Kid Tracks Column: School of Rock

“You can do it. You almost got it.”
“You did it! You’re a really good climber.”

These words spoken between siblings are music to this mother’s ears, so when my girls ask to visit the Maine Indoor Rock Gym, I’m hard-pressed to deny them.

Each time we visit the rock gym, we enjoy the challenges and celebrate the accomplishments of climbing the walls with all the various angles and holds. But there are so many other positive things we gain from our visits there.

At 11 and 12 years old, the girls are more deliberate and focused about the walls they climb now (unlike when my younger daughter enjoyed pretending to be a fast-climbing monkey when she was 8). They set their own goals (without realizing that’s what they’re doing) to climb challenging walls that take more upper body strength as well as agility to find and grab their holds.

But their beaming smiles and the self-esteem boost that comes from climbing to the top of a particularly difficult wall, as well as the encouragement they offer to each other, makes each trip to the gym well worth the cost of this not-so-cheap outing for a family of four (about $20 each for climbing shoes, harness and admission; parent belayers who choose not to climb are admitted free).

Because we have found this activity to be a great family team-building experience, the kids talked their 4-H club into taking a trip to the rock gym recently.

Not all the 4-H club members had climbed previously, but a helpful and knowledgeable gym staff member worked with our group to cover basic safety issues for climbers, and the importance of communication between the climber and his/her belayer while on the wall. And all the kids who were 12 and older were given a chance to serve as a belayer as well as to climb.

At the Maine Rock Gym, unlike most free-climb walls at fairs, amusement parks and indoor play centers, belayers are required for every climber and are secured to the floor with an anchor rope attached to their harness along with the climber’s rope.

As climbers ascend, the belayers pull up the slack rope through the carabiners to keep them secure should they lose their footing or hold on the wall. With a taut rope, belayer and climber are less likely to be jolted from a slip. It also helps climbers feel more secure.

When descending, the climber sits back and lets go of the wall to hold onto the rope. The belayer manages the carabiner to let the rope out at a slow and steady pace as the climber rappels down the wall. Even the smallest of our belayers handled this aspect easily because the gym’s carabiner was easy to use.

The rappelling is the part most kids and adults (myself included) find the most anxiety-provoking the first time. After that initial introduction, letting go of the wall is a lot less scary. And as my 11-year-old will tell you, “Jumping down the wall is the best part of climbing.”

During our trip with the 4-H club, the kids kept gravitating to one particular wall for the swing factor. After climbing this wall, the climber has to let go of their handhold and is forced to swing away from the wall due to the way the rope is looped through the ceiling to the belayer. After trying this wall myself, I had to agree with the kids that swinging from the rafters was a lot of fun.

After a dozen trips up and down that wall, my 11-year-old modified her feelings about rappelling.

“Swinging down that wall is even more fun than jumping down the other ones!”

Indoor rock climbing is a great family activity, especially when the weather makes for a less than enjoyable day out on the hiking/skiing trails. And your kids may just learn that doing something together as a family – especially with their tween/teen siblings – can be a whole lot of fun.

MAINE ROCK GYM
LOCATION: 127 Marginal Way, Portland
CLIMBING PASS: $15 for adults and kids
SHOE & HARNESS RENTAL: $5
WINTER HOURS: 2-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 2-8 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday;
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday

Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine, January 2009

Kid Tracks Column: Holiday shopping

Making a list and checking it twice for cool outdoor toys

My family has a variety of outdoor activity interests and because of that, we have a lot of equipment needs. Christmas at our house usually includes splurging on a gift that I think is both practical and fun for everyone in the family. And more often than not, it is typically something that will keep us active outdoors and spending time together.

WOOL SOCKS
I know, socks are not the most exciting gift to put under the tree, but not only will they keep your child’s feet warm and dry, you will hear a lot fewer complaints about cold feet out on the trail. Merino wool socks are my family’s favorite because they are really soft and don’t shrink when washed and put in the drier.

The “Smart Wool” brand is widely available in adult and kid sizes and retails for $12-$20, depending on style and size. But if you’re looking for a bargain, “irregulars” can sometimes be found at L.L. Bean’s outlet stores for about half that price at this time of year.

