Purgatory

Today we went for a hike at Purgatory Chasm. And before you get too impressed, let me tell you how this "hike" went:
-Spur of the moment decision to go. So Steve takes Henri out to rake leaves while I pack for the adventure. 45 minutes later, I'm ready to go and Henri is crying because, well, because.
-We get in the car, Henri still crying, Hudson starts screaming. I realize how cold it is but I'm irritated already so don't feel like going back inside for a hat and gloves.
-Steve spends 10 minutes looking for directions on his phone.
-Finally pull out of the driveway at 11 only to have the gps tell us it's an hour drive. Noon is lunch time always. Crummy timing.
-In 15 minutes, blissful silence, both kids asleep (miracle!)
-10 minutes to destination and Hudson wakes up screaming.
-We arrive! At the parking lot.
-Get Hudson to the front so I can nurse him, Henri wakes up and is whining about, um, no idea. Just loud. Hud not interested in nursing or looking out, just miserable.
-Cram Hudson into his too-small snowsuit, put more layers on Henri (who is crying that they won't fit and/or aren't cute.
-Walk to the visitors center for bathroom break where the walls vibrate with the force of Hudson's very unhappy wails.
-Stuff Hudson into the Lillebaby but he's a bit bulky and his legs can't stretch out in the too-small suit. He's really ticked.
-Cross the road to trailhead.
-Pose for pictures.
-Venture 5 feet down into the chasm only to determine that 1.it's impossible to see where you're going with a front carrier on, 2.it's impossible not to squish Hudson while trying to scramble down rocks and he hates to be squished, and 3.Henrietta extends her fear of everything to climbing down cliffs.
-Climb back up the 5 feet you've just descended and amble over to a huge boulder left by a glacier
-Spend the next 30 minutes taking pictures and sliding down said rock
-Declare everyone numb and starving, head off to get some lunch which sets Henrietta off again as she "really wants to climb the rock" (riiiiight).

As my Mom always said, "we're gonna have fun, fun, fun!". I'm sure we'll look back on these days fondly, but it really is so much easier without kids! Hard to regret them when one's snuggled down on your chest and the other is complementing you for doing the dishes though :)

Anyway, here's the photos to make it look like we overachieved:

Sticks have not lost their allure

This was actually yesterday when the kids and I played ball in the backyard

Trailhead. Still faintly optimistic



Beginning the descent

Top of the boulder, finally coaxed her up

Hurray for self timers!

Hudson actually does love being outside, he just keeps a stoic face while he processes

Steve looks to the left

And Steve looks to the right

We've just decided to leave and go for lunch!

A trip to the park and the library rounded out the day of wholesome fun. Also Digorno pizza for supper (my first time! got a nice deal on them...) and a batch of brownies cooling that I plan to dig into without having to share as Henri is in bed. Long weekend for Steve so I'm sure we'll have lots more to report on soon :)