| Author |
Topic |
|
 God fearin' music packin' animal BBQin' funny trip reportin'.... cheese lovin' MH lover who skinny dips in Ling secret lakes
Somewhere between pomp & circumstance, British Columbia
Canada
1402 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 9:32 PM
|
You knew it was gonna happen eventually. After months of collecting kid sized gear, training sessions on snow-shoes, and many meals of slurpee's and carbs, it was time to break in the equipment and christen the last of my kids on her first over-nighter. Pippa (formerly known as 1/4 Pint (1/4 Pint wasn't "working for her")) was ready and willing to be eaten by bears, mosquitos, and the occasional sly kid-eating fox if it meant time on the trail with her Dad. We decided that Half-Pint should come as her mentor as she has been on her own epic Joffre adventure. Since Pippa's school buddy has been teaching her Polish, Poland lake would be our destination. (It should be noted that for some strange reason I tend to follow in Billy's footsteps. First Ling, then Drum and July Mountain, (which I summitted but he did not-ha), and now Poland.) Where I am I going next, Tim? 
All geared up and ready to go!
We cross the road and already someone is tired.
This might be a bad idea me thinks. 15 minutes later it happens. "When are we gonna get there?"
After a brief stop and a little fatherly advice "Ya know kids, with great effort comes great reward blah blah blah, or we could pack it in and sell your gear on ebay and use the proceeds to buy "Cheese Doodles" so you can be fat and never get a good husband." (ok, I never really said the part about selling the gear on ebay. )
Before you know it....
"Huzzah!"...
"Sorry to burst your bubble girls, but you "Huzzah'd" to early. Your not even half way and you haven't attained the summit. Ted Oliver would be rolling in his grave right now, if he were dead. Shame on you, now keep hiking.
And they did....happily.
 
They admired all the pretty flowers that makes the alpine so glorious this time of year, even though it is not yet in its full glory.
    
They were exceptional for most of the way and started to lose steam near the end, but like some sort of mirage a sign appeared it the distance...
 
As you can see, Pippa was crazy with excitement. We had made it to the lake in only 2..er..3...er...lots of hours. But hey, we made it and I was proud. (I never had my doubts they would make it, me on the other hand...)
 
While we roll into camp a couple of day-hikers pass us on the way out. As they pass we see and hear their "Bear Bells" jingling from their packs. Half-Pint gets a big grin on her face and whispers "Dad...dinner bells". I have trained her well.
We arrive at our campsite near the shelter, unload our stuff and i begin to set things up. The girls come back to tell me they have found Bigfoot tracks in the snow!
After some investigation I find the monster...
We all did our share to get the evening underway, like collecting fire-wood, filtering drinking water, or being goofy.(Being goofy is mandatory, not optional.)
We have some dinner and hot chocolate, then try a few different things with the camera.
  
"Poland Witch Project"...
The sun begins to set and our fire is almost out, it is time to visit the Sandman. Pippa is all tucked up in her new little TNF mummy bag, she is looking quite pensive. "Whattcha thinking about, Pippa?" 'Uhmm, Daaddy...if we were a bear family, would we come up here and eat us?" "No Sweetie", I reply, "If we were a bear family, we would go to the lodge and look for a pic-a-nic basket. Right Boo-boo?" Half-Pint doesn't miss a beat, "Right, Yogi!"
We awoke to sunshine and a choir or birds singing to us. We hopped out and enjoyed what little time we had left, as we must be heading back soon. Times flies when your having fun.
Pippa showing off her MEC long undies.
With breakfast finished and our stuff packed up, we begin our journey back to reality. The girls noticed every once in a while there was a sign posted to a tree. I told them that some people think this is for cross-country skiing, but it really means that we are supposed to "Do the Watoozi" as we pass the sign...they did it!
 
I could not have asked for better trail companions. They were freindly, helpful, and cute. The key to success if keeping expectations low and encouragement high. I feel very blessed to share such a time as this with my girls.(and it sure beats "Cheese Doodles")
Some parting shots...
    
