Take a Hike

This morning we woke up and drove just over an hour to Starved Rock State Park.  I can't believe it took us this long to get out there.  We will definitely be going back and hopefully it will be in the fall, before the cold weather takes over.  We borrowed a backpack carrier from our neighbors.  It is a LOT harder than it looks to carry a 26 pound kid on your back.  Not to mention the weight of the carrier itself. 

This was about 10 minutes into our walk and I was already drenched with sweat. 

Fortunately he wanted to get out to do some exploring so I only had to carry him just over a half mile or so.  But, most of that was spent climbing stairs.  It was pretty brutal. 

Kevin took over for the second leg of the trip (hooray!).

 

When we have the rain and snow, there is a waterfall at this spot.  The canyon, with or without the falls, was really beautiful.

 

After almost two hours on the trails, we decided to take a boat ride to gain a different perspective of Starved Rock. 

Here it is from the water:

 

When we got home the kids had a second wind because they spent most of the ride home asleep.  We drug out the sprinkler.  I have to say, I absolutely love snapping pictures of them jumping through the sprinkler and the sun was close to setting so the lighting was beautiful. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had such a perfect day together.  Hoping we can get out and enjoy this gorgeous weather and our time as a family again tomorrow.