Today we took T to Pinnacles National Park to go hiking, go through the caves and hopefully see some bats (or "Baps" as T likes to say!). The weather couldn't have been more perfect at 78 degrees, any warmer would have been exhausting, and we had a wonderful time just being surrounded by such
beautiful scenery!
Unfortunately we weren't the only ones who thought this would be a good idea, as hundreds of other families and groups descended upon the park with the same plan! This only was an issue when we first arrived though, as rangers were re-directing parking because their 2 small lots were already full and were reaching capacity...and we had to take a shuttle up the hill to start the trails, a shuttle that came every half hour and sat 15 at a time! So an hour after we arrived, and waited behind everyone else, we finally made it to the trails and headed on our way....once everyone dispersed, the 3 of us were on our own for some time until we reached the caves!
Now I had a fleeting thought before leaving the house today and even mentioned to Jason that we can't forget the flashlights so we can see inside the caves....And that was that...as I packed our lunches, got T and I dressed, packed the car, and picked up a bit before we left, the thought left my brain as soon as it came and we left with no flashlights.
Tromping through deep, dank, dark caves with no flashlight and a 3 year old hoping to see Baps was an interesting experience as Jason and I clutched on to T with dear life! When we realized we had gone deep enough into the cave that it was silly to turn back around but unsure of how much farther or deeper it went, Jason makes the statement, "Why didn't YOU pack a flashlight?"
Why I ever would have thought that the mere mention of a flashlight to Jason this morning would have prompted him to either take one out and put it on the counter or even remind me before we left would have been too high of an expectation! Bear in mind that the only time my husband helps pack for any trip or outing is 2 minutes before departure when he chooses his CD selection for the drive and decides which sweatshirt to bring just in case he gets cold...Packing and preparing for any trip is my
responsibility, understandably because we Mom's are just better organizers and planners, and moreover I should know this after 11 years together!
Still the sarcasm in his voice as we crouched under boulders in a dripping cave really annoyed me! Thankfully a family in front of us saw our pathetic struggles to see and would hold their flashlights in front of us to lead us! They were very kind...I don't think we were in the cave more than 15 minutes but boy it felt longer....and we never saw any Baps, we heard some though! It was an experience f
or sure, but overall I think T had a really fun time on our hike!
We finally made it to the lake, along with fifty or so other hikers...There is something so not enjoyable about being surrounded by such beautiful scenery and pristine weather, yet seeing people leave their trash along the rocks, kids throw water bottles in the water, and hearing teenagers telling stories super loud with such potty-mouths...kind of took away from this serene area unfortunately.
Hugging his extra special treat after our long hike - chips! You would think his life depended on this one bag of Lays the way he clutched onto them! He was starving and we ate everything I packed for lunch and this was what they had to choose from at the general store...his Pasha(my Mom) would be so proud of his choice - my mom's snack of choice on a bad day is classic Lays with a Pepsi...there's nothing better!
Twins...oh thank goodness
