The tribe marching up Old Pali Rd to the Lookout - 8 kids and 3 moms!

What a fun hike we had today with old pals and new. We got to see our friends Kristi and her kids (Joel, Rebekah and Caleb) who we met on a space-a trip last fall and have stayed in touch with since. And she brought along Sarah and her two kids, Ellen and Joey. We also had a young guy named Crispin with us who is friends with Kristi’s crew. They all did great hiking through some slick mud then up the Old Pali Rd and its tricky ladder contraption, and finally through stiff wind to the Lookout. We posed for a picture in the “snack cave” – a spot where people would sit for a spell on their way down the Old Pali before the tunnels were built. Then we high-tailed it to less windy ground for more snacks. Just as we were getting comfortable, a rock bounced down the cliff and landed about 10 ft from us! So we moved on again to a spot way down the Old Pali and almost back to the trailhead where we could eat in peace, try to start a fire rubbing sticks together, and tell jokes that Miss Alli would never get (what’s lighter than air that you can’t catch – I guessed a “fart” but now I don’t remember the real answer, Joel!). This is such a great group of kids. Sam told me a couple times “Mom, they’re all homeschooled, like me!” They are so mature, self confident, intelligent and just plain nice people. I’m so thankful that Kristi offered to lend a hand with Ben in the terminal 10 months ago and that we’ve been blessed to remain friends since. Man, they’re making me rethink the Kindergarten decision again!  Aloha, friends! Well done, kids. You did a great job today. I bet you’re sleeping well already ;0