Much Needed Hike

We are so fortunate to live in an area where there are tons of great hiking trails.  If you want a flat easy walking through the woods, we got it.  If you want a challenging trail through rocky sides of mountains, we got it.  If you want a babbling creek or waterfall, we got it.  This past weekend we wanted, no needed, to get out and go hiking.  So we decided to try a new trail on Lookout Mountain that ends at Point Park.  It begins at Craven's House- a spot that holds special memories (Dan first told me he loved me one very cold Valentine night at Craven's House as we looked out over Chattanooga). 

Well this day we had spectacular weather, packed up and chose Marcie to go along and headed out (we usually like to bring one dog when we go hiking).  As we started up the trail we wondered if the recent storms had any impact on trees falling on the trail.  We soon got the answer to our question . . .

In all there were about 6 or 7 spots of the 1.5 mile trail where the trail was 'blocked' and we had to climb through, in, or around some kind of tree trunk or branches.  Marcie and I found it fun - an adventure.  Dan however had to be much more careful with Amelia on his back . . . but we made it!

Unfortunately, it was one of those days when Amelia needed her morning nap.  Some days she does. . . and some she doesn't.  Usually on the weekends we are out and about and I honestly figured she would fall asleep in the hiking backpack like she had done in the past.  We made it up to Point Park and she was done.  So I have a beautiful day, beautiful little girl, beautiful surroundings and she was inconsolable!  So much for the awesome pictures I had envisioned with my new camera.  This is what we got!

Amelia cried off and on all the way back down the mountain while Dan sang Disney tunes, old hymns, praise choruses or whatever came to his mind to try to soothe her.  She was so exhausted she was crying with her head hung over to one side and her eyes closed.  She finally gave up - literally about 2 or 3 minutes before we got back to the car.

We will have to go back another weekend and try again.  After we got home and had a quick lunch, Amelia had no problem going down for a much needed early afternoon nap!