Old Speck - Grafton Notch State Park, ME

I just wanted to post a quick note about our hike this weekend. This hike had a number of firsts for us:

• Renee wanted to have a break from hiking and spent it in the garden instead. It was just me and the three kids - a first for us. This is not something our family wants to do very often, but it was a well needed break for mom. The worst part about this is that I don't have any beautiful photos to attach to this post - there is no way I am lugging that huge DSLR up the mountain just to take a crappy photo (I just don't have Renee's eye or skill!).

• This was our first 4000 footer, and the fourth highest mountain in Maine. We have now officially started our quest to get into the 4000 footers club... we don't know how long it will take (or if we will ever complete it), but it is giving us something to work towards. The view was spectacular and the kids were really excited to be doing something this big. They really felt like they were accomplishing something.

• This was the longest hike the kids have ever done - 7.7 miles (round-trip). I am especially proud of our youngest, Brienne who is 6. She trucked through the whole thing without any complaint until the last half-mile before the parking lot. Up until this point, the longest we had done was 6 miles, but on extremely flat coastal terrain.

I knew this hike was going to be a bit of a stretch for the kids, but I was interested in seeing how they would respond. One of the most encouraging things for me was that they took the challenge head on, and it actually fueled their enthusiasm for future treks. At one point, about 2/3rds up to the summit, my oldest daughter said "I am really starting to like hiking. I liked it before, but now I am actually really enjoying it". I was not expecting that! When we got near the summit, they actually ran full-tilt and cheered when they got to the top.

I guess the moral of the story is that you probably shouldn't underestimate the capabilities of kids... they may just surprise you!