangs that threatened to maim, and a loss of motor coordination induced by star alignment that threatened the hike at different stages. All the while, we plugged along (truthfully Dear Reader, I am not the best with whining and complaining in fact I have a great deal of patience to learn in this arena)… The long and short of it, Big G and I made it intact and happy (in the end) that we had both made it. We sat together with his little brother watching the power and beauty of nature and couldn’t have been more in awe. Big G ran back down the hill with his younger brother and pal without a thought of the energy expended. As a parent, I realized that sometimes pushing, okay let’s face it, requiring a child strongly to get out of their way is a lesson in perseverance and patience that I continue to need.