Epic hikes with Savannah
Hi {{first_name}}
This weekend has big spring energy. The cold has finally been kicked out, the pollen is almost done doing its worst, and the trails and parks are lush and just waiting for you.
It's also a big news day for Savannah and me.
She has convinced me that the ultimate mother-daughter adventure is to hike Half Dome in Yosemite National Park — 16 miles return, nearly 5,000 feet of elevation, with a terrifying finish up the steep face of the dome itself.
I genuinely don't know if I'm hoping for a yes or a no. Because the world is full of crazy people, and demand for this hike is high, the yes or no today comes via a lottery system for a permit. Savannah has been counting down Verdict Day for 6 weeks.
When my daughters set big, audacious goals, I'm not going to stand in their way — I'm going to stand beside them. But my tired, comfy self is very quietly longing for a gentle, flat wander around Raleigh.
This is not Savannah's first epic hike, mind you. When she was 7, she convinced me to join her and her similarly fearless little friends on a hike to Sahale Glacier in North Cascades National Park — 15 miles return, 4,000 feet of elevation, three black bears encountered, one glacier touched, and one exhausted mum carrying her the last hour.
No wonder she struggles to see the point of school now. As she said about her homeschooling journey with me for 7 years - “Get real Mum. You didn’t do much teaching. All we did was national parks and epic hikes.” Welcome to Makepeace Academy!
If we do get the yes, we'll both be training with some local hikes before we go. I know you're laughing — right along with me — at the idea of a Raleigh Half Dome simulation training hike.
But yes. Spring energy this weekend. Get outside and soak it up. Tidy the yard, wash down that pollen, take a hike, enjoy a festival, stop and actually look at the azaleas. Soak up the beauty and brevity of spring while it's here — soon enough the humidity will roll in and stifle us all.
Caroline
P.S. In other big news, Artemis II is splashing down in the Pacific near San Deigo at 8:07pm. And here I am worried about Half Dome! Did their journey not make you fall more in love with Mother Earth!
If I Were Planning My Weekend, I’d …
Paddle board Lake Johnson (doing it today!! #happyplace)
Walk through the WRAL Azalea Gardens (it’s their time of year)
History Lovers: Visit Historic Halifax for their Halifax Resolves America250 celebrations - the Birthplace of Independence!
Kids Young & Old: Skate Moore Square is on all weekend with all kinds of open skating, lessons, trick contest, BMX demoes and more.
Earth to Raleigh: 4th Annual Earth Day Festival at Clouds Brewing live music, local artists, community organizations, fun activities for kids, live caricatures, henna, a local food truck,
Local Spotlight: Squeegee Squad
Are you ready for that yellow dust to get off your property? Without having to do the laborious pollen cleaning tasks yourself? The Squeegee Squad is ready to help and currently taking spring cleaning appointments. They can help you with your window cleaning & pressure washing! Can’t wait for our porch to return to its normal shade of blue this week!
A Few More Things Before You Go
Some favorite finds, news to know, and ideas
Last night I went to the Ladies Laugh Lounge with friends at Goodnight’s Comedy Club. Laugher with friends is really great medicine! I hope to get to more comedy shows - we’re lucky to have this venue in Raleigh.
Four buildings in Dix Park near the sunflower fields, cemetery and Big Field will begin falling down... intentionally. Time to make more room for nature!
A $660,000 budget has been approved to bring back Dix Park’s fireworks show this July 4th to honor America’s 250th anniversary. I just don’t know how I feel about that.
How do you feel about fireworks?
If You Missed It This Week
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