First hike w/ my boys!

Payson, Arizona
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
August 14, 2010


The top of the Natural Bridge, lil waterfall
The bottom of the waterfall, there's a creek down there to walk through. We did NOT go down there b/c the trailhead said it was "difficult" and I didn't want my kids hurt :/

THIS is the bridge. It's called a natural Bridge b/c it was just made like this over time, makes a land bridge, with this hollowed out portion. Looks like a cave. A creek goes through it with these boulders, looks AWESOME!
The Waterfall Trail down to another small waterfall.
Boys gettin' splattered by the tiny waterfall :D
Me playin' in the waterfall! Fun Fun!
Trail down to the creek
Yes I got in a little too!
I hate those jeans. I think I look good though.

Good times were had! Our first hike, I didn't go crazy. FOR REAL, I am that super protective, anxiety riddled parent when it comes to my children possibly getting hurt. It's funny, cuz people will see me with my kids around a pool and I barely even pay attention to them. That being because they are excellent swimmers and they have been trained on how to get out in an emergency, to go to the side, etc. BUT I've been wanting to take them on a hike with me lately. I still think Konnor is too young but I'd like to get Riley more involved.

So I got invited by this Meetup group to go up to this state  park in Payson and I decided "what the hell" let Mommy face her fears and we'll JUST DO IT! I'm tryin to live outside of fear, anxiety, and controlling these days. Every time I push my limits, it's awesome, but when it  involves my kids, it hurts! So we go and it was 110 degrees in Phoenix that morning and only 94 degrees in Payson, so decent weather for a kid hike. They were short trails, rated moderate but no more than half a mile long one way. I NEVER let go of Konnor's hand. THAT would've killed me. He loves running off, away, going where he shouldn't, looking over ledges, leaning over ledges, he freakin' terrifies me. He gets himself hurt ENOUGH at home where it's considered a "safe" environment. So I had his hand. I told Riley to remember what I taught him. The Waterfall trail was short but straight down steep steps. I made him walk behind Konnor and I that way if he fell I could catch him. We were on this side of this CLIFF w/ a creek and boulder rocks below. I spent the whole way down terrified clinging to them. It sucks. I don't know how people manage this anxiety AND still take their kids out to do stuff. But I'm just trying to do it slowly, one outing at a time to ease my nerves a little bit.

For example, I'm terrified about my kids going camping for the first time. I think: Will they fall in the lake? Will we see a snake? Will a snake bite me or them? Will a squirrel scare them? Will they fall into the camp fire? Will they fall into the creek when fishing? Will they hook each other with the fishing poles? Will they sneak out of the tent at night when I'm asleep and get lost or kidnapped?? OMG! I'm serious! Alllllllll of this literally terrifies me. I am consumed w/ anxiety sitting here thinking about it now, and in the moment I will be worse. When I am THAT worried it is impossible for me to be fun Liz, happy Liz, carefree Liz b/c I'm on high alert 100% of the time. BUT, we are going camping. We are going probably this weekend with my friend Aimme. She's a pro and she has heard ALL my concerns and more. She swears she has picked out a wonderful, safer spot so I can be less freaked. I hope! Worst case scenario, I cut it a day short and keep them locked in the tent b/c I'm too terrified to let them set foot outside. haha! Poor kids!

It's funny how this is truly what's in my heart. But I have some family members who see me with my kids and see me being "carefree" (when I feel my kids are safe) and they think I'm a "lazy parent", lol! They think I don't even pay attention to them. Little do they know, my ears are on my kids 100% of the time and I just don't worry when we are in certain situations. Other situations, I'm over bearingly protective of my lil monkeys :/

xoxo,
Lizzle

Comments

  1. JenAugust 20, 2010 at 9:37 AM

    Camping with kids can be a lot of fun. I took my girls (ages 6 and 2) out to a state park in Missouri last month, and we had a wonderful time! People thought I was nuts for taking two little kids tent camping by myself, but it was easier than I expected, and I would definitely do it again. :D

    You sure have some gorgeous hiking scenery out there. We're just as hot here in TX, but it's sticky-humid and not nearly as hilly (most areas, that is). I'm looking forward to doing more outdoorsy stuff soon with the kids as it starts to cool off some. Especially now that I'm hauling around less of my fat butt on those trails! ;D

    You guys are going to have a GREAT time camping!! (sez one over-protective-yet-'carefree' mama to another, hehe)

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