Yesterday we Hiked

This week I took the kids and dogs to a paved trail early in the week. I wanted pavement because it has been rainy and I wasn't up to pounds of mud being tracked into my van and from there into my house. It was a good choice and the walk was gorgeous. It is down in the marshlands of Layton where I've seen deer and lots of birds and there are mountain lion warning signs. We love it there. It is where I used to take Wilson jogging/walking with me, before I gave up exercising in favor of sleep.

Yesterday I told the kids that I would take them on a hike if they finished all their Saturday's work early. We spent the morning cleaning, and then my sister Megan said she wasn't coming with us, and I lost all my motivation. Instead, I took the kids to return library books and get milk. When we arrived home, Timothy was home, so I had the kids stay buckled and I ran inside and told Tim to come hiking with us. He was not reluctant.

We loaded the dogs and headed to Fernwood--the closest trail to us. It was GLORIOUS. I don't think I've ever hiked in the evening during the fall. The light was incredible. The leaves were glowing from the sun going down and the moisture of the last week. It was a little muddy and baby boy wanted me to pack him the whole way, but still worth it. We watched the sun go down as we walked and it was a lovely sunset, at first--a little bit of pink over the Great Salt Lake. But then, the whole sky LIT UP this amazing golden/orange/red color and the clouds were in those shooting out lines (whatever that kind of cloud is called--maybe sirrius?? seventh grade science was a long time ago). It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. And we saw it from a mountain top in lovely, slightly chilly weather, with golden leaves strewn along our path and my baby boy singing The Farmer in the Dell. It was a perfect evening.