MOISTURE-WICKING TOPS
These tops have a technical-sounding name but it’s just thermal underwear made with a special wool or synthetic fiber (not cotton) that keeps skin warm and dry.

Merino wool tops are pricey ($60 or more), but we’ve found synthetic blends, like Hot Chilly’s Pepper Skins sold at Olympia Sports, for about $25. They keep us dry and comfortable when we’re out cross-country skiing or sledding. Both the kids and I have tried nylon/spandex blend tops and we don’t like them for winter. The nylon is cold against our skin and even though the material does a good job keeping us relatively dry once we start sweating, we are not warm and cozy. And cotton thermal tops, usually the cheapest option, are not great for active sports (like sledding, skiing and snowshoeing) because once they get wet, they stay wet.

TRAIL BACKPACKS
Buying special backpacks designated only for your outdoor adventures can help get your crew ready for your adventure more quickly and efficiently. My kids use backpacks that are smaller than their usual school packs because they can’t handle too much weight when we’re hiking (or skiing) on a mountain. A smaller pack forces them to make better choices about what they actually need when they’re out on the trail, as well. Patches and pins to sew or iron onto the packs also make great stocking stuffers.

SNOWSHOES
This is a bigger-ticket item, but outfitting everyone with snowshoes ensures you’ll fit exercise in to your life this winter. We’ve found beginner snowshoes at discount stores for around $50, but you’re more likely to spend $125-$150 on a better quality pair at an outfitter-type store. Before you purchase, make sure to ask if the snowshoes require special boots. We prefer the type that can be worn with any type snowboot so that we can get more than one season from the kids’ gear.

BIKE RACK
This makes a great family gift, especially if someone is already getting a new bike for Christmas. Trunk strap-on racks that carry three bikes are typically less than $50 at discount stores. Hitch-mounted racks that carry four or more bikes typically start at $150 at outfitter-type stores. My family of four has managed to use a trunk rack for years by putting our youngest daughter’s smaller framed bike inside the mini van.

GPS UNIT
A GPS can make a great family gift because it not only teaches the kids about geography and maps, it’s also a tool used to play games like geocaching and EarthCache. Geocaching is a fun way to explore hiking trails and it gives kids an incentive (finding the hidden “treasure” box) to get out and exercise with mom and dad. And if you’re new to hiking or looking to explore new trails, geocachers often post detailed trail descriptions that include ratings to make choosing trails that fit your family’s interests and fitness level easier.
Hand-held GPS units, which are different from car units, start at about $100. For more information about Geocaching and using a GPS unit, go to raisingmaine.com/GPS.

Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine, December 2008

Kid Tracks Column: Go west with your young hikers

This is the time of year when Maine offers some of the most beautiful, colorful days to be out hiking. But this is also the busiest hunting season of the year thanks to deer, pheasant, ruffed grouse and bear. Since 50,000-plus deer hunting permits were issued by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife this year, a lot of hunters will be roaming the woods in November during deer firearms season.

But do not let that stop you from hiking this month. The western mountains of Maine offer some great views of fall foliage with trails that are short, easy hikes for little ones as well as more challenging climbs for older kids. Stay safe by wearing your orange – or hike on Sundays, a state-mandated no hunting day.

Sawyer Mountain, Limington

This hike is about 3 miles round-trip with a 500-foot elevation gain. For children who have the endurance for a steady uphill climb, this trail offers a sense of hiking a “big” mountain with the self-esteem boost that comes from a manageable challenge. And being only 40 minutes from Portland, it’s a nice option for busy urban families looking for an afternoon hiking adventure close to home.

WHY WE LIKE IT: There is an old cemetery along the trail that is quite interesting. From the “no math” stones that have inscriptions that include the person’s age at passing in years, months and days, to the misspelling my younger daughter spotted on our first visit, it’s worth a quick, respectful stop. And when we hike here, we often bring along crayons and paper to make rubbings of both the cemetery stones and fallen leaves on the trail.

GETTING THERE: The trailhead is located at a sharp turn on Route 117, 2.5 miles south of the junction of Routes 25 and 117, or 2.4 miles north of the junction of Routes 11 and 117. There is a small parking area where trail maps are available in a map box. GPS Coordinates: 43.752, -70.729

Bald Pate Preserve, Bridgton

There are looping trails of varying distances within the preserve that are well marked. It’s an easy mile with about a 300-foot elevation gain to the summit of Bald Pate Mountain from the trailhead.

