I believe in Yesterday

The kids are downstate for spring break, visiting their grandparents. Tina wanted to get out for a grownup hike. That doesn't mean anything weird like clothing optional or lugging around a frosty twelve pack. It simply means we can walk as fast as we want without having to lug around all the accessories that accompany kids. We've always encouraged them to pack what they think they'll need and let experience teach the rest.
After making a couple sandwiches and some trail mix we filled the water bottles and hopped in the car. We decided to visit Shalda Creek. That location was the subject of some controversy last year. You can read about that here. By the way, this is the way it looked yesterday. Here is an older picture of that same spot, taken in May. We drove out there and walked the short trail to the beach. We snapped some pictures, skipped a few stones and enjoyed the view. A couple miles down the road is a trail that leads to the start of Shalda Creek. That short trail runs parallel to a steep wooded hill. Back when I first met Tina I took her to this same spot. She asked me about going to the top of that steep wooded hill. I replied by pointing to her very fashionable but un functional shoes and said "You'll never make it in those shoes." Just to show me, she walked up that hill in those ridiculous shoes. I didn't realize it at the time, but I triggered a stubborn episode. I've learned through the years that I will never talk her out of anything by telling her she isn't able to do it. Jon is the same way.
Yesterday, she declared that her footwear was suited to going up that same hill, so we climbed to the top. Wow, that was hard. I have sore legs the next day. Sitting here, I can't imagine how she made it up that same hill wearing goofy ass shoes. I do know that over the years, she has learned how to change her obstinace into determination.
After that adventure, we stopped by a small lake to eat our sandwiches. They were delicious.