Hiking Minnesota’s Eagle Mountain

     I knew I had hiked Eagle Mountain in the past but for some reason I didn’t remember it the way it looked on Friday when I hiked it again.  I’m not sure why that would be… Perhaps it’s because the last time I did it I remember having a backpack with a baby on my back? I guess I need to dig out the old pictures to remember which baby it was and if my other baby was hiking it.

     I begged my almost 13-year old daughter to hike the trail with me. She begged to not have to hike it. After 30 minutes of discussion we came to an agreement that she could hike in 30 minutes and then turn back to wait for me in the car. She doesn’t like to hike and would rather clean her room, study, do dishes or just about anything other than go hiking.  I like her to get out in the fresh air and spend time with me.

     It was a beautiful day for a hike. The temperature was in the 30’s, the sun was shining brightly and there was just a slight wind. We hiked through cedar trees, across boardwalks and past beaver ponds. I was suprised there were 4 other vehicles in the parking lot on November 1st. It seemed like alot of people out hiking on a Friday morning.

     Abby put her time in and then I contrinued to the summit on my own.  It’s a 7 mile round trip hike and the last ascent isn’t too tough if you take it slow. The view from the top is beautiful even in the fall when there are no leaves left on the trees.

     The best part of the hike? Spending time in the great outdoors with my daughter. Who in spite of the fact she didn’t want to be there actually walked near me, left her ipod out of her ear and talked to me. Those are the moments I live for.