Maive days! I’ve never had only one young kid. Blaise and Laine were a pair at 10 months apart, and then Saige and Baby were a pair at 12 months apart. It was easy to entertain them on the days we were home since they had each other. And even on days we went out and about, they had each other. Not Maive. I’m her buddy when the older four are gone. It can be draining at home sometimes. Not only is she in her dictator phase, she talks non-stop. It’s a constant stream of consciousness. All the kids were like this about her age. But they had siblings to talk with, giving me a break.
To break up the days I have only Maive, I try to take her out somewhere. Usually it’s local on the trail—where she continues to talk the entire time from the stroller—but sometimes I spice it up and we go do something different. Which is kind of a treat also, since Maive gets dragged around all over the place thanks to the older kiddos’ schedules. This day, we went to the Swamp Trail and continued on to the Big Tree Trail.
Back before Maive, we took all the kids to the Swamp Trail (they look so young!). I figured this was a close, easy trail to take Maive for a morning outing. It’s a short trail with story boards about a Swamp Monster. She was caught up on the monster part, haha. I assured her there was no monster and that we would be safe. At the Highpoint Trailhead, there was ample parking on this cold Monday morning. Although there were several cars—it’s just a big parking lot. It’s always nice to see others out and about, hitting trails. SO many to choose from up here!
The Swamp Trail is a short walk from the parking lot. The Highpoint Trailhead opens up to multiple trails. We were the only ones on the Swamp Monster Trail. At least while going. I thought we’d see other kiddos but nope. Perhaps it was too early and/or too cold for the young ones who would enjoy this trail the most. It was cold. Maive took her time walking the trail, stopping often to look at different things. Mushrooms, moss, trees, downed logs… all the things. All of our kiddos go to or attended outdoor school. They are curious outdoor kiddos!
Hiking with Maive requires patience. I think that’s all things kids. We must have stoped every 10 feet for something. Thankfully we had plenty of time and I wasn’t in a hurry up mood, and went with things. I tend to be a hurry up and let’s be finished kind of person, which I’m trying to work on. Spoiler: it’s hard to change. But I managed to let her lead this day and I think she enjoyed the storyboards. For a 0.5 mile trail (one mile roundtrip) we must have spent a good hour making our way to the 0.5 mile mark. Haha, Maive!
The chatty hiker. We found this hair in a weird pattern?! It almost looked like dog hair but I don’t get the dots. Maive investigated and asked me to take a picture.
Instead of turning back after the Swamp Trail ends, we continued on to the Big Tree Trail. I feel kind of dumb for not knowing about this Big Tree. Apparently it’s one of the largest Douglas firs still standing in the Issaquah Alps. I kind of have a thing for visiting big trees. Anything impressive in nature makes me realize how insignificant we are. I think the most I’ve ever felt insignificant was during the 2017 eclipse. That was impressive. But this Big Tree, also super impressive. It’s just standing there, for years, and continues to do its tree thing with no concern about us. I suppose feeling insignificant is calming to me.
Maive was impressed. Mostly because the tree was so big (and she’s so little in comparison). We read the board and snapped a few pictures before turning back. By now her legs were tired, haha. This is what having one one kid with me is like. I told her she has strong legs and I’m certain she can hike back. She realized I was calling her bluff and continued on. Back before kids, I was somewhere and there was a dad and his son, maybe between ages 4-6. I can’t remember exactly. The kid was complaining about walking and the dad said, “Your legs aren’t painted on.” I had never heard that expression before but it’s always sat with me. Of course I told Maive this and she just looked at me like, huh?
The Big Tree!
Walking back we passed an older man walking his sweet pups. We stopped to pet them, with his permission of course. Then there was a woman trail running, go her. And right as we were nearing the start of the Swamp Trail, there was a mom, grandmother, and two older kids (10-14ish) starting the Swamp Trail. It was nice to see people out and about. It also made it feel less secluded. I’m convinced there are bears and cougars watching us at all times on trails, haha. Okay, not really but I know they’re around.
Not a bad outing with a chatty four-year-old. She did, in fact, talk the ENTIRE time on the trail.
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