Donut Falls

Yesterday we took the boys on their first hike ever. We headed up to the Donut Falls trail head in Big Cottonwood canyon. It wasn't too busy, which was a pleasant surprise. We took our time and headed up the old road to where it met the trail. Then we took the trail over to the bottom of the falls. From there the trail ran right next to the river. Since the river was running very high due to Spring run off we decided to take an unofficial trail to the top of the falls. That part was a little tricky due to snow but we made it to the top. We had a great view of the fall going through the hole in the rock that it is named for. I hadn't seen the fall from that vantage point before, only from the bottom.
Daniel brought his binoculars to look for animals. Daniel was convinced we'd see a wolf, because "Wolves live in the woods." No wolf sighting. The only animals we saw were chipmunks but we did see deer tracks in the snow and a pile of deer droppings near the top of the falls. The boys though it was great fun to be in the woods and even enjoyed slip-sliding down the snow on our way back down the trail. They were soaked and exhausted by the time we got to the bottom, but happy. Evan really enjoyed being toted about in the backpack. (Another great D.I. find for $5!) He is such an outdoors lover. He must get it from his Papa.
Today Daniel's legs are covered in bruises from the many little falls he took. At one point near the end of our trail down he and Jack both tripped and fell at the same time. It was pretty funny from my vantage point actually. I don't think they thought so, but they were fine after a little TLC.
As we were hiking I was thinking about how the experience related to our relationship with Heavenly Father. Most of the time, as in life, Daniel and Jack would go along just fine. They just trudged along the path, stopping every once in a while to take in a sight, or point something out to us, or ask a question. We would keep an eye on them, watching over their progression, occasionally offering advice and, of course, answering their questions. When we would come to a harder part I would let Daniel try it by himself first, offering suggestions on how to get over the rough patch. Sometimes he got through it with minimal help, other times he needed more help and then I would reach in and take his hand to help him along. At times he had to hold my hand to get through the deeper snow and Gary had to carry Jack once or twice. They took falls here and there, but always got back up, usually with a smile but also with a sense of cautiousness and watched more carefully for the next place they might slip up. In the end we were proud of how they came through the adventure and they were happy with themselves too. It made me think about how in my life it has been the same way. Mostly I go through life, pausing to thank Heavenly father for my blessing and asking him to guide me in decisions. Sometimes when I hit a rough patch I ask for more help and I will get it in the amount that I need. It isn't necessarily the amount I want all the time, but it is the best amount for my personal growth. I have certainly had falls and low points, but I have always gotten back up and with help have carried on happily. In the end, at the end of my adventure here on Earth, I hope that he will be proud of me and that I will be happy with my life.
I loved our first family hike. We are planning many more to come!
GD143: I'm grateful to live so close to so many wonderful recreational areas.
WFD: Grilled steaks