A Walk in the Woods

On Saturday we went to Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, where they have nice hiking trails and pretty views. The fall colors were at their peak in our area, and it was a gorgeous day, so we thought it would be a great weekend activity.

 Beautiful hiking trail

 Beginning our ascent on the mild incline, Oliver holding Mommy's hand.

 Marty got a cool shot looking up at the fall colors.

Stopping to climb a rock.

I did it!

 Oliver thinks hiking uphill is hard, so Daddy gives him a ride.

I don't have to walk and I get to play with leaves? This is fun!

 Onward we walk . . .

 Marty stops to peruse the trail map. How much farther to the top?

 Too far with a 28 pound squirmy toddler on your neck, so down we go.

 Taking a break, and checking the blackberry for nearby restaurants for lunch.

Oliver finally decides to walk . . .

but only for a minute. Back on Daddy's shoulders as we follow half the population of Connecticut down the mountain. Not the nice, peaceful, relaxing walk we thought it would be. Instead it was crowded, Mommy tweaked her bad foot halfway up, and Oliver was whiny. Our normally curious toddler who loves to run around and explore every rock, leaf, and stick wanted very little to do with nature that day. Five minutes worth of exploring was apparently enough for him. Oh well, at least it was pretty.