The Hike by Shelby Fernandez

I went on a hike with my dog and Dad. When we got there, my Dad, Conrad, took Piper out of the car then we started our hike. I found nuts like acorns. I kept my Dad from getting lost. Oh and we had to go through big water puddles. Then we ate some snacks. We ate Chezze-itz and carmel apple. Then we walked back to the car and drove home. That was the hike I went on.

Taking children out on the trail can be a challenging, but rewarding experience. On our last trip, the weather was great. It was typical fall weather with a slight wind that would cool you down for a second, which makes for a pleasant hike. We didn't really have a destination, we just wanted to explore the Pinhoti starting at the East Armuchee trail head. The most enjoyable thing was how talkative my daughter was during the hike. I taught her about the trail blazes and she lead the way.

Some Tips on hiking with little ones:

• Consider shorter hikes ( 1 to 3 miles ). Be flexible with this.
• Take the family pet, but keep them on a lease.
• Know where you're hiking and make sure the terrain is not too steep.
• Take fun snacks with you. We brought some small packaged container of caramel and apples.
• Try to hike near running water. There is always an attraction to walking near a brook or stream.
• Teach them about the trail. I explained to my daughter about the trail blazes and she managed to keep me from getting lost.
• Bring the camera and share the experience.