I woke Reid up at about 6:30 AM. I neglected to tell him beforehand that we would be hiking Timpanogos so he was a little grumpy and confused when I woke him so early on his day off school. I thought it would be best to surprise him as I didn't want him staying up late worrying about the hike. However, I was able to win him over with some strawberry jam on toast, scrambled eggs, and the promise of Pokemon cards if he could make it to the top.
Reid did a great job on the hike. It wasn't easy by any means! After coaxing him up the mountain, I think I have enough motivational material to write a best selling self-help book. My kids love the cartoon Scooby-Doo and the way to motivate Scooby-Doo is through a healthy supply of Scooby Snacks. For Reid it is an ample supply of fruit snacks. I make sure to bring lots of fruit snacks on any hike I go on with the kids! Reid ate not only the food I brought for him but a lot of the food I brought for myself as well. I think he finished the hike having eaten 3 apples, 2 PB and J sandwiches, 6 packages of fruit snacks, and a pretty big bag of chocolate almonds. Lucky for me, he doesn't care for beef jerky.
Reid got a little scared near the top of the mountain. At the saddle of Timpanogos the trail becomes pretty steep and windy. We held hands from the saddle to the top. My proudest moment came at the top of the mountain. Reid was looking off of the summit of Mount Timpanogos with his face into the wind and said "Dad, this is breathtaking!" I thought to myself, "Wow, despite all the complaining my seven year old gets it! He gets it! It is breathtaking! I didn't know he knew that word, breathtaking is a pretty big word for a 7 year-old!" I felt a tear starting to well up, but then Reid explained further, "With this wind blowing in my face, I can't breath! The wind is taking my breath away!" I had to agree, the wind on the summit is breathtaking.
What a great day we had. On the way back we saw a herd of mountain sheep and from the same spot a herd of mule deer. It was amazing! The fall colors were in full glory with yellow aspens and orange and red maples. I think it was a day Reid and I will remember for a long time.
