Tuesday Afternoon Hike

When hiking with a two year old you must be very, very patient.  You must also have very limited expectations.  While you won't achieve feats of mileage you might get to closely examine every rock and stick on the trail.

Jess is working late all week and I've learned one trick to single parenting is to schedule late afternoon adventures.  This eliminates those frustrating hours right before dinner when your child seems to get into every sort of trouble and generally annoy you.  Yesterday the wind was blowing a gale but I knew we would feel better if we went outside.  I loaded up my crew and drove to Theodore Roosevelt Island.  This island is in the middle of the Potomac River and accessible by a foot bridge.  The trees shelter the nearly two miles of trails from the wind and the island is an ideal place to see some wild life.  The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial is located on the center of the island which seems a fitting tribute to a man who helped establish our National Parks. 


JAC picking up rocks.

 I'm waiting while JAC picks up more rocks.

 JAC is pouting because I took away his stick due to his extreme dawdling.

 JAC is triumphantly carrying his stick.  I returned it as a reward for good behavior.

 JAC is walking Roxy or was it Roxy walking JAC?

Here is a view of the  GW rowing crews.  They waved at us as they passed by.  JAC was thrilled.  I am sure their coach was less thrilled.

JAC and I had a grand time looking at ducks, watching the rowing crews practice on the river and tromping around in the mud.  He was absolutely exhausted when we arrived at our truck and fell asleep within minutes.