playing in the back yard

{This is the mountain. This is not my photo.}

This isn't my back yard just yet, but it will be for at least 4 months beginning in May. From the very moment I saw Mesachie Mountain and learned it was climbable, it's been on my list of things to do.

Sharon invited me and my boys to join her and Elizabeth and their gaggle of boys for a visit and adventure since their boys' public school teachers were on strike. So after a quick and yummy lunch of homemade mac & cheese (and butternut squash puree, but you didn't hear that from me!) we headed out the door. We didn't tell them right away that we were setting out to climb a mountain. 8 little boys ranging in age from 3 to 9 years ... the endeavour could have been successful or not. We walked across the camp property, out onto some back roads, then on towards the trail at the base of the mountain. By this time Isaac and Max figured out where we were going and they shared their observation with all the other boys. There was murmuring about "are we really??" ... but they were all up for the challenge.

The package of Skittles Sharon brought along was

essential currency for keeping everyone motivated.

The trail starts with a gradual climb then leads into a narrow forest path.

Then comes a climb that's not so gradual, made a bit tricky for little

climbers by the loose dirt and rocks. {It's steeper than it looks!}

Through a few more little paths and we were at the top!

As we were admiring the view, this eagle came to check us out.

Not sure if he had his eye on our muffins or our small children.

I was so proud of my littles. Max pretty much ran the whole way up, Marty kept going despite a few slips, and did the whole thing on his own two legs. I felt bad that he wasn't wearing suitable footwear, but he did really well. He asked me to carry him several times, but I was able to distract and motivate him to keep going, and he did just that. Such a good little climber. At bedtime I told Marty "Goodnight, Mountain Climber", and he said the same thing back to me. I LOVE the fact that we were able to do this together, to see Max's big dream of climbing it come true, and to make a fantastic memory with two other Mamas. The next planned climb is in a few weeks with Paul and my sister and her family!

{Max's hand! I swoon!}

Jax got to see his new friend "Maffew" again, which was great to see.

They had quite a long chat as they walked the last bit of the trail together.