Sunday hike

I'm not feeling so hot right now, between the money we're spending on Pie in the hospital and the fact that Pie is IN the hospital. It's called STRESS. But Rocket Boy really wanted to go on a hike at Eldorado Canyon State Park today, so that's what we decided to do. He wanted to leave early in the morning, but I wasn't at my best, and the twins were awful, and we ended up leaving at 11 am. Then, while getting gas, we were informed by the boys that they were hungry, because they hadn't had any breakfast.

That shows you right there how stressed I am -- getting some breakfast into them is usually at the top of my to-do list each morning, but today I'd spaced it. And they're too -- immature? clueless? -- to think of it themselves. So we went to the Walnut Cafe and spent more money that we don't have on brunch. We sat outside and the kids were awful, yelling and fighting and not eating, but we got through it. Back at the car, I realized I'd lost the $8 I'd set aside for the fee to get into the state park, and I promptly lost it in other ways. "I'm such an idiot!" I wailed to Rocket Boy. "I can't do anything right! I'm fat! I'm a terrible mother!" and on and on.

Did I mention I'm very stressed?

Rocket Boy patiently calmed me down, telling me he had a $10 bill and undoubtedly we could get change. Still sniveling, I drove us to Eldorado Canyon State Park, gave the person at the gate a $10 bill (and he gave me $2 change) and found a parking place next to the trailhead for the Fowler Trail.

OK, so now the story gets better, because it was a lovely hike. Plus, I found the $8, which had been in my pocket the whole time. Sigh.

One of many nice things about this trail is that it is flat and easy to walk on. In fact, it is wheelchair accessible! It was originally built as an old narrow-gauge railroad grade. But although flat, it is right next to a steep cliff, and beyond that are the gorgeous rocks of Eldorado Canyon. As you walk along, you can see rock climbers going about their business, way up high.

The Fowler Trail is a nature trail, with numbered plaques all along the way -- but there were no brochures left at the trailhead, so we had no idea what any of the plaques represented. However, at a few other spots there were plaques with pictures and explanations, plus mounted binoculars that you can look through to watch the climbers.

Years ago, Rocket Boy used to do some climbing himself, including on this trail. He showed Kid A one easy climb:

and pretty soon they had vanished up the cliff wall. I was impressed, but had no desire to follow. Nor did Kid B, who was not very happy on this hike.

He spent most of the time complaining about how he hated hiking and wanted to go home. This upset Rocket Boy, but I kept reminding RB that I didn't like hiking when I was a kid either, but eventually it became one of my favorite activities. "How did that work?" RB wanted to know, and I explained to him that hiking became fun for me when it ceased to be competitive. I hate hate hate hiking in order to go the farthest the fastest the highest the most tortuous. I like to walk slowly, take pictures, listen for birds, find beautiful flowers, enjoy every aspect of the land I'm walking through. I think I can help Kid B learn to like hiking, but we have to take it slow.

After walking for half an hour or so, we turned around and walked back, though the trail does continue on. The kids and I went back to the car, while Rocket Boy took a short jaunt on the Rattlesnake Gulch trail, which connects with Fowler. I actually sat on a bench next to the trailhead and read an issue of The New Yorker, rather than sit in the car and listen to the kids fight. It was very pleasant, and while sitting there I was able to assist a few people who came by and wanted to know about the trail. One person needed help opening the bear-proof trash receptacle. I helped him open it and he promptly threw away an aluminum can, despite the fact that there was a bear-proof recycling receptacle right next to it. Oh well.

Rocket Boy returned and we went home to crash. I really hope we can do more hiking this fall, despite Kid B's protests.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was dreadful -- I won't go into detail, but Kid B's behavior got worse and worse, especially during dinner, until I lost it with him, so now I feel like the worst mother in the world. And Rocket Boy went to the vet hospital to visit Pie and they charged him another $500 while he was there, despite telling me that they wouldn't ask for additional $$ until Pie was discharged. RB doesn't have a credit card, so the $500 went on his debit card, bringing into question whether we can make it to the end of the month without dipping into our dwindling savings. I pulled myself together and called the hospital and told them Pie needs to be discharged tomorrow morning, so I will be there at 7:30 am to get him, and I do anticipate some sort of ugliness at that time. We'll see. This whole experience with the vet hospital, Alpenglow, has been bad. We won't use them again.

I need to take my shower and go to bed. But it was a nice hike and I am trying not to forget that.