Friday, September 4, 2009

Back...

Back from the cabins at the Sleeping Giant National Park, and we all had a great time. The weather was perfect, the cabin was perfect, the hiking was perfect and the water was perfect. About the only thing not perfect was the time, we could have stayed so much longer. I'll update more on this later with more photos, probably after I head back to Hawaii on Sunday, but here are a few of my favorites.

My arm - well that was also not perfect. It's doing well, and i'm hoping tomorrow will be the last day of having to have packing changed (they put ~2 inches of cotton wick inside the two abscesses to let them drain while the inside heals, and these have been changed on a 24 or 48hr basis depending on what they see), as it's just been so painful getting that done, i've dreaded each day. Luckily we'd booked a cabin just an hour away, so on weds night I drove back, had the packing redone and came back to the cabin for a nice beer and a boardgame. On sunday I fly back to Hawaii and it would be great if it could be done with before I fly. With the climate in Hawaii i'm so concerned about having open wounds. I also haven't been able to get my armpit wet since Monday, so it would be great to have a shower......

The cabin above was luxurious - not a rustic cabin at all. Three bedroom (a bunkbed in each), kitchen, bathroom and covered deck, all nicely furnished and kitted out, right on the lake, close to the beach and playpark and amidst many many hiking trails - it was perfect for the family outing.
The view from our cabin - the "Sleeping Giant" on the left hand side (see the head on the right, neck, arms crossed, and then body). We hiked all the way around the Sleeping Giant (a 14 mile hike) with the kids on our backs - took all day, but was awesome. This is overlooking Mary Louise Lake.

Overlooking the Sea Lion, at the end of the Kabeyan Trail - the one we took all the way around the Sleeping Giant.

Kim and Carney (and Sammy in the backpack) at the end of the 14 mile day. These guys are awesome, there aren't many with two small children who would attempt this full day of hiking, but we all had a fantastic time, the kids were awesome in the backpacks, and all felt very proud of the day we had done.

My little model Sammy showing off one of the Outhouses. Or should I say Out-no-houses...

After the long trail, a nice bath with ducky. Taylor having a great time splashing me!

4 comments:

Nicola said...

misery loves company. i have one under my armpit now, too. eczema started it. hot, sticky weather here.
now if only the company part had extended to your trip. that looks beautiful and fun! awesome friends to hike like that with kids!

RGW said...

Ouch Nicola! My lesson learned - don't let it get so big they have to drain and pack it, such a sore spot!

The hike was so much fun - we had a hiking backpack and an ergo and we just swopped the kids between the two (and between adults) as they napped (ergo) and played (backpack). Two water pistols and an ongoing eye spy game and Sammy was so good all day, Taylor slept most of the time, but just loved to look out and play with her attached soft toy. I was amazed they wanted to do such a long day on quite the trail, but it was fabulous, we had some awesome picnic stops and the views were amazing.

PleaseRecycle said...

The Sleeping Giant looks awesome! Sorry about the abscesses (both of you). That really bites! Hopefully it will heal up well and you can take a shower soon!

It's actually easier to take small kids hiking (in my opinion). If you can carry them, you don't have to MOTIVATE them! That's our biggest challenge will Mollie- when she gets tired, she'll just sit down and refuse to move. Not good when you're several miles from the trailhead!

I hope your trip home is smooth.

bsa said...

What a lovely entry. it sounds like heaven and looks so beautiful! Fourteen miles is quite an endeavor. I am so impressed! I hope you continue to heal quickly and have a 'miracle' between now and tomorrow!