WHY WE LIKE IT: One year the girls were interested in learning about coniferous (evergreen) trees for a 4-H project they were working on and this area had several easy to identify examples. There are also great views of the surrounding mountains that are very colorful at this time of year. In October, and more often in November, we’ve spotted snow on Mount Washington from this area.

GETTING THERE: From Route 107 in Sebago, the trailhead is about 7 miles from the intersection of routes 114 and 107. The trailhead sign is a little hard to spot on Route 107 when coming from the southern direction because it’s positioned at an angle that is easier to see from the other side of the road. GPS Coordinates: 43.968, -70.710

Douglas Mountain, Sebago

This is a nice introduction to mountain climbing for little ones with the incentive of seeing the stone tower at the summit. For a first hike on this mountain, I’d suggest the Ledges or Woods trails because they are the shortest routes to the summit. Park at the trailhead and walk back out to Douglas Mountain Road. Take a left and follow the paved road up the hill to the old trailhead (about ¼ mile). There is no sign to direct you to the Ledges Trail from the new trailhead but once you find the old trailhead, the Ledges Trail (on the left with the stone pillar) and the Woods Trail (on the right) are easy to follow to the summit. The hike from the parking lot to the tower at the summit is about a half-mile total. The Eagle Scout Trail, the one at the trailhead, is a bit longer.

WHY WE LIKE IT: The Ledges Trail is a short ¼ mile to the top of the mountain with several spots with rocks to climb and views to enjoy during the climb. The kids always feel a sense of accomplishment hiking to the top, which was do-able when they were preschoolers. And the stone tower at the summit still has not lost its appeal for them. A map identifying the mountains at the top of the tower helps orientate visitors to the view. And if you want to wow the kids with your worldly knowledge, the inscription, “Non sibi sed omnibus” on the boulder near the tower, translates to: “Not just for myself, but for all.”

OTHER: There is a $3 trail use fee per car. The parking area is locked at 6 p.m.

GETTING THERE: From Route 107 in Baldwin, take Douglas Hill Road to Dyke Mountain Road.  GPS Coordinates: 43.876, -70.696

Douglas Mountain

Map created by EveryTrail

Jockey Cap, Fryeburg

This is another short hike, about 1/4 mile, with only a 200-foot elevation and offers a sense of accomplishment for young children. A great view of the surrounding mountains make this trail a good choice for the fall foliage season.

WHY WE LIKE IT: This area is a popular rock-climbing destination so many times we’ve seen climbers in full gear scaling the face of Jockey Cap. There are also boulders that form a couple of small caves for kids to explore and climb along the trail. There is also an interesting, molded mountain map at the top to identify the various mountains in view.

OTHER: There are some very steep drop-offs once you’re on the top of Jockey Cap, so parents should stay close to young children to be sure they don’t get too close to the edge.

GETTING THERE: From the intersection of Routes 113 and 302 in Fryeburg the trailhead is exactly one mile. The trailhead is between the Jockey Cap Country Store and the Jockey Cap Motel. GPS Coordinates: 44.022, -70.962

Burnt Meadow Mountain, Brownfield

This mountain has three summits that are all about the same elevation and offer great views of the surrounding area. Hiking to the summit, about 1,100-foot elevation gain within 1.2 miles, is a solid challenge for older kids.

WHY WE LIKE IT: There are plenty of places within a mile of the trailhead to sit and soak up the sun and enjoy the mountain views while eating a picnic lunch. We’ve actually never climbed to the summit on this mountain because the goal each time we’ve visited has been more about finding a nice place to relax and enjoy the view. The trail is good for little ones if the goal is hiking the first half-mile and staking out a place to spread out the picnic blanket, which was our first introduction to the trail when the girls were 5 and 7 years old.

OTHER: The start of this trail is to the right of the trailhead parking area. Don’t be confused with another spread of trees that looks like a trail. The real one is marked with light blue trail blazes.

GETTING THERE: The trailhead is on Route 160, about three miles from the junction of routes 113 and 5 in Brownfield. The trailhead is not well marked and is easy to miss unless cars are already parked there. GPS Coordinates: 43.9177, -70.8830

Burnt Meadow Mountain

Map created by EveryTrail

Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine November 2008

Kid Tracks Column: A-maze-ing Fun

The truth is, corn mazes are all about getting lost.

