Happy Hiking Days and First Day of Kindergarten!

Rabbit Lake

Yes, yes... I'll get to the more exciting story of how Sister's first day went - but first let me share a little bit of my adventures.  As you all know, I truly have fallen in love with hiking this summer. With the school year starting and Papa coaching football, I was sadden to think my hiking days were done until next summer.  So thankful for my dearest friend to point out hiking wasn't over yet - we just needed to schedule more strategically.  

August 23rd was the day marked on the calendar for us ladies to enjoy this beautiful hike. It's about 5 miles in to the lake and about 2 miles to go around the lake.  We enjoyed every view and found ourselves in just awe of the beauty surrounding us. 

I love spending time with this amazing person. She fills me up with positive energy and encouragement every time we are together.  So thankful for her special friendship! 

More hiking stories?... I know, I know - I'll save Sister's story for the end.

After my hike last Sunday, I thought for sure that was probably the last of my long hikes and will try to squeak in shorter hikes.  Nope - Papa asked me what I wanted to do on Saturday and without really thinking I said I really wanted to go hike and see if I could make it to the summit of Mount Magnificent.  He looked at me and said, "then go."  Seriously?!?  He's been so busy with coaching I thought for sure he wanted the day to just relax. I doubled checked with him and he was serious. He wanted to spend time with the kiddos and knew that I needed a break after solo parenting much of the week.  So - off I went! This turned about to be another 10 mile hike round trip.  

On my other adventures this summer, I had made it to Tucker Mountain, which is not pictured but just to the left of where I was standing. I was so excited to explore new terrain and the fall colors on the mountain side was breath-taking.

I wasn't 100% sure if this was the final summit or not, but this was the last peak I was going to climb for the day.  I was ready to sit and soak up the view.

The view from the top was amazing! This is looking to my right or southwest over the full ridge line I hiked with Eagle River and Anchorage in the background.

The view to my left and below of the Eagle River Valley. 

I was beyond excited to make it! Although I wasn't sure this was the true summit because there was no official marker and true of any mountain range- there are peaks after peaks after peaks.  However, on my way back down, I ran into a fellow hiker and he confirmed for me that this was indeed the summit of Mount Magnificent.  This will probably be one of my all time favorite hikes.  I could have sat here for the entire day! 

However, it was time to return home. Surprising the hike only took me 4 1/2 hours and that includes the time I spent soaking in the view at the top.  I did not feel like I rushed at all and truly enjoyed the fresh air, birds chirping around me, the fall colors in the fireweed and the stillness of the mountains.  

Okay, okay - you've waited long enough... 
How was Sister's first day of Kindergarten?

It was awesome!!!  

Funny enough, having me stay home in the morning so I could take her to school kind through off her routine a bit.  But she was happy to indulge me in a few 1st Day pictures.   I asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up and wrote that on her poster.  She said, "I want to build stuff and help people." It will be interesting to watch her grow and learn of the course of her school years.  

We took Brother to day care (he was excited to be going to his 'school' all by himself) and then off we went.  She was a pro- remembered where her cubby was, put her lunch up and found her seat right away. 

As she sat down, I gave her a quick hug and kiss and wished her a great first day.  She said, "Bye mom." and that was it - no tears or anything - just sitting there quietly ready to learn!  I had leave to return to my own classroom and found myself with no tears either.  I was excited for her and thankful for the amazing people who have cared for her and helped prepare her for her first adventure in school.   

So, what was her favorite part of her first day?  "Mom, you're not going to believe this... We had quiet time today and I got to pick a butterfly to snuggle with. And I even fell asleep at school."  Ha, ha... we gave up having her take a nap during the summer because she would have a hard time falling asleep at night.  Who would have thought she'd been so excited about sleeping at school?  She also shared how fun it was to play with two other girls that she had met at the Back to School night.   

What a week it has been!!  Between not one but two hiking adventures and then Sister's debut with Kindergarten - it has been amazing. Looking forward to another full week of school, watching Papa coach, and wrapping the week up with a nice long 3 day weekend.   

Happy Adventures to you all - wherever your journey is taking you!