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nwhikerSo much of parenting is pushing your kid down the road on their bike, letting go, and watching, praying to a god you don't believe in that if/when the fall comes, it isn't too bad.
And so.
Anne-Chloe embodies, in many ways, the Instagram reels of 'eldest daughters traveling'. (Full disclosure: I think I do too.) She's competent, plans well, and has a good eye for evaluating risk.
She's out on the Olympic Peninsula, hiking and mostly camping for two weeks. Spotty internet, but she's sent us photos when she overnights at a BnB vs in a tent, LOL. I don't know if she's alone, but I do know she's the one driving.
Because yesterday, this was the family Discord exchange.
FTR: Kloshe Nanitch Lookout. The building is no longer there. It was, then it was torn down, then people missed it so they rebuilt it, but it was vandalized so often it was removed again. I didn't know there was a road up there, but I did know there was a trail, but unless you're camping in the area, it's long enough and steep enough... OMG.💡!!! I could hike up and someone would drive me down. I wouldn't have to do the horrid down. OMG. Anyhow.
Also FTR: I don't drive roads like that, dh does. I cannot deal with backing up, I suck at it normally and it's one of those car things that if I get flustered at all I try to override by driving instincts with my brain and end up doing bad things. So one lane roads up mountains with pullouts and potential for back up? Not my forte. Could I do it if it was a crisis? Yes. Do I want do. NOPE. Anyhow.
Anyhow. despite my get someone else to drive quip, I didn't do want I wanted to do which was of course to tell her don't go, be careful, walk it, whatEVER. Dh detailed the decision points. Etc. But really, I just wanted her to stay on normal flat, straight, dry roads and certainly not to drive up a one lane road up a freaking mountain. But yeah. You watch them ride away, flying down the pavement, and you hope.
I do trust her though. When she was in HS, she went on her school's mandatory Outdoor Education backpacking trip. Thus came one of my proudest parenting moments, when I chatted with the Outdoor Ed prof after the fact. It was a late fall backpacking trip in the North Cascades Wilderness, so not small stakes. The group got to a good potential camping spot some time before dark. However, the best spot was a few miles ahead and some of them wanted to push on. Kent, the prof, left the decision up to the kids, since it was a controlled choice. There were the 'let's get to the better spot' kids and then there was Anne-Chloe who spoke up for staying, pointing out that they knew (light) snow was expected, that they'd get to the other camp well after dark, and that everyone in the group was not experienced at setting up tents at all, let alone in the dark. She argued that while the other spot might be nicer, considering the group, the time, the weather, making camp where they were was the better decision. The group ended up siding with her, and they stayed. My moment of pride came when Kent told me that this was the decision he hoped they'd come to because he thought pushing on would be safe but miserable. He was thrilled that Anne-Chloe had evaluated the situation and laid out her arguments and convinced the others, even the push-oners that this was the better choice. This is what we tried to teach her to do when we took them camping and hiking all through their lives, to weigh risk decisions carefully. All that to say that I knew, even as I cringed at the thought of her driving up that road, that we'd tried to give her the ability to evaluate her skills and the situation and make the best decision.
Anyhow.
And so.
Anne-Chloe embodies, in many ways, the Instagram reels of 'eldest daughters traveling'. (Full disclosure: I think I do too.) She's competent, plans well, and has a good eye for evaluating risk.
She's out on the Olympic Peninsula, hiking and mostly camping for two weeks. Spotty internet, but she's sent us photos when she overnights at a BnB vs in a tent, LOL. I don't know if she's alone, but I do know she's the one driving.
Because yesterday, this was the family Discord exchange.
AC — Yesterday at 09:16
Just, quick gut check please, I'm a competent driver yes? Driving up to a lookout and forest service says "experienced back road drivers and vehicles with high clearance" and I'm second guessing myself. I've looked at reviews (and then snooped the accounts of the reviewers to see what else they reviewed) and the ones who complained or said it was very sketchy tended to have more...city reviews. And I think the fact I'm questioning it at all means I'll probably be fine, but I'm just second guessing myself I think
Steep, one way with turnouts. Conditions as of yesterday were favorable, no reported washouts.
Kloshe Nanitch Lookout
Me — Yesterday at 10:00
Ooof. You are probably well on your way now, lol. If the weather is OK you should be fine is my guess. Just take it slow, pray to anyone you can that you won't have to back up too far and if you feel insecure just stop. Send photos.