My family really enjoys our yearly visits to the Pumpkin Valley Corn Maze in Dayton and this year’s spider web theme made for another fun – and challenging – corn maze adventure for us.

At the entrance to the maze at Pumpkin Valley, a “corn cop” explains a bit about the maze and gives visitors a passport. By answering the trivia questions (there are a bunch of different themed passports to choose from) at each numbered marker within the maze, visitors can get a clue about which way to turn at that marker to find the next one. And here’s a tip: The answers to the passport questions are very tiny and upside down on the bottom of the page if you need extra help (don't mock the idea, you may feel the need to look when you're truly lost in the maze). But knowing the answer isn’t all that helpful at times because even with the correct first turn, you are often faced with many more navigation decisions to get to the next marker.

And let me clarify something now. Everyone is a critic about which path to follow when you're in the maze.

“I know which way to go, mommy, and it’s not that way,” my 10-year-old told me after five minutes in the maze.

So I decided to put her I-know-what-I’m-doing and you’re-not-too-smart-mom notions to the test by asking her to be in charge of leading the family through the maze.

It was not long before the maze’s spider webs had us passing through the same area over and over again.

“No, you’re taking the wrong way. We’re walking in circles again,” my 12-year-old told her younger sister when we were looking for our fifth marker.

OK, so you’ve got to set some ground rules with siblings at the start and give each a turn to be the leader so everyone has a chance to be humbled by the experience. Then you can watch those same siblings share a smile a bit later while in the throes of victory over finding an elusive marker, or when they discover the stairs to one of the bridges that overlook the cornfield.

But also expect that after an hour in the maze and more than a mile and half of walking, the kids might share another moment of conciliation and make a joint declaration that their parents take over and “find the end because we’re getting hungry.”

We brought along our GPS unit on this adventure, not to help us find our way through the maze (that’s cheating!), but to save a track of our path through the maze to see if we could “draw” the maze’s design.

Needless to say we did not come close to re-creating the design with our track. But after downloading it at home, we did have a few laughs about how many times we walked over the same path trying to find a way out of that particular area.

We were also surprised to discover that we had covered 1.8 miles in the maze from start to finish.

Not only is walking around in a corn maze a lot of fun, it's a great opportunity to get some exercise on a beautiful fall day.

We’ve been to two corn mazes in Maine this season and each has its own unique features in addition to their mazes.

Pumpkin Valley Farm offers wagon rides to pick pumpkins, a mini maze for young children and a playground complete with slides, tire swings, a corn kernel box (like a sand box but filled with kernels of corn instead) and some farm animals to feed. They also have a corn cannon – an ingenious device powered by a compressor with a steel barrel that can shoot ears of corn at targets in a field – that was admired and well-used by the male population (both young and old) visiting the farm. The Almeida dad was not immune to the cannon's allure and he was quite smitten after hitting a wooden target with it.

Zach’s Corn Maze in York has flashlight tag every weekend night (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), which my kids are itching to try this month because we couldn't stay until dark the day we visited in September. This maze also offers a pleasant 20-minute tractor ride to the maze entrance (included in the admission price) and pumpkin picking for an additional fee as well. My kids enjoyed this maze but without numbered markers to find, we did not cover as much ground within the maze as we usually do at Pumpkin Valley.

Visiting a corn maze is a fall tradition for my family and over the years we’ve learned a few things about making the most out of this seasonal activity.

* Bring a bottle of water. It might not seem like you’re going on a long hike but depending on the navigation skills of your children and/or you, the possibility of getting lost in the maze for more than an hour is a good one. If you’ve got little ones in tow, it’s best to anticipate their need for a drink when you are truly lost in the maze
and cannot make a quick exit to get one from the car.

* Encourage everyone to use the bathroom before entering the maze. It’s obvious, I know, but even if no one has to “go,” have them try anyhow. You’ll be glad you did when you’re an hour into the maze and have no idea how to get out and no bathroom in sight.

* Wear layers. Even when the temperature is brisk, you can still work up a sweat walking through the maze.

