Back to the Mountains

Last weekend we FINALLY got back to NH! Winter was packed with traveling for the holidays, returning to work (for me), back surgery for Mike and then recovery. Now that Mike's able to be a bit more active, it was time for us to get "away" for the weekend to our vacation home and take a nice mountain hike as a family.

Long before I was even entertaining the thought of getting pregnant, Mike found a hiking baby backpack at Marshall's. He has a bit of a discount store addiction and loves finding a bargain. Even though it seriously freaked me out (and made me embarrassed to admit it), I let him buy the backpack for us to have when baby did come along. So, last weekend, we gave it it's first big use.

Friday night, after I got off work, we drove up to our place in NH. Over breakfast Saturday morning, I picked out two good potential hikes for us, one about an hours drive away and the other only about 20 minutes away....both in the same direction. Since having a baby makes you plan your whole life "by ear," we would decide which one to take en route. On the road, it became apparent that Dylan was not going to fall asleep in the car (even though it was around the time he usually goes for his morning nap) and was not going to be happy in the car awake for a long period of time, so we decided on the closer destination, Mt. Pemigewasset in Franconia Notch.

The weather was absolutely perfect hiking weather, low 60s and partially sunny. We worked hard hiking up the mountain, especially me. Dylan's growing bigger by the day and it was no easy feat carrying him up that mountain. But, the backpack worked awesome so it was at least comfortable to carry him. At the base, there were a few patches of snow left in shaded areas off the path, but as we raised in altitude, there was a good base of slushy snow still working on melting away. It made for a slow ascent to the top.

About 20 minutes from the top, Dylan finally drifted off to sleep in the backpack. Once we hit the open ledge at the peak, the wind was whipping so hard that it startled him awake. So much for a good nap! We found a spot at the top blocked from the wind and sat down to eat lunch. Dylan was a little dazed from the rude awakening, but, as always, was a good sport. He had some lunch and was kept very entertained by a travel tissue pack and our hiking poles.

Lunch Time Entertainment

After lunch, a few pictures were taken at the top, we started our trek back down the mountain.

Mike and Dylan - Open Ledge, Peaks in the Background and Snow Remnants

Me, Dylan, The Tissue Pack and the View

Another Hiker Took a Family Shot (with tissue pack)

But We Still Had to Have the Self Portrait (tissue pack is in other hand)

Obviously, I'm more careful then careful when I've got my baby with me. I was worried about the snow on the trail on the way down, but it was somehow easier on the descent then the ascent. However, I apparently didn't clear one tree branch. Even though there wasn't a mark on Dylan, that branch irritated the over tired baby into a mini meltdown. Sometime during this meltdown is when he finally let go of the tissue pack (and we accidentally littered on the mountain....oops!). We tried comforting him while in the pack...that didn't work. Then we kept moving (he normally calms down when we're on the go)...that didn't work. So, it was out of the pack and into Daddy's arms. We kept moving and finally he calmed down enough to sit down and nurse. Then, he fell into a nice deep sleep. Sometimes, we have the prepared parent thing down pretty well. Saturday was one of those days. We had a back up carrying plan in hand in case he tired of the backpack. It was better suited for him napping, so we put him in that and continued on our way.

Mike and Napping Dylan

Stream with Patches of Snow

After about a half hour nap, Dylan woke to enjoy the last part of our trip and was a happy camper again. Sleep does a kid wonders!

He Loved Watching the Water (In This Picture, From a Bridge)

This trip to NH came with some great animal sightings. When driving up the road to our condo complex Friday night, we saw a small grey fox run across the road. And, after turning into our drive, we got a good view (stopped and put our headlights on him) of another grey fox. On the way up the mountain on Saturday, we saw some Moose scat and hoof prints. Then, right at the very end of our hike, we got to watch a red squirrel stripping a pine cone to get at the seeds. I'd never seen one of these little guys before. He was very cute!

Red Squirrel

After our 4 hour hike, we headed back to the condo for some dinner, rest and a little cleaning. Dylan was eager to help with the cleaning...he was seriously obsessed with the vacuum. It entertained him for a while.

Sunday, we headed back mid morning and stopped for some shopping at the outlet malls. We made it home early enough to have a relaxing evening at home. Great weekend with the family!