Great Job Pippa! 
Sleep well...you've earned it.
 the drive home |
Edited by - Moses on 06/27/2006 8:18 PM
|
|
 | Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
|
 Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 9:36 PM
|
----------------------------------------
Wine stirs the spring, happiness bursts through the earth like a plant, walls crumble, and rocky cliffs, chasms close, as song is born. |
|
|
|
Maple syrup lovin', tree huggin', face paintin' relocated Québécoise who is VERY serious about having fun
Vancouver
Canada
2637 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 9:42 PM
|
This is one of the most entertaining trip report I have read in a long time Moses.
Wow, your girls are ADORABLE! I would have loved to pass you guys on the trail to see them with their cute little backpacks and their pink shirts... |
|
|
|
ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 9:47 PM
|
quote:
Half-Pint gets a big grin on her face and whispers "Dad...dinner bells". I have trained her well
Indeed you have
what a delightful trip report! With some gorgeous photos (they look like Mom... right?)
let me know when you're heading out again for an overnight with kids, my daughter has a bad case of cabin fever now, and now that school will be out I have to get her on the trails ssssooonnnnnn
----------------------------------------
 |
|
|
|
Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 10:31 PM
|
Most Excellent Moe. Before you know it they'll be dragging you places you'd never thought you'd go.
Looks like you guys had a wonderful time. The stuff good childhood memories are made of. |
|
|
Vancouver, BC
Canada
631 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 10:36 PM
|
| too cute, moses! congrats, pippa, on your first overnighter! and here's to many more to come. |
|
|
|
Fleece thong wearin, Buntzen Lurkin, mystic poet mountain man and international spokesman of the friends of the white squirrel society
Port Moody, B.C.
Canada
5910 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 10:40 PM
|
Absolutely awesome Mo.
----------------------------------------
Vancouver Hiking
|
|
|
Telkwa
1176 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 10:47 PM
|
Aaaawww that was so cute!!
Great report and cool photos. Somehow I don't remember hiking with little kids that much fun...you must be doing something right. |
|
|
|
Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6908 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 10:51 PM
|
Looks like a wonderful time was had by you and your daughters! There's certainly alot less snow at Poland Lake now than there was when we were there two weeks ago.
As for your next forray into the woods, might I suggest Nicomen Lake? Drum Lake and July Mtn is still on our priority list Mo.
----------------------------------------
Sweat is the cologne of accomplishment
Harry Neale
|
|
|
|
Night owl posting,Subie driving, backpacking Dad who is perpetually trying to catch up to his kids on the trail.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
3055 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 10:58 PM
|
Good job Moses! Sounds like you are playing it right and both girls are going to develop a real love for backpacking adventures. But look out: in the blink of an eye they're going to be powerful young women and you will be whimpering "are we there yet?"
----------------------------------------
"Aging ... it beats the alternative" |
|
|
|
Mysterious, pop can stove stashin', gps totin', overnighter virgin, wannabe tentmaker and foul weather wuss who rides a thumper to the trailhead with wonderdog Max to hike the Chilliwack Valley
Chwk
Canada
4910 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2006 : 11:13 PM
|
Well done girls!
----------------------------------------
...face piles of trials with smiles. It riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave.
|
|
|
Ladner, BC
Canada
1176 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 12:25 AM
|
quote:
I feel very blessed to share such a time as this with my girls.
I'm sure they will always feel the same to share that time with you.
Good work! Good Fun!
----------------------------------------
The tougher the climb, the better the food tastes. -Lupin- |
|
|
Langley, BC
Canada
1692 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 05:30 AM
|
Very cute! Nice job..
----------------------------------------
Chaos, Panic & Disorder----my work here is done. |
|
|
Barriere, BC
Canada
334 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 05:56 AM
|
What an excellent trip report, the girls did amazing.
quote:
if we were a bear family, would we come up here and eat us?
Childrens minds think of things in wonderful and funny ways. Great job. |
|
|
in the valley, BC
Canada
1459 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 07:07 AM
|
| I smiled all the way through your trip report as it brought back sweet memories of hiking and backpacking with my girls when they were little. It may take longer to attain your goal, it may take a bit of coaxing and bribing, but in the end it is all worthwhile when you have so much fun bonding with your children. Good on you for introducing your kids to the joys of nature and having fun without TV, video games, etc. And girls, good on you for being such good troopers! |
|
|
|
bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4649 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 07:14 AM
|
Ahhh that's awesome Mo!
I'm glad to see that it was a positive experience for them - way to go girls!!! |
|
|
Vancouver, BC
Canada
631 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 08:40 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by ChuckU
But look out: in the blink of an eye they're going to be powerful young women and you will be whimpering "are we there yet?"
lol, ChuckU, are you speaking from experience? your daughter is such an amazing hiker; i saw the way she was burning up the trail! |
|
|
Kamloops, British Columbia
Canada
9 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 3:43 PM
|
| Mo, you're motivating me to get out with my girls! After seeing some of LongShadow's great Kamloops area pics, they're begging to go adventuring. I'm also looking forward to hitting the trail with you again. The Drum Lake weekend was too long ago! |
|
|
 adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 3:49 PM
|
| Fun report! |
|
|
|
Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13465 Posts |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 5:18 PM
|
That was a fun trip report to read, family outings like this are the best. Great flower shots, that would make them forget your slave-driving ways.
Regards, |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Pippa and Half-Pint's Polish Adventure
