Our first adventure of the week was hiking to the Todtnauer Waterfall.  We actually drove up the mountain so we could hike down to it.  We pulled into the look-out area and I jumped out, ready to go.  The jagged rocky path, steep and adventurous called my name…….interrupted by the cautionary voice of my husband, “Uh, wait a second.  I don’t know about this.   I don’t see any other cars and there is red tape that was marking it closed that someone ripped down.”  Me- “it’s ripped down because it’s now open.”  We argue back and forth a bit until the girls disappear down the trail.  I follow and holler up to him, “it’s fine!”  Actually, it was fine.  The treacherous part only lasted a few minutes then it evened out to this lovely walking path.  Den and I are so much a like in many ways and very different in many others, it’s what makes us…..US, and love him so much!

Den was gracious enough to give up one of his hiking poles to the little boy that aspires to be just like him.  This has been such great bonding time for the two of them so far.  It’s interesting to watch a boy of 4 want and need the love and respect of his daddy.  He just loves being his dad’s buddy.  It is usually me that gets out of the car to help Den back out of a tricky spot but since Raleigh has seen the importance of this role and how much his dad appreciates it, he now wants to do it.  Den’s first reaction was to keep his little boy safe, in the car and out of harms way.  Such a fine balance in protecting and giving responsibility.  He now gets out with me and I tell him what to say and how to use his big arms and loud voice.  The favorite line is, “WHOA!” in a big man voice.  A boy needs responsibility.  This morning, I tried to remember that and asked him to take out the trash.  His response, “No thanks, I’m good, Mom.”  If you want something done……don’t ask…..TELL!

Waterfalls are like campfires, I could have stared at it all day.  It actually goes up higher and down lower than the picture shows.

Raleigh watched his dad step from rock to rock, not falling in the water as the girls screamed for  him to be careful and then of course, he wanted to do the same as his dad……..he made it!

Fresh mountain air sure makes the kids crazy.  I have no idea what they were laughing about but they were hysterical. People were looking at them and then at me and back at them again, I just shrugged my shoulders and smiled…….what else could I do.  I was thankful they could compose themselves for this photo.