* Wear old shoes or boots. We visited Zach’s Corn Maze the day after a rainstorm and it was muddy, with a couple of big puddles. At the time we wished we had worn rubber boots. But even when the ground is not wet, the clay dirt and sand in corn mazes are like glue (a friend described it as mortar-like and I don’t think she’s too far off), so it’s best to wear footwear you don’t mind getting dirty.

* Bring a sense of humor. Whether you put the kids in charge of navigating the family through the maze or you do it yourself, you are likely to get confused and lose your way at some point. Every time my family has been in the thick of the corn maze we’ve overheard a heated discussion (involving kids and/or adults) about which path to follow next. The best way to avoid sibling fallouts (or spousal ones) in the maze is to make sure everyone has a time period when they are in charge of making the navigational decisions.

And I’ll let my kids wrap up this outdoor adventure with their thoughts about our latest trip to Pumpkin Valley.

10-YEAR-OLD: “I liked the corn maze but I got mad that we went in circles. I liked being the leader but the maze kept taking me in circles. I loved the tire swing and slides in the playground. My sister tried to bury me in the corn (kernel) box but the corn was so cold. And the corn cannon was loud but my daddy really liked it.”

12-YEAR-OLD: “This was a very long maze and there were a lot of circles. It was fun and there were some bridges so we could see the paths we just took from the top of the bridge. We did go around in a lot of circles and I knew we were doing that but my sister refused to believe that when she was the leader. And if you see our GPS track, we did go in circles a lot.”

Pumpkin Valley Corn Maze

We covered 1.8 miles during our corn maze adventure in about an hour and a half.

Zach's Corn Maze

We spent about an hour in the maze and covered 1.1 miles of walking.
See photos from Zach's Corn Maze

In the Maze at Pumpkin Valley


Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine, October 2008

Kid Tracks Column: Hitting trails with tweens

At 10 and 12 years old, my daughters have developed a level of fitness that has allowed us to explore more challenging mountain trails. We still enjoy the “easy” (i.e., short, minimal elevation gain trails) like the 1.25-mile loop around Mackworth Island, but the girls can only take so much of my reminiscing about how much they have grown. I clearly remember the days when it was an accomplishment for them to hike around that island.

“Mom. We’re not babies anymore.”

Oh yes, how well I know.

So my family has set our sights on hiking mountain trails, both to challenge the girls as well as help me accept the fact that my babies are growing up (and remind me that that is a good thing!).

Finding trails that are challenging but doable for my tweens (with an average fitness level for their age) has been a bit tricky. I’ve asked many hiking friends and acquaintances (with children and not) for advice about Maine trails. I’ve also inquired about how accurate the ratings are in a popular hiking guide book. In my experience
'easy’ is relative to an adult’s fitness level, not a tween. That’s not a criticism, just a reality check on how to go about choosing hikes that will offer up a challenge and still be a fun adventure for everyone in the family.

So below are a couple of mountain trails my family has hiked recently and our thoughts about them.

BLUEBERRY MOUNTAIN
The summit of Blueberry Mountain is in the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness north of Fryeburg. With a significant elevation gain, this can be challenging for a 10-year-old but doable if she has an average fitness level and you pack a favorite treat for the frequent breaks you might need to take during the ascent.

On this trip we hiked up the White Cairn Trail to Blueberry Ridge Trail, then looped back down Stone House Trail. The loop was about four and a half miles total. The White Cairn Trail was a challenge for the girls with a steep area that required climbing a couple of large rocks with tricky footholds. We took a short detour off the Stone House Trail on the way down the mountain to visit Rattlesnake Pool. It was an amazingly deep, clear pool and not a spot to be missed on these trails. Your tired feet will thank you for the cool dip.

