Spring break hikes

Monday me, the kids and the Goldstones went to the coast. I've been wanting to hike Smuggler's Cove for a while and Kandace had a couple days off. Since everything is about me these days, I'm just going to comment briefly on the anxiety. On a scale of 1-10 with ten being ugh, I was probably a 5 or 6 until we found out Dave wanted to come too. And then it mysteriously disappeared. Anxiety, you make me crazy.

Anyway, it was a cool morning. We got to west Van for the 9:45 ferry.

I could have spent the whole trip outside.

 Took this picture to document all the work they're doing on the hillside where the Boathouse used to be.

We met up with Dave and his kids on the highway in Gibsons, then headed up the coast till we got to Smuggler's Cove Provincial Park. While we got the littles ready, these three monkeys climbed trees.

 And scrambled on the rocks. As much fun as hiking this with the family is, I think the kids enjoyed doing it as a big group more.

 Can you spot the kid?

Ruben just loves Denis. Doesn't hesitate, just sidles up and takes his hand.

My favourite mossy tree - looks like a witch crashed into the trunk.

 My favourite thing about this hike is how different it is - you go through forest, then into marshland, then into some boggy territory full of beavers and then into the piratey part. Its just gorgeous.

 I think we were looking for frog's eggs here.

 I was so impressed with all of these kids. The littles were such troopers hiking and not whining. The big kids were so good with the little kids. What a great day!

 Ada just loves Griffin and hung off him almost the whole day.

 So much beaver activity!

 Looking for frogs at the first set of boardwalks. Looking for signs of beavers, ducks, and weird drainage systems in the second set.

 Meanwhile these two were always miles ahead of the rest of us and climbing all the things.

 Then we got to the hilly part. Steep trails up and down and lots of stairs.

 And arbutus trees.

 Finally we made it here. Isn't it gorgeous?

 We didn't actually make it any further along this trail, which is too bad because the whole thing is gorgeous but also perfect because the kids got to explore like mad.

 We've climbed down to the beach before, but Nate and David led the kids all over the place, like a bunch of pirates.

 And eventually I just had to follow them.

Ada was super adventurous too.

 Ruben less so,  but he's very cautious and careful at times (I can't say all the time because today he was being very dangerous and telling me that he's an expert rock climber).

 And then it was time to turn around.

 Once again these medium kids did a wonderful job of looking after the little kids. Makes your heart proud to see them taking care of each other.

 Ruben was exhausted by this point and kept falling over. And then insisting on walking again. Pretty amazing for 3 1/2.

And on the way home we stopped at the pirate playground in Sechelt.

I love these kids!