The Big Picture

"What is the point of climbing a mountain if you just focus on getting to the top and don't see any of the beautiful things along the trail?"

This is what my daughter said as we started the climb on Mt. Jackson our first 4000'+ peak in New Hampshire.

Of course she is absolutely correct and her mother thinks this must be a sign that she is intelligent enough to know to enjoy all aspects of life and not rush through to reach goal posts.

However, this might just mean that she is happy to look around on today's hike, and that she thinks we won't make it to the top?

Which are her weaknesses and objectives, and which are mine?

Will she do it?

I am not a fool. This isn't my first thirteen year old either. I realize that just becuase she said she wanted to do this last week doesn't mean she will want to do this now, or when I have travel plans arranged.

However, I am heading out to buy boots, just in case.