TRAIL: White Cairn Trail to Blueberry Ridge Trail to Stone House Trail
NEAREST TOWN: Gilead
TRAILHEAD: It’s on Stone House Road off Route 113, about 1.3 miles north of Cold River camp. Park at the steel gate.
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,150 feet
SUMMIT: 1,750 feet
MILEAGE: approximately 4.5-mile loop
DIFFICULTY: Moderate for tweens, difficult for children under 8 years old
NOTE: Because we hiked this trail in mid-August, we were treated to an abundance of blueberries ready to be picked and eaten around the mountain.
ALTERNATIVES TO SUMMIT: The Stone House Trail was an easy, level path with a slight elevation gain just before the spur to Rattlesnake Pool. It would be a doable 2-mile loop from the trail head for young children (we saw several headed there the day we visited).
PHOTOS: See more photos from the trail

KIDS’ REVIEW:
10-year-old: “I liked this trail even though it was kind of steep and long. I didn’t like the big rocks I had to climb because there wasn’t any places for my feet. I packed some candy because it’s like my medicine to keep me going. I had Pop-Rocks this time. I also liked eating all the blueberries on the trail. Now I know why they call it Blueberry Mountain. I loved Rattlesnake Pool and that was my favorite part of the trail. I put my feet in the pool to cool off and it felt really good.”

12-year-old: “At the beginning it was easy and then in the middle of the hike up the mountain it got harder. Once you reach the top of Blueberry Mountain it is a really pretty view. Going down the Stone House Trail was easier. The pool was really cool and it looked like a tropical beach with three shades of different greens with a waterfall. And there were no leeches in there.”

TABLE ROCK AT GRAFTON NOTCH STATE PARK
We hiked the Appalachian Trail to Table Rock last year and I was glad I waited until my youngest was 9 years old before trying this hike. The climb is steep but not too difficult if you plan for frequent breaks with favorite treats. The kids loved Table Rock and felt a
real sense of accomplishment for having hiked to it.

This year we hiked to Table Rock (per the girls’ request) and then continued on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in hopes of reaching the West Peak of Bald Pate Mountain. It was an overly ambitious goal and one we did not think we’d reach on this trip but decided we’d give it a whirl anyhow. We made it to the Bald Pate Lean-to which was a little over half a mile short of the West Peak. The girls enjoyed the hike to Table Rock but after that point it was difficult and strenuous for them. I think we’re still a couple of years away from getting to the west peak (which is at 3,662 feet). The Lean-to, at 2,700 feet, marked about 4 miles of mountain hiking for us that day (and included another couple ahead of us to get back to the car). To our way of thinking it was a good effort and a solid first attempt for the girls to summit such a large mountain.

TRAIL: Appalachian Trail to Table Rock Trail
NEAREST TOWN: Newry
TRAIL HEAD: About 12 miles from the intersection of Route 26 and Route 2 in Newry. It’s marked on the left side of the road.
ELEVATION GAIN: About 900 feet
SUMMIT: (Table Rock is not a summit, it’s a vista point on Bald Pate Mountain at 1,400 feet)
MILEAGE: approximately 3 miles roundtrip to Table Rock
DIFFICULTY: Moderate for tweens, Difficult for children under 8 years old
NOTE: There are metal bars that serve as stairs to climb the rock to get on to Table Rock. Some children may find them scary to climb down but there is an unmarked alternate path around them if you look for it. The view is beautiful on Table Rock but keep kids away from the sheer drop-off. Also, depending on the time of year you visit, you may run into AT thru-hikers (they hike from Maine to Georgia or vice-versa) and many are willing to chat with kids about their hiking adventure. We’ve been lucky enough to run into a few and my kids have enjoyed chatting with the “professional hikers.”
PHOTOS: See more photos from the trail

KID’S REVIEW:
10-year-old: “It was a steep climb to Table rock but it was OK. The metal bar steps are OK but they made me a little nervous going down but the second time it was easier. Table Rock is a great view and you can see the Eyebrow Trail on the mountain across the street. That Eyebrow Trail was scary when I hiked that last year and I'm glad I hiked Table Rock instead.”

12-year-old: “Getting up to Table Rock was steep but it wasn’t too bad. The view is very good at the top. You can see a lot of different mountains. My sister got a little freak-out going down the metal stairs but they are not that bad.”

Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine, September 2008

Letting go of the little things

Sometimes I make a suggestion to one of the girls and it leads to an argument, which often times has nothing to do with the original suggestion. A few times recently we've had words over the smallest things (hello puberty) so I have found myself choosing to keep my mouth shut and let some stuff go.

But in the spirit of full disclosure, sometimes it isn't worth the argument because the girls go out of their way to prove me wrong. I think that falls under the heading of "life purpose" at our house lately.

