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Festive Fun in the Mountains
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November 1, 2026
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It could've been a formula for disaster: a threatening winter day and two nine-year-olds starting up a mountain at 10:30 in the morning with the chances of rain inching up by the hour.
The contrast of up-to-lunch and down-to-car was especially keen on this walk with grandson Matthew, as on the way up he said he was a little tired, and so he and I ended up lagging well behind The Greatest Day Hiker Of Them All at
Once the realities of time commitments and cold damp weather pushed us toward an in-town walk, The Day Hiker decided she'd go slick instead of practical, and put on her brand new black suede boots.
On a cold January day, you can have the pretty Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve to yourself. At least we did on this day, until we were back at the car and another couple was about to start in.
It's easy to make a mistake with certain nine-year-olds, in this case making casual mention to grandson Matthew of a spot off the route of this hike where the gorge is allegedly so deep the sun never shines.
It could've been a formula for disaster: a threatening winter day and two nine-year-olds starting up a mountain at 10:30 in the morning with the chances of rain inching up by the hour.
The contrast of up-to-lunch and down-to-car was especially keen on this walk with grandson Matthew, as on the way up he said he was a little tired, and so he and I ended up lagging well behind The Greatest Day Hiker Of Them All at several points.
Once the realities of time commitments and cold damp weather pushed us toward an in-town walk, The Day Hiker decided she'd go slick instead of practical, and put on her brand new black suede boots.
On a cold January day, you can have the pretty Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve to yourself. At least we did on this day, until we were back at the car and another couple was about to start in.
It's easy to make a mistake with certain nine-year-olds, in this case making casual mention to grandson Matthew of a spot off the route of this hike where the gorge is allegedly so deep the sun never shines.
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Country Roads
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