EASTER HIKE

"Hey, Aunt Nancy! Wanna go for a hike?"

Heck yes! I'd just followed up the family Easter dinner with a gooey piece of carrot cake slathered in cream cheese frosting. It's not a matter of "want." It's "need." The guilt had already added on 3 inches to my belly.

"Yes, but I have three rules. Listen up. Stay away from the water. Stay on the trails. Don't get so far ahead of Auntie Slowpoke that I can't see you."

Agreed. Off we went. Luke, Maddie, Boomer, and I drove out to what's called Wilderness Trail at the northwest edge of Pittsburg. Now, mind you, this is not exactly the wilderness as Davy Crockett knew it it be--it's just up and down and all around water-filled strip pits. But it is a lot of fun in a "Lions, tigers, and bears" sort of way. There are trails that intersect trails, and there are narrower side trails off the main trails....decisions, decisions. "Are we lost yet?"

The boys grabbed some walking sticks to start out with, but they soon became a burden to their running so they ditched them along the way. Large ancient tree vines suddenly became deadly snakes, and pools in the water became certain homes to crocodiles. Terror beyond each turn.

My three rules were basically followed during the adventure, with some reminders along the way. Boomer runs like he's shot out of a cannon and tended to get way ahead of the bunch, but he would eventually stop and wait up for the slackers.

We were probably at the park for 90 minutes or so. Long enough for Luke to complain about his feet hurting and Maddie to get ticked off at the mosquitoes. Even Boomer eventually started to slow down. When we finally made it back to the car and civilization, I was glad that I'd rubbed on the Icy Hot before we'd started out--and I was more than ready for a second slice of carrot cake.