handsful

Monday’s assignment…climb Grandfather Mountain.  Or, at least do some hiking.  We were keeping our options open. 

After seeing the otters, deer, and bears at the nature park, we headed to the Mile High swinging bridge – here they are looking over the edge at the parking lot. 

It was SO windy! 

This picture freaks me out. 

After the bridge, we headed to the trails.  Here they are deciding which way to go at a fork in the trail.  We chose the more difficult trail, with ropes and ladders.  Oh goody. 

Here’s a rope…they were very helpful with the steep, slippery spots. 

And, here is a ladder.  Very steep.  Lainey loved riding in the backpack, never complained or fussed about being scared at all.  Randy was a brute, carrying her the whole time.  He’s our hero. 

The last series of ladders, that took us to the top of McRae’s Peak.  See the ladder at the top?  That’s the one that I totally FROZE on back in ’94.  I eventually made it back then.  This time?  I chose to only climb that 1st ladder. 

I’m standing at the top of the first ladder, taking a pic of the kids who easily made it to the top.  Yea, kids! 

Here is Randy, climbing up the 1st ladder.  I told Randy that this picture would give the grandparents a major shock.  Everyone still with us?? 

We made the logical decision to both come down from the 1st ladder (which I totally FROZE on for a moment – coming down is SO much scarier than going up!).  Then, I stayed with Lainey while Randy climbed up to join the kids on the TOP.  They were SO excited to make it so far and they said the views were spectacular.  While we waited, Lainey decided to leave a bit of herself on Grandfather Mountain.  No pics of that.  heh heh…

Time to come down, down, down…

All total, we spent almost 3 hours on Grandfather Mountain, just the hiking / climbing part.  Randy’s shoulders and back were sore and my knees were toast.  The kids were fine.  So, why did they get to end their day doing this??

Great day.