We had a wonderful time in Ohio- one of the best trips ever. We went camping in Tar Hollow State Park- my first trip to that park, though everyone else has been numerous times without me. We had a nice camp site- very large and relatively private, considering the park was jam packed and most other campers were shoe-horned in.
Daniel wasn't having a lot of luck getting Sam to hike with him, until Becky and I agreed to go along. I was insisting... I should say INSISTING that we carry water along on our hike. Tom didn't feel it was necessary, as it was a 'short hike' and a 'cool' day. So the boys gave in (take water or stay in camp!) and we set off for the trail head. Becky and I told the boys we might not hike the whole trail, and if they got ahead of us, they didn't have to wait, as we might turn back.
Tyrel is good for about 100 yards, tops, before he wants "Up". We had already walked for over a mile, just around the campgrounds that morning, with Becky and the boys showing me other campsites they had had in the past, before deciding to take this hike. I had Ty in Becky's Ergo carrier before we reached the trail head. The cute little guy weighed in at 30 lbs. at Gma Arlene's, according to her scale.
So we started up the trail. Dan and Sam stayed with us for awhile, but it soon became apparent we were holding them back. They took the backpack with a couple of bottles of Snapple tea (and Tyrel's shoes!) as Becky and I lagged farther and farther behind. We were really enjoying our walk through the woods- which wended ever upward towards the mountain top. Tyrel was soon sound asleep on my back. The trail switched back several times. We heard traffic from the road- not too far away through the brush from time to time. Daniel and Sam seemed to have vanished from the planet. At times, the trail was a bit precarious- overgrown and slippery. There were unexpected roots and trip hazards- and in places the ravine fell sharply off one side.
After an hour or so, Becky and I saw that the road was about 5 yards from the trail. She graciously consented that we leave the trail and walk on the road. Due to the switchbacks, I thought turning right on the road would take us back to camp. Becky thought left would return us, but didn't speak up. We hiked another 3/4 mile, and found a shelter in a meadow where 3 roads met. Which to choose?
Fotunately, there was water available. Our bottle was dry! We both drank our fill, rested, drank more, and refilled the water bottle. We hadn't taken any snacks. Becky had developed a blister from damp socks. An elderly couple drove by, and let us know which was the correct road... the one we had arrived on! They offered to drive us back to camp, but we didn't have a carseat for Tyrel. After using the facilities across from the shelter, and drinking again, we set off down the road to camp.
At least it was mostly down hill! Becky's blood sugar bottomed out, and I left her resting about 1/2 mile from camp. I took Ty with me and sent Tom to get Becky once I arrived. Sam and Dan had been back about 15 minutes by the time I arrived. Later, we measured out the route via the road... and our round trip hike was over 5 1/2 miles. In 80* weather, carrying 30 lbs., I didn't do too poorly for an overweight, out of shape grandmother. (Don't forget we had already walked well over a mile earlier in the day- and that isn't counted against the 5 1/2 miles.)
ALWAYS take water when you go hiking- even if you expect it to be a short hike and the weather is "cool".
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Tyrel has got to be the best little traveller I have ever seen for someone his age. He was happy, stayed in his car seat, didn't cry and fuss. He sang us songs and played nicely with his toys. We travelled nearly as quickly with him as without- only taking slightly longer breaks at the rest stops. (The longer stops were probably beneficial to ALL of us). Which is good, as we head off to take him home tomorrow!
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