Sequoia tells mom and dad to take a hike....

Today was a busy day for Sequoia. She had to take Colleen in for her doctor's appointment. That meant her first ride back in to Newport News and the scene of her dramatic entrance in to this world. She was on the go from around 12 noon until 5. The doctors visit went well and colleen is healing up very nicely. When I got home from work Colleen suggested that we take Sequoia on her first hike through our woods. We have always spent a lot of our time hiking (we met on a hike in Oregon 7 years ago) and are very excited about introducing Sequoia to one of our bigger passions. Of course at this point she more closely resembles the actual back pack than the hiker.
I was happy to break out the Baby Bjorn that my parents gave us at the baby shower and load our little papoose for a trip around the trail. It was a beautiful Spring afternoon with a nice breeze blowing white clouds through blue skies, temperatures in the mid 60's and the dogwoods just beginning to bloom. The late afternoon sun was highlighting the softly colored new leaves and everything about the day requested that you take a few moments just to enjoy the beauty of it all.

Well that's how Colleen, the dogs and I saw it. Who can guess how Sequoia saw it with her limited vision and all. She did seem to be very happy and liked the fresh breeze and the different sounds. I think the carrier is designed to lull her to sleep, and it is evidently good at that. We stopped several times and I let her lean back in the carrier and she seemed comforted and fascinated with the patterns of the moving trees and leaves.
The dogs are figuring her out as well, and just as we thought, Rogue seems to understand what she is and how he needs to act, while Yukon the wild child (still a pup himself) is just a bit too fascinated and forward to interact well with her yet. He tries very hard though and I am sure he will get it pretty soon.
Sequoia's first hike must have been a good one because she had the same reaction her dad does after a satisfying hike - she crashed outside and let the cool breezes sooth her tired muscles. It was, after all, a very full day for our little adventurer.