For instance there is L. and her stuffed animal (mostly WebKinz) fetish. She has to have a synthetic stuffed friend everywhere we go, even when it will be a hindrance - like hiking the Appalachian Trail to the Bald Pate Lean-to (with Table Rock detour) we visited last weekend. I would not recommend hiking up a very large mountain (6 miles round trip with a 1,700-foot elevation gain) carrying a stuffed animal in your hand but L. has proven it is possible. She also took the time after this particular hike to let me know how much her stuffed animal "loved it."

And G., who always has to wear soft and comfortable clothes, is in a fleece skirt phase (one that's going on its third year). Again, I would not recommend hiking very large mountains in a fleece skirt in the summer (or wearing any kind of fleece in 80+ degree weather). But G. has proven that it is possible to be both comfortable and competent hiking a mountain in a skirt. (Note to moms of kids with sensory integration issues: Clothing choices can make interesting fashion statements in the tween years.)

And to share a "tip" from L., who proved her dad wrong recently when he strongly suggested she wear lightweight pants on a hiking trail to keep from getting bug bites (and ticks), that wearing capris tucked in to knee socks is the only way to go.

"I wore my capris so if I got hot I could roll them up and roll my knee socks down. But if the bugs got crazy I could cover my legs up quick."

On that trail L. was quite a fashion statement but I can't fault the practical application. She managed to avoid poison ivy at Blueberry Mountain and I did not.

OK, so Fino suggested I wear pants on that trail too but I blew him off. I guess I have some life purpose left in me too when it comes to my spouse.

Almeida fashion

And no outdoor adventure is complete without one of L.'s friends.

A hot and sweaty L. at the Bald Pate Lean-to on the AT with 'Hiking Kitty.'

New goals for kids (and mom)

Being 10- and 12-years old and having several years of hiking under their belts, the girls have been ready for more challenging adventures. Last year we hiked to Table Rock (about 1/3 of the way up Bald Pate) and The Eyebrow (about 1/4 of the way up Old Speck) in Grafton Notch State Park. Table Rock was on the Appalachian Trail and that was a goal last summer, to hike a piece of that trail in Maine. After seeing the view from Table Rock, the girls decided it would be cool to hike the trail across the notch the following week. We braved the Eyebrow Trail and the girls decided that trails with bars, metal wires and open rock faces weren't really their cup of tea.

But they did it and I was darn proud of them.

So now that the thunderstorms have taken a vacation (hopefully for a long while!), we're on to our fall agenda -- hiking to mountain summmits.

Our goal is to hike to summits higher than 1,500 feet around Maine over the next couple of years. Part of our plan is to take a photo on the summit of each one (like the "real hikers" do). We've been thinking about the idea for a while and our hikes to the top of the South Bubble and Gorham Mountain in Acadia earlier this spring cinched the idea that this was the year to go for it.

A friend recommended Blueberry Mountain in the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness north of Fryeburg and we decided that should be next on our list so we could visit in August during blueberry season.

It was a challenging 4 1/2-mile hike with a 1,300' elevation gain that was made more interesting because we could pick (and eat) blueberries along the way. We ate a ton (we've never been good at collecting and saving for later). We were also rewarded with a stop at Rattlesnake Pool near the end of the hike. We could have looped the mountain trails with this as a first stop (there's minimal elevation gain so an easy hike for younger kids to this spot on the Stone House Trail) but decided it was better left to the end as something to look forward to. The natural pool was an amazing site and a perfect place to cool our tired hiking feet.

So our plan for summit shots is now officially underway and the girls have already met their first challenge of a 1,751' summit.

There is a secondary reason for this new family goal however, to help me handle my daughters' move from their tween to teen years. Some days it makes me sad to think how much my babies have grown. And truth be told, I simply haven't felt ready for the jump to the new phase of teenager-hood. But now I feel like I have something to look forward to beyond the mood swings and overall insanity that come with raising teens.

And the girls, well, hopefully they'll keep up with their current MO of talking about everything under the sun while we're out on the trail.

The natural world really does have so many interesting layers.

We're keeping track of our summit shots, which start in 2003 with smaller mountains, on MaineOutdoorJournal.com

[L. carried the GPS unit on her backpack during the hike so we uploaded a track of the trail in case you're interested in giving it a whirl with your tweens/teens.]

Blueberry Ridge Trail at EveryTrailMap created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging