All That

Trail junction, Bear Run Nature Preserve, PA

A long time ago, when Molly and I were dating, she wrote a story about me . . . er, about kayaking . . . er, about relationships. Okay, so maybe it was about how I was a lousy boyfriend every time it rained. The story appeared in the My Turn column in NEWSWEEK, a periodical you may have heard of. Unfortunately, NEWSWEEK doesn't keep its all of its content archived online. Never fear; it can be found here.

So, maybe it's my turn now.


Some random yet noteworthy details: We once went on a trip that included a rustic cabin and a 7-mile moonlight hike. Toward the end she was really looking forward to the hike being over so she invited me to run with her. It was 2 am and we ran 2 miles in boots through the woods. That was the night we met, and it kind of sealed the deal.

Indie, one week in

She loves sleeping in a tent, far more than I do. And campfires.
A branch used as a support in our hoopah later became a walking stick which now hangs in our home. When I gave it to her after finishing it as a walking stick, she asked that if there is ever a fire in our home, that I save that first. (We've had kids since then so I'm guessing she'd make the stick my third retrieval.) Instead of those professional photos that people take of their babies, Molly stuck our first kid into the boots I have used on many of our adventures.She passed that around to our family.

We're kind of perfect for each other.

Molly and I have established a semi-annual tradition where we rough it for a couple days with no kids or phones. It's a breather, a chance to reconnect and take stock. The trips are often a bit on the masochistic side (long days packing, jogging the river shuttle, etc.), probably so we don't slip into boredom and start to miss our kids. And the kids don't even miss us because their uncles, aunts, and grandparents engage in attempts to undo all of our parenting by busting out all their ammunition: unlimited sweets, junk food, dollar store toys, and relaxed rules.

Along Big Sandy

Otter Creek Wilderness, WV

We're racking up quite a list, and this is just the beginning. We've packed into and out of the Otter Creek and Dolly Sods Wilderness Areas, Bear Run Nature Preserve, spots in the PA state forests and parks that shoulder the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, and WV's North Fork Mt. Trail. We "found" Indie Falls on an unnamed tributary of French Creek as well as the Otis Rocks outcropping at the top of the French Creek canyon. We've bushwhacked through areas where no trail exists to find National Falls on the Upper Yough and the entire stretch of the Lower Big Sandy. We've discovered that we prefer a "base camp" loop itinerary to increase mileage on pack trips. She's not so much into boating (I know, a shocker given the article above) but we've managed to find our way onto the Casselman, Yough, Indian, and French and she might even admit that she has enjoyed several snowstorms on the water. In general we avoid campgrounds, especially if they include mini-golf.

Like I said, perfect.

Now, what could be better than marrying your adventure partner? That's easy: kids that can't wait to come along for the next trip!