Annabelle's first self hiked backpacking trip

 Annabelle started backpacking when she was just weeks old. She's proven herself to be fierce and continues to amaze us with her spirt for outdoor adventures. Wanting to do everything herself we decided she was ready to go backpacking, this time hiking the whole way and carrying her "gear" by herself. We picked the shortest hike within a hours drive that allows overnight camping- Cedar Lake an exotic enchanting hike in the Chuckanut mountain foothills. 

Annabelle's gear 

Annabelle is capable of charging through the whole day and avoids naps the same way most people avoid work.  She fell asleep on the car ride  and we thought "this is great-she'll be all charged up for this hike" .  As we reached our trailhead, Annabelle woke up too early and ugly cried for half a hour non stop. Nothing seemed to console her plus we looked like total assholes. 

Doing something pretty cool. 

Our good friend and veteran parent Anna has often said "sometimes the victory is just getting to the trailhead, giving each other a high five, and then turning around to promptly go home."   We were just about ready to high five- but then I thought of one more trick. Annabelle has been hungry since the day she has been born. I said "Annabelle, we have a treat snack for you to eat when you get hungry on the trail".  Immediately the crying stopped and she blasted down the trail. Alright, game on! 

Annabelle hiked the two miles in and gained 1,200 vertical feet making it to camp on her own. She stopped only to delayer (no shirt), eat more food and give us hugs. She was all smiles and told us" Does it make your feelings happy when I hug you."

navigation

 We packed in some bad ass toddler tech gear for fun. Here's a picture of Annabelle all harnessed up  'flying like a bird' above the hammock. Anybody living in Fairhaven probably also heard some extreme 'tweating'.