Also while in Ketchum (this trip was jammed packed), we took our first real hike. Stephen found a few guidebooks stashed away at the condo. He originally wanted to hike to Baker Lake. One book touted it as a moderate family hike for all ages but a second book claimed it was a fairly difficult hike and a good introduction to backpacking. So Stephen changed his mind at the last minute and instead, we drove to the West Fork of the North Fork (yeah, that's really a place).

And it's a damn good thing he did because let me tell you, those boys aren't ready to hike more than a few feet! First, we had to cross the river right off the bat, which was actually a lot of fun! But it wasn't easy. Stephen had to carry both the boys across and I went barefoot because I didn't want to hike in wet sneakers. This made for slow traveling in cold water.





Second, Wyatt, never one to complain, had to rest about three minutes after crossing the river. And then Henry had to rest. And then Wyatt had to rest again. And then Henry had to rest again. You get the idea.









As a distraction, I let Henry climb on a fallen log. And then, of course, I also let Wyatt climb too. But then Stephen had to start telling some story about a girl he knew in college that fell off a log and sliced her leg open and all her fat thigh cottage cheese fell out just as Wyatt fell off the log. So that was the end of that. Thankfully, Wyatt didn't lose any fat thigh cottage cheese, just some pride.









Then we found a big rock for the boys to climb, although Stephen and I stood close by barking safety orders at them the whole time. I think I speak for everyone when I say it was more stress than fun.







Finally, we stopped to eat. We hiked off the trail a bit and found a small grass clearing. It was peaceful and restful and beautiful. After lunch we decided to head back to the car rather than keep on trekking. We didn't think the boys could make it and we had grown tired of forcing them along. Stephen thought we might have made it about two miles. I guessed no more than a mile and a half.







Back at the condo, Stephen checked the guidebook and discovered that we hadn't even made it a mile to the turn off for Amber's Gulch! Funny, I guess a two-hour hike with two five-year olds just seems like miles upon miles upon miles. Good thing we stuck with the forks rather than the baker.



***During my search for Baker Lake links I found this blog. I have no idea who these people are, but they look pretty cool. And they like Idaho!