We spent the first half of yesterday doing nothing, recovering from the epic trip we had endured the day before. Eventually we loaded five kids in the van and headed east. We got everyone slushies at Sonic and sent Rachel’s youngest off to spend the evening with his grandma, then we took the four older children to Frozen Head State Park. One month earlier, Rachel and I had hiked these trails kid-free. Ahhh… it had just rained, the water dripped from the leaves, the sky was clear, the air was cool, birds were singing… peaceful shared solitude. There would be no peaceful replay on this hike, not with four small children. The six of us hiked two miles. We saw waterfalls, and butterflies and rocks that look like hippopotamuses. We sang marching songs and Sunday school songs and songs about the slushies we had left behind. There was of course a moderate level of whining and occasional tumbles and skinned knees, but all in all it was an enjoyable adventure.

After the hike, we let the kids play on the playground. Jeremiah was excited to find no one else there, he said he likes peaceful playgrounds like that. The children quickly turned the area into a medieval adventure complete with castles and queens and knights and dragons. Whenever the fierce three year old dragon would storm the castle, Sarah would sound the alarm yelling, “Route 66, Route 66!”

Rachel and I climbed straight up one of those poles on the playground equipment… you know the firefighter pole that kids slide down and you wonder if they’re going to slip and break their heads? Yes, we climbed straight up that thing just to see if we could. And we can.

After all the dragons were vanquished, we headed to the creek. Ahh cold water on bare feet. Rachel and I walked up the creek heaving boulders in our attempt to catch crawdads. Yes, two grown women spent the evening crawdad hunting while their children hopped from rock to rock. Rachel carefully picked up flat rock after flat rock trying not to muddy the water. She wore a skirt while she did this. She always wears a skirt. I would think it crazy that I’ve become such good friends with someone who never wears pants since I of course never wear dresses. But I can’t complain because I have, after thirty years, found a friend who will not only go hiking with me but who will teach me how to catch crawdads.

After the creek adventure, we let the kids put on a show at the outdoor amphitheater. There was much dancing and singing and what seemed like a comedy routine but was more likely an impromptu argument on stage. We ended the evening with three medium pizzas from Domino’s and a visit with Rachel’s family. I’ve now met four of her five brothers. Jeremiah was highly impressed with Luke, who plays the guitar, walks on his hands and rarely wears a shirt.

Finally we headed home and crashed after a very, very, very good day. I’m so happy to be here. So thankful for good friends, who are in fact actually family.