Camping Adventures Part III

Our last day we decided to hike the longer trail that looped the back side of the mountain (large hill) around Robbers Cave. We knew it would take most of the morning or more so I packed a full lunch in the back pack with waters, diapers and wipes. 

You have to drive to the other side of the state park to get to the trails by the Cave. On our ride over there we passed the stables where the big boys and I had gone for a trail ride on Tuesday. Somehow the discussion began about the difference between horses, donkeys and mules. Daddo explained how a horse and a donkey can make a mule but mules cannot mate to make anything. 

Cole proudly announced, ‘Well if I was a horse I’d never kiss a donkey.’ 

None of us really knew where to go from there. Thankfully we pulled up at the trail. 

The first 5 of us entered the trail eagerly ready for a good hike. The 6th and smallest member froze standing back on the pavement and began her wide-mouth screaming and crying. Knowing full well we couldn’t carry her the entire hike which was going to be at least 3 miles, I forced her into the trail holding my hand. The boys were already way ahead of us and she was crying while she walked. But she was walking. Until we came to a bunch of large rocks on the trail. Then I stopped, kneeled down to her and made her a deal that we would later regret. I told her if we saw rocks then we would carry her. But if there were no rocks she had to walk and hold our hand. She answered with ‘Mam mam’ (yes ma’am) and then this happened. 

  And she kept her side of the bargain and did a lot of this too. 

Since the trail was on the side of a mountain, 90% of the hike had Daddo carrying her on his shoulders and me toting her on my hip. We both saw it as a good workout and still enjoyed the beautiful scenery and weather. The boys all hiked on not letting any of their sister’s drama bother their experience. 

On part of our hike a river flowed alongside the trail and the boys went down to see it up close. 

Right after this picture and after I said don’t slip in, Cole’s right foot and calf splashed into the icy water. He stubbornly said it wasn’t that cold and he hiked another 2 miles with a squishy shoe. 

For a short part of the hike we found ourselves behind the horse back riding group. Our warnings to each other of upcoming manure in our path echoed through the woods, ‘Watch out for poop!’ 

‘There’s poop!’

Coincidentally not long later our own youngest boy had to do a little of his own pooping on the side of the trail. That calls for some serious squating maneuvering to keep the pants and shoes dry from any splattering pee. Thanks to some baby wipes and zip locks in our bag, and a healthy little boy, we were quickly back on the trail. After 2 miles, we came to Lost Lake which is where we told our crew we’d be stopping for lunch. 

They were so happy to see this resting landmark. 

We found a primitive camp spot complete with logs propped for sitting and an old fire pit for our picnic lunch. 

The kids were super excited with their bellies full and just a mile left until we got to see the caves again. 

That last mile was incredibly rocky and a steep decline as we came around to the caves. 

I had carried CL and the back pack for a good part of the last mile so when we came up to the caves I was intending to head to the truck. Then the little girl got down and wanted to all of a sudden start walking on her own. I just thought she was like a horse getting close to the stable, but instead of going down toward the parking lot, she headed up toward the cliffs and caves. We all decided to climb to the top for a last look, this time taking the harder ‘CCC’ path. Rhett, his brothers and Daddo went around the side of the caves and us girls went through the ‘Stone Corral’ then up the steep trail. As my arms and legs ached from toting a 35 lb weight while climbing hills, my girl was suddenly a fearless, determined climber. We met the boys at the top and the tired, sweaty, thirsty Jackson Crew snapped this photo to celebrate our incredible day of hiking. 

We all 6 climbed down the side of the caves and so happily jumped off the last rock next to the sidewalk leading to the parking lot. CL made it down all on her own. Rhett climbed down with one hand, refusing to let go of his water bottle for fear of a sibling drinking it all. He fell once or twice, never spilling a drip. 

Exhausted? Heck, our crazy kids stopped to pet three little Boston Terriers before making it to the truck. And the boys STILL wanted to go do the paddle boats at the main lake. We started at 10 am and came down the cliffs at 1:20. Our older legs were aching and shaking but how could we say no to a few minutes of paddle boats? Daddo offered to take CL back to the camper for her nap. He really knows the meaning of sacrifice. 

So the boys and I went and did the water activity. It was actually relaxing for Momma to sit in the back as the boys argued about which way to steer and pedal. Rhett and I both enjoyed the back seat view. 

Rhett and I got off sooner letting the big boys do some more paddling. He and I were both craving an icy snow cone. So we grabbed four of the cold treats for our hike back to the campsite. Yes still hiking. 

We ended our last day just hanging at the campground. We walked Sunni around, played ladder ball, threw the baseball, football and frisbee and kicked around the soccer ball. The night ended with one more scary story by the campfire to make sure the two littles would be easy to get to bed. Rhett begged for his bath and bed. I think the little guy was asleep before his head hit the pillow. 

And like when all of our camping trips come to an end, Daddo and I sat outside by the fire after all the kids were safe and clean in the camper and we discussed the possibility of staying ‘just one more night.’ 

If only we could.