My 2 sons and their friends went hiking on the Appalachian Foothills Trail in January.  Here is my son’s description from his Facebook page.   

  

They were hiking for about a week in freezing temperatures.  My oldest son had hiked this trail before and is an experienced outdoorsman. He spends lots of time camping in all kinds of weather.  But it was suppose to be super cold. 

   

 

 

Fun, right?!  When children reach their twenties, there is no holding on anymore. They make their own decisions and their own fun. 

   

   

There was one night in particular when the temperatures were predicted to drop into the single digits. I was concerned but then became really worried when the other moms and some grandparents started calling me and asking me what we should do. Do???  What in the world could we do?  

I have tried so hard during this time in the lives of our nearly grown children to not coddle and protect too much. It is such a hard transition. I’ve spent their entire lives caring for them and helping them navigate life. But I owed it to the other parents to try and do something. 

I called several of the parks that afternoon along the trail and finally one lady said that she thought their car was in the parking lot. I thanked her even though the only thing that told me was that they were definitely still out on the trail in these frigid temperatures and that someone knew in South Carolina that those boys were loved and prayed for.  Then I called the other moms with the little bit that I knew. 

The next day they called when they got to a spot where they had a sliver of reception. We were all elated!  They would be off the trail by supper time. 

They told us later that they met a couple of guys on that last day going the opposite way. After their initial greetings, the men asked them, “Are you from Arkansas?”  Our boys looked at each other puzzled. The men then explained, “Your parents have been calling the park to check on you .” 

My cover was blown. I still want to protect and care for them. However, I will continue to fight the instinct to keep them nice and safe. They have to live and experience life on their own terms…while I watch and pray. 

They did let me make a few things to help them keep up their energy on the trail. 

Their favorite thing I made was Energy Bites.  You may have seen them around the web lately. Here is my take on them. 

1 c. Old Fashioned Oats

1/2 c. Natural Peanut Butter

1/3 c. Honey

1/2 c. Crushed Flaxsed Cereal or whatever you have

1/2 c. Mini Chicolate Chips

1/2 c. Coconut, unsweetened

1/3 c. Pecans, chopped or whatever nuts you have

1 t. Vanilla

Mix all together. Refrigerate 30 minutes so they will hold together. Roll into small balls. Cover and refrigerate or keep in the freezer.  It makes about 24 bites. 

  

  

I’m honored that you stopped by to read my blog. 

I hope you have a great day!