AC — Yesterday at 10:02
Will do, thank you!
Stopped at lake crescent because pretty
frotzthewizard — Yesterday at 10:08
Are you comfortable backing down a rutted steep downhill curve with a 1k foot dropoff on one side? If so, you're good. Take it slow and make sure you know what you're getting into a couple steps before you commit.
Me — Yesterday at 10:09
Marymere Falls. Do it. And remember toddling up it. 😀
frotzthewizard — Yesterday at 10:09
Be especially wary with muddiness though
Me — Yesterday at 10:10
Alternatively you do what I do. Get Papa to drive you up. #OMFGIceland
Linnea — Yesterday at 10:25
Reminds me of a lake I visited in Alaska. Pretty stuff
AC — Yesterday at 11:14
Made it up!
AC — Yesterday at 11:15
Yep that's exactly what I was doing when I was planning this morning
💜
I love that of all places, this has an accessible picnic table
AC — Yesterday at 11:23
Yep. So glad I drove an hour and a half for this incredible view
[image of a rock wall looking over..... clouds. LOL]
It's fkn snowing
Me — Yesterday at 11:29
I am so sorry. Shades of Applecross, right? You can see all the way to the Isle of Skye and even the Outer Hebrides.... riiiiiight...
AC — Yesterday at 11:37
Hahahaha yeah exactly that
Pretty, don't get me wrong, but like...
Me — Yesterday at 11:39
Wow it must be incredible on a nice day!
AC — Yesterday at 11:40
3000ft
Kloshe Nanitch Lookout
Btw
Next time in the area
Me — Yesterday at 11:41
If the snow line permits, some Feb day mebbe.
AC — Yesterday at 13:11
And made it down 🙂
FTR: Kloshe Nanitch Lookout. The building is no longer there. It was, then it was torn down, then people missed it so they rebuilt it, but it was vandalized so often it was removed again. I didn't know there was a road up there, but I did know there was a trail, but unless you're camping in the area, it's long enough and steep enough... OMG.💡!!! I could hike up and someone would drive me down. I wouldn't have to do the horrid down. OMG. Anyhow.
Also FTR: I don't drive roads like that, dh does. I cannot deal with backing up, I suck at it normally and it's one of those car things that if I get flustered at all I try to override by driving instincts with my brain and end up doing bad things. So one lane roads up mountains with pullouts and potential for back up? Not my forte. Could I do it if it was a crisis? Yes. Do I want do. NOPE. Anyhow.
Anyhow. despite my get someone else to drive quip, I didn't do want I wanted to do which was of course to tell her don't go, be careful, walk it, whatEVER. Dh detailed the decision points. Etc. But really, I just wanted her to stay on normal flat, straight, dry roads and certainly not to drive up a one lane road up a freaking mountain. But yeah. You watch them ride away, flying down the pavement, and you hope.
I do trust her though. When she was in HS, she went on her school's mandatory Outdoor Education backpacking trip. Thus came one of my proudest parenting moments, when I chatted with the Outdoor Ed prof after the fact. It was a late fall backpacking trip in the North Cascades Wilderness, so not small stakes. The group got to a good potential camping spot some time before dark. However, the best spot was a few miles ahead and some of them wanted to push on. Kent, the prof, left the decision up to the kids, since it was a controlled choice. There were the 'let's get to the better spot' kids and then there was Anne-Chloe who spoke up for staying, pointing out that they knew (light) snow was expected, that they'd get to the other camp well after dark, and that everyone in the group was not experienced at setting up tents at all, let alone in the dark. She argued that while the other spot might be nicer, considering the group, the time, the weather, making camp where they were was the better decision. The group ended up siding with her, and they stayed. My moment of pride came when Kent told me that this was the decision he hoped they'd come to because he thought pushing on would be safe but miserable. He was thrilled that Anne-Chloe had evaluated the situation and laid out her arguments and convinced the others, even the push-oners that this was the better choice. This is what we tried to teach her to do when we took them camping and hiking all through their lives, to weigh risk decisions carefully. All that to say that I knew, even as I cringed at the thought of her driving up that road, that we'd tried to give her the ability to evaluate her skills and the situation and make the best decision.
Anyhow.
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