Have you ever tried to keep a two-year-old still? If not, I’m sure you can imagine what fun it is.
Before our overnight to the hospital with Auggie, we had been planning a day trip to Flagstaff. I wanted to see the leaves changing and we wanted to get out in the cool air to hike. We decided that the cool air and forced rest (strapped in car seat, strapped in hiking pack, back to car seat) might be just what the Auggie boy needed.
Saturday morning we threw some stuff in the car and took off. That’s the best part about a day trip – light packing. We didn’t need as much which made getting out the door so much easier!
Excited to get there.
Perfect hiking weather.
Ready to go!
The destination: Red Mountain. The trail was 3 miles round trip and B walked the whole thing!
Counting tree rings
The trees changed from Pinons to Ponderosa Pines
B was really into the light layers. Notice she has two sweatshirts and a hat tied around her waist.
How could he pick just ONE stick?!
The trail winds through the a volcanic cinder cone. The gravel they are walking through was volcanic rock.
Can you see them way up in the middle?
This might be the best picture I’ve ever taken
This worked just fine on the way up. We didn’t think about how to get down….
We made it!
Exploring the Hoodoos
The hazards of baby wearing
Little different picture on the way home
We took the long way home through Sedona to catch a few more changing leaves. Totally worth the detour! Especially when a skeptical Peter declared “Slap a bumper sticker on the truck because I am a Leaf Peeper and I don’t care who knows it!”. Which was a hilarious way of saying that he was enjoying himself. I snort laughed for the next 2 miles.
As we pulled into Phoenix, we were welcomed home with one of the most amazing sunsets. A perfect end to a great day!
If you want to check it out, see the link below for directions. This was a fantastic hikes for kids – flat and lots of interesting things to keep them moving and exploring!
The Goon Room 