Two Little Gutt Girls: We Make Them Hike

Part of our decision to move to Austin was the appeal of being outdoors more often in a very active community. Since we’ve been here, we’ve been trying to get out and explore the area. A temperate winter combined with endless hiking trails and greenbelts, what’s not to like? Unless you’re nearly three and five. If you’re in preschool, every time your parents request you put your shoes on to leave the house, you need to throw a gigantic fit, roll around and holler because your mean parents actually want to take you outside into nature. NATURE! Even though you are highly absorbed in Mr. Potato Head and giggling about poop, they want you, no expect you to leave your cushy indoor life, wear shoes, and hike.

UGH.

We started out gradually by actually leaving our apartment. Once the kicking and screaming subsided, they actually liked being outside. Go figure?

We ventured out a little further to a local greenbelt. This hike was a little chilly. Temps in the 50s and windy. While not that cold by Minnesotan standards, we weren’t really dressed for it. The girls did not enjoy this hike as much. Especially the little one who wanted to be carried for much of it.

We tried out Austin Nature and Science Center. Not really a hike, but a nature center with a lot of hands-on experiments, animals on display, some walking trails - and really, everything is better when you can dig and uncover bones in the Dino Pit.

Now that the girls were warmed up, we headed out to a local trail near Ella’s future elementary school. This was a more serious trail with some elevation changes, and some cliffs. Both girls did a good job of staying away from the edge of the cliffs, but both tired out/got bored quickly which left Loran and I carrying them. They both zonked out in the car within minutes of leaving the trail, and Lily found a golf ball.

Both girls still protest when we suggest leaving the cozy confines of the apartment. Determined to instill the love of outdoors in them, we laced up our shoes again last weekend to check out Westcave Preserve. There was a lot of protesting from the backseat for 25 of the 30 minute drive. The girls fell asleep during minute 26 and were a joy to wake up. We dragged their sleepy, limp bodies to the welcome center to register for a tour. Westcave only allows visitors on the weekend, and only on a guided tour. When we registered, we were told there were about 125 steps down the canyon to the cave and waterfall. I thought for sure we’d be carrying each girl down 120 of those steps and then back up given their recent prowess with hiking. We started out along the flat trail above the canyon, stopping to enjoy the overlook and learn about some native plants. The girls were grumpy and wanted us to be their pack mules. However, when they saw the primitive looking staircase with a rope handrail, both perked up. Suddenly, they both wanted to be hikers and those stairs were no match for their shorter legs. Sure, we were behind the group, but the girls were happy to tackle those stairs by themselves, with only a little help from us, which was not welcome, for the most part. Once we were down the crevice and into the canyon, we were greeted with a spectacular grotto, pool, small waterfall and a cave. Definitely worth the hike. We explored the grotto with the group and then we all entered the cave. The girls were the first in the cave, very eager to explore. Leaving the cave, the girls were happy to climb those 125 stairs up to the top. Once we got to the flat, easy part of the hike, Lily wanted to be held again. All in all, a very successful hike.

The cave’s stalactites and stalagmites were pretty decimated by the mid-70s when the land was purchased and made into a preserve. Growing a a staggering one inch/decade, they’re slowly on the rebound. There is one set aside for people to touch, but the oils on your fingers ruin the formation which is why the others are left alone. The girls really enjoyed feeling the cold, wet stalagmite.