Cailynn, your little one is off to such a good start! Yes, he will be an outdoor enthusiast because you and your husband are taking the time to make mountain hikes comfortable and this attitude means enjoyable as your little guy gets older. I love the "no expectations" rule! My daughters are both in their forties and love being in the out of doors with children and dogs! When they were two and six, we had an opportunity to stay at a friend's home in the mountains of Switzerland! The six year old got her first pair of hiking boots there and promptly took them to bed with her instead of a teddy bear. The two year old rode in a baby backpack and loved the sound of the cow bells as we hiked the hillsides which, as well as cows, were full of wild flowers. Hiking in Switzerland with young children was easier than in the Rockies as we kept coming across mountain inns with food and washrooms!
I had a similar experience this summer with Giant Cedars. Driving out to the coast was always a "strap in and don't stop" experience growing up (except for a stop at Sicamous for a picnic and a swim) and I'd carried it forward in my many drives back and forth. This summer's trip included the dog which meant more stops, including my first time at Giant Cedars too, and it was so rewarding (also highly recommend the Othello Tunnels at Hope). A reminder that all that journey/destination stuff is true.
Cailynn, your little one is off to such a good start! Yes, he will be an outdoor enthusiast because you and your husband are taking the time to make mountain hikes comfortable and this attitude means enjoyable as your little guy gets older. I love the "no expectations" rule! My daughters are both in their forties and love being in the out of doors with children and dogs! When they were two and six, we had an opportunity to stay at a friend's home in the mountains of Switzerland! The six year old got her first pair of hiking boots there and promptly took them to bed with her instead of a teddy bear. The two year old rode in a baby backpack and loved the sound of the cow bells as we hiked the hillsides which, as well as cows, were full of wild flowers. Hiking in Switzerland with young children was easier than in the Rockies as we kept coming across mountain inns with food and washrooms!
Lovely pictures, and fantastic perspective on how changing circumstances can bring different ways to enjoy the outdoors!
I had a similar experience this summer with Giant Cedars. Driving out to the coast was always a "strap in and don't stop" experience growing up (except for a stop at Sicamous for a picnic and a swim) and I'd carried it forward in my many drives back and forth. This summer's trip included the dog which meant more stops, including my first time at Giant Cedars too, and it was so rewarding (also highly recommend the Othello Tunnels at Hope). A reminder that all that journey/destination stuff is true.