Three Hikes in One Day

The day started early.  I texted Cristina and woke her up so we could drive out to Red Top Mountain and see the sunrise on Lake Alatoona.

Look close and you will see the moon out over the trees and more clearly in the reflection in the lake.

We photographed some of the resident geese.

They had lots to say about it.

Then we came home for breakfast.  And walked down to the nature trail with Chloe.  She led the way.

And showed us how she could jump fallen trees.

And tested the waters in her boots.  In spite of multiple warnings, she went in too far (shocker) and came home with water sloshing in her boots.

Such a gorgeous day!

Then we left the kids at home with Todd while I took Cristina to Sope Creek Farm where we had our family photos taken last year by Tyler of Blue Lily.

The river was higher than last fall, so we had a harder time walking across.

Back to the East Palisades

I picked up the kids early from school today so we could drive downtown and pick up my friend Cristina from the Coca Cola headquarters when her business meetings were over.  We then headed back to the East Palisades to show her some of the beauty of Atlanta.

The kids had fun showing off their running and jumping skills.

And they had fun leading the way along the trails, since they were the resident experts having been here once before.  ;)

We saw long leggity birds flying over us.

When we headed back to the parking lot, both kids started (voluntarily and unprompted) picking up trash along the river.  They even found a large bucket and old trash can that they used to stuff the trash in.

They stuffed it down as best they could so they could fit in even more trash to clean up the riverside.

It was such a gorgeous afternoon!

Cristina helped Owen carry his trash can of junk back to the parking lot dumpsters.

The kids with all the trash they collected.  They were so proud of themselves for helping clean up the environment.

And then there was more running and jumping the water before leaving.  Someone was soaked when we left.

Hiking in the East Palisades

We heard from a friend that there are many trails along the Chattahoochee River that are gorgeous.  This afternoon, we drove to the East Palisades which was about a 40 minute drive for us from home.   They had fun skipping stones into the river before we started hiking the trails.

Almost right away, the kids found a fallen tree to climb and walk across.  Bean was a bit scared and Owen very kindly helped hold onto her and guide her back.

The longer they were on it, the braver Chloe got.

To the point that she was almost running across it to stay ahead of Owen.

This was a fabulous afternoon.  The kids were getting along so well, being kind and helpful to the other.  Made us so happy to see them working as a team and best friends.

They were also freely offering up opportunities to pose and smile for the camera.  That was awesome!

When Chloe's shoe came untied, Owen was quick to help her tie it.

It was a chilly day and she stole my gloves early on to keep her little hands warm.  :)

But gave them back later and started peeling off layers as the sun (and hiking) warmed us all.

There was even a rock wall that they tried climbing.

Really loved how sweet they were being to each other.

And giving hugs and smooches.

Until Chloe decided to lick her brother.

And grossed him out.

And she couldn't stop giggling.

Can not wait to go back and hike here again!