We are NOT an outdoorsy family

There, I've said it.  My family does not enjoy the great outdoors.  Actually, let me correct myself and say the conditions have to be absolutely perfect in order to take them outside and not hear any complaints.  The weather should be a little overcast (too much sun shining and it just gets in your eyes, you know?), absolutely no humidity and a light breeze would be preferred.  Anything above 73 degrees and you are going to hear how hot it is.  And, let me add, there should be no uphill elevation.  If all of the above conditions are met, you better hope that Jeff and the kids aren't the least bit hungry or thirsty.  Going more than 1 hour without a snack or drink handy is not possible for my Toppall team.  We are one well-quenched foursome. 

We attempted to return to one of my most favorite spots (Great Falls) and do a hike with two other families. 

We look like a happy bunch.  Soon, all will change!

Once the kids realized we weren't going to only climb the rocks, but actually follow a trail and enjoy getting some exercise, the complaining was non-stop.  It was train wreck being on the Gold Mine Loop with our friends.  Ian was not a happy camper.  Therefore, Jeff was a not a happy camper.  And, Sam quickly chimed in about being expected to actually walk and got a lift from Jeff on his shoulders.

Because if Jeff wasn't having enough fun, let's hike a few miles with Sam on his shoulders.  :)

 

 After about 50 minutes, we saw a jogger go by and stopped her.  The question we asked  -- how do we get out of here the fastest?   Are we better off finishing the loop or is there a faster exit on one of the Spur trails?   This runner was very nice and explained that our best option was to turn around and where to take a trail that broke off the loop we were on.   We said good-bye to our friends and hightailed it out of Great Falls. 

Ian, taking a break, but still complaining.

By the time we made our way back to the car, we ended up walking/hiking 3 miles.  If we stayed with our friends, we would've done the whole loop and that was 3.2 miles.  In between hearing the kids complain, I was really enjoying myself.  It was nice to be outside and moving.  Doing something active with the family is an increasing priority for me.  I don't want us to turn into four couch potatoes, unhealthy and dealing with weight issues.  I guess in the future we will have to better time when we go and what we do.

As we made our way to the car, Sam declared, "We are NEVER going to do that again.  Not even on Mother's day."   Wow!  Sounds so final, doesn't it?  To my delight (and surprise), Jeff answered her back with, "We can come back when the weather is a little cooler."    Yay!  Guess Jeff didn't hate it as much as we all thought.