A hike was the perfect plan for the day. The boys were excited. It would be a good workout and a chance to be together.
We planned to leave after lunch. I noticed Daniel (ten in November) and Wes (seven in December) scramble for their gear. They had spent the morning studying outdoor catalogs, dreaming of equipment for hiking the Appalachian Trail.
I remembered my own childhood, spending more time reading the Boy Scout handbook than experiencing nature. "Let's just use our daypacks and take a hike this afternoon," I said. The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention. The boys heartily agreed.
After lunch, we headed for the trailhead. Chuck led us. The boys walked ahead with their packs, hats, and water bottles, soon finding walking sticks. I smiled watching Wes shuffle along, struggling with his gear but not uttering a syllable of complaint.
We climbed to the crest of a hill. Finally, I offered to carry Wes's pack. He smiled and handed it over.
The hike was quiet, respecting the "leave no trace" principle. The air was sweet with the scent of autumn. Goldenrod nodded yellow along the trail. We crossed a stream among boulders and came to a view of corn ripening in an undulating field.
Carrying Wes's pack, I asked, "What's in here?"
"A calculator," he said.
I thought I misheard. I expected trail mix, apples, a field guide—anything but that. "What else?"
"That's all."
"It's heavy, Buddy. Books too?"
"No, just the calculator."
Then I realized: he meant the bulky desktop adding machine from home, complete with its power cord and paper roll. I was trekking the outdoors with an adding machine in my pack.
"Why bring it?"
"I just wanted something in my pack," he said.
Kids are full of surprises. I chuckle remembering it, reminded how priceless it is to hike with a little boy.
It's better to live than to watch others pretend to live on TV. Life is good, and people need your love. Get out with your family. Spend time with loved ones. Visit, ride bikes, stroll, take pictures, share coffee and pie.
If you can't think of anything, just throw an adding machine in a backpack and hit the trail.