Lair o' the Bear Park

 Once again, this summer has nearly slipped by and we have yet to take the kids into the mountains (other than for Clint's bike ride, which really doesn't count).  We learned the hard way last year that the kids are NOT avid hikers.  They are fabulous treasure hunters, though!  We haven't visited Lair o' the Bear Park for several years and it is realatively close.  So, we packed a lunch and headed up there. Clint found a "treasure map" or geocache for a kid friendly treasure using some app.  The kids love to follow the compass on the phone to find the treasure.

Lila is actually a decent hiker, as long as you have all day.  She likes to pick up handfuls of dirt and let it slowly sift through her fingers after every few steps.  She's not one that can be hurried either!

Regan found something under the bridge that looked interesting, but was too chicken to climb under there herself.  So she sent the fearless two year old.  Lila didn't hesistate.

Haden is such his father's child.  He scampered out across the river as long as there was a rock within jumping distance.  Just a like a regular mountain goat.

Who needs rocks to cross a river?  On a side note, Lila has fallen in love with pig tails.  She threw an impressive tantrum the one time I tried to style her hair differently.  So, everyday, wherever we go she wears her "two tails".

Regan and Haden prefer blazing their own trail to walking on the established trail.

Clint and Lila instigated a berry fight. I was just hoping that the berries weren't poisonous and no one was going to lick their now purple fingers!

There was a fancy castle across the river.  It really was neat.  I would love to tour it one day.

We were getting close to the treasure, so the kids were all smiles.  When we did find the spot where the treasure was supposed to be, it was missing!  It was supposed to have been hidden in between rocks in a pretty high traffic area.  I suspect someone found it, had no idea what it was, and carried it off.  My kids were devastated!  They complained and complained about how could some mean person steal their treasure? We promised ice cream and that we could make our own treasure on another day to get them in better spirits.  It only kind of worked.  Poor kids!

Lila found a stick that she used as a horse.  She was galloping around neighing!  I guess she didn't realize her treasure had been stolen!

I love this old bridge.  I told the kids there was a troll that lived under it, but they didn't believe me.

This might have been part of the reason that Haden was so distraught.  Our sleeping schedule has been completely off since summer started and I don't think this little kid has been getting nearly enough sleep!  They cheered up by the time we hit the ice cream shop.  Hopefully, we'll be able to find more treasures that haven't been carried off before the summer is over!