winter hike

This space here has seemed like a far off distant life I used to live.  Where did I even find the time to post so much?  I found myself going through this blog and the previous one last night and I felt kind of melancholic.  My kids have grown up so much.  Amelia is in high school!  In a way, when the kids were littler than they are now, only a year ago even, life seemed simpler to me.  Cuter almost and most definitely more tender.  There seemed to be more art going on, although much of our days are spent drawing, painting and being creative. It's just different. We stayed home a lot!  These days we are involved in so many activities outside of the house.

One thing I can say is that I've found my home school groove.  Five years ago when I started this journey of teaching my kids at home, I really struggled with what kind of homeschooler I was.  Was I an unschooler?  I kind of was/am.  Was I a Waldorfy kind of mom?  Most definitely I feel drawn to that style.  I can't even remember how many years I've been homeschooling but it's definitely been at least 5.  I think it takes that long to feel confident. If you would have told me that I'd be homeschooling my daughter through high school, I would have laughed in your face!

We went for our hike this weekend along a canyon just east of Reno.  We'll be skiing soon and we won't be able to do much of it in the next couple of months.  It was a beautiful day, sunny but cold enough to need layers the first mile.

I'd like to get back into posting pictures and words here.  At the moment I feel a bit rusty.  But, I'm going to give it a try.

mountain cool

This is up in the Sierras and part of the Pacific Crest Trail.  We've been here many times and have backpacked on this same trail.  It's a beautiful spot and because it's up in the mountains, it's cooler than the valley floor.  Summer hiking has officially started!

aloha

Three years ago Jonathan, Amelia and Solomon went up to this this special place for a few days of backpacking.  Eli and I stayed home because he was four and I wasn't sure he was ready for it.  But the last two years Eli and I have gone and he's been a good sport about it.

Actually, I've dug my heals and have made up all kinds of excuses for not going.  This year is was the weather.  It had been really hot down in the valley and I told Jonathan that I couldn't possibly leave my garden for a few days.  I thought it would be best to go up there in the fall when the weather was cool.  Cooler for backpacking and my garden.  Jonathan then explained that the lake is dammed up and would be very low if we went later.  I caved and asked my mom to water.

As the backpacking supplies were being brought in the house and we looked at what we had, I kind of panicked again.  We're not fully equipped to go backpacking easily because we don't all have light weight sleeping bags and other equipment.  We just have to make due with whatever we have.

I started realizing every time I go through this when we go overnight somewhere, even if it's car camping,  I just have to push through it.  So, I did the shopping, we all got our packs ready and we left.

It's always an adventure.  When we got to Echo Lake it had started sprinkling.  The perfect weather for packing up the mountain.

 We take the water taxi up Echo Lake to shave off 3 miles from the trek.

When we got to the dock where the boat left us, Jonathan's heel on his hiking boots fell off. So, the kids and I waited while he took the boat back to find some shoe goo at the little supply store or get his tennis shoes from the car.  He ended up getting his other shoes while the kids and I stayed at the dock and watched the minnows and the raindrops on the lake.

This is the trail.  It's rocky and steep and lots of work.  Happily the kids bounce up the hill and people are amazed, even stopping us asking how we get our kids to do this kind of stuff.  I guess it's just doing it a lot.  The kids love it now.

The first thing of course when we get up there is trying to find the perfect spot.  The lake was pretty low and we found a spot that last year was under a few feet of water.  Next time though I want to try another part of the lake that's along the edge just to avoid day hikers.  After all, I think the reason why I enjoy backpacking is to be by ourselves.  It's such a beautiful spot as you can see.

Then after we get our tent all set up, it's time to filter water to replenish our camelbaks and to start cooking.  We always have noodles the first night with some sort of vegetable.  We boiled some broccoli and used the water for our hot chocolate.  The kids were calling it broccolate and Eli sprinkled the cups with fairy dust.  Camping magic!

The next day, after shaky sleep, we explored and swam and spread mud all over each other!  Well, except for the adults.  We try and keep clean because we're no fun!

For two hours the next afternoon it rained.  We stayed inside and read.  But the sun came out eventually and we dried everything out and made dinner.

We left on the third day.  It was warm and we were thankful to have had such great weather coming up the mountain.  We can't wait for next year but I think Christmas might be backpacking themed!  Our stove took a dumper and our 13 year old water filter doesn't seem to be working too well either!

gone to tahoe

I'm so excited and nervous to be going away on my own, without my kids for a few days! 

See you when I get back!

 

These we took a few weeks ago while walking on Evans Creek.

a day of learning at the river

This river is the heart of my town and I think that is why we like to go there.  The other day when we decided to get out of the house, this particular place is where they wanted to go.  "You know mom, the place by the river with the bridge?"  The spring and fall are the perfect time of year to try all the places close to home because it's not so hot outside.  Although it was pretty hot there that day, we hustled to the water where all the shade was.

I think best parts of homeschooling is the freedom we have.  We're not restricted to our home and we can get out in nature any time we need a change of scenery.  The kids are just so happy to be out and about on an adventure and we don't know exactly what we'll be learning but moments always present themselves.  Like for instance, we found this garter snake by the water.  It didn't move away, I think because it must have just eaten something.  We just watched each other for several minutes before it got scared and moved on.  We came home and identified it and learned about what it eats and it's habitat.
 

Another topic that came up during our walk was the seasons.  Being outdoors gives my kids all kinds of opportunities to ask questions.  We've been to this particular place in the winter when the river is frozen over and we've come here in the fall when the leaves are turning a rainbow of colors.

My boys, I love them so much (and my girl too).  This picture I took of Eli to show how he dresses himself.  Not really how he dresses but how proud I am of him for his independence. His shirt is inside out and his pants are backward but he couldn't care less. And really, I couldn't either.  I'm not one of those fussy moms who has to have my kids looking perfect all the time.  I'm lucky most days if I can get them dressed before breakfast.  And some days I just aim for lunch.  Another benefit of homeschooling is that we don't have to rush out the door in the morning.  The earliest we have commitments is about 10am and that's just fine with me.

Do you love clouds?  I love clouds. Once, when my son was getting treatments with an osteopathic doctor, she was helping him with strategies to deal with stress.  Having a learning delay can be very stressful and while I was talking with her after the appointment, she told me a strategy she told him to let go of stress.  She said that whenever he felt overwhelmed to take a deep breath and blow his worries to the clouds.  "They will take all of your fears and anxiety," she told him.  I thought about that when I saw these clouds.
 

We are savoring these last weeks of spring, enjoying the birth of our vegetable garden and looking forward to summer when we will have to head up to the mountains to escape the heat. I'm exhaling big time right now.  Life is good.