Up Mt. Mansfield...we did it!!!

We made it up Mt. Mansfield last weekend. It definetely was not an easy climb, and it made some of the other climbs we've done earlier in the summer seem like a walk in the park. Right from the start it is straight up and really doesn't let up at all. The mountain gave us all a bit of a beating - and we all came back a little bruised and battered. We were proud though because we set a pretty good pace, even with two little ones, and only one group (two men hiking on their own) passed us - earlier in the season we were getting passed by lots of hikers. We definetely won't be taking Daisy up again as we had to carry her 88+ pound self up difficult sections of the summit ridge. It was definetely a tricky and challenging climb and the summit ridge is quite an adventure - especially with two young kids and a dog you have to carry, but Tanner was very proud to stand on the summit - the highest peak in VT. Cameron was definetely our entertainment crew on this trip, and he kept us smiling with his singing....his favorite song that day was his rendition of "Shake it for me girl" - his version "Shake it for me Buzz Year!" A few friends have told us that now we can call ourselves true Vermonters. Yippee for that!!! We were all happy to have made it and are excited to go up again.....next year!!!! On the way down Tan was talking about how next time he wants to do the full loop so that we get to stand on "the nose" too. Mike and I agree with him. I think that will be a goal for next year. (For those of you who don't know Mt. Mansfield - it resembles the face of a man lying down....the part we climbed - the "chin" is the highest part. But there are other cool parts to climb - the "Adam's apple", the "forehead", the "nose". )