hiking with toddlers

Nupur and I have decided that the girls are big enough to benefit from hiking without being carried. We have set aside all lofty goals of peaks and alpine lakes and are just hoping to reduce the tantrums and have enjoyable day out.

For our first packless toddler hike we decided to start at Chautauqua and see if we could get around the little loop. We started off very strong, walking up the gradual incline through the meadow.

There was lots to distract us along the way, but we took our time and enjoyed the outdoors. Luckily it was a beautiful day, with just enough cloud cover to cool things off.

As always, we stopped to take lots of pictures. This meadow is where we, (like so many other couples in Boulder) had our engagement pictures taken. The flatirons in the background are just too much to resist.

Sometimes getting the girls (Natalie especially) to press on was a bit tough. I used lots of little tricks, i.e. "look at that lady bug up there", "come see this pretty rock", and "ooh... is that another pine needle?"

Natalie made it most of the way up the hill, by herself. About .5 miles I think. Then it got a bit rockier, and she was a bit crankier, so I carried her for a bit. Once we reached the mesa it flattened out and she walked again for a good stretch. There were lots of interesting things to see along here. We found rocks and pine cones, and smelled trees. And she even found this nice hollowed out rock that was a perfect "chair" for baby-sized bottoms. And it had a great view over the town too. So all in all I would say our first hike with toddlers was a big success! These girls are getting so big, soon enough I'm sure it will be me that isn't able to keep up with her.