...a very busy weekend ... and a 20 mile hike...

...of course we got our Christmas Tree and set it up on Friday...

...that's all...it still looks exactly like that...we've been too busy to decorate...

...we knew once we announced the move that we'd be visiting with a lot of people...and for that we're thankful...spending time with people now will make the leaving a little easier...

...so I made the Vegan Tofu Chocolate Mousse Pie to take to a little after Thanksgiving gathering...it's always a big hit and you should try it if you haven't already...this time I made it with my homemade vegan chocolate chips...except that I didn't make the chips...I just mixed it up and blended it with the tofu...that's it...so easy...

...then as soon as the Scoutmaster (who also goes to our Church) found out that we were moving...he scheduled the final hike (a 20 mile one) for this weekend so that Scout can finish his Hiking Merit Badge before we move...super nice of him wasn't it...

...the hike was planned for a few trips around the bike path...and we started at 9 AM...

...there was some blowing snow...I thought it was interesting how the wind blew the snow off the path...but left our footprints...

...only two boys accepted the challenge...as it was 30° F (-1° C) and the wind was blowing 35 mph...

...so that means that it feels like 14° F (-10° C)...and it was quite chilly...so we dressed warmly...

...still there was lots of horsing around...

...the boys took every opportunity to walk on the frozen sloughs instead of the path...

...even though we cautioned them that it was more difficult to walk on the slough...and might wear them out more quickly...

...still the lure of the frozen slough was overpowering...and they even went exploring far from the path...

...more rowdy fun...

...throwing snowballs...they never seemed to tire of this...

...every time they passed a bush...they laid down on it to rest...so funny...

...I was actually enjoying the stark weather and light...

...when we walked behind the Catholic School...there was a pile of snow...

...with a partial tunnel that had to be explored...

...and then a train snowplow...

...past the water tower...

...more exploring...

...the wind never let up...

...more resting in bushes...

...another bare tree...it's too cold of course...but it would be fun to do some sketches...

...past the soccer field and more horsing around...

...snow angels on a frozen pond...

...but as the afternoon wore on there was more resting as well...

...crossing the railroad tracks...I love looking up and down railroads don't you...they seem to go on forever and beckon you to travel on them...

...or to lay down and rest beside them apparently...

...through a small grove of trees...

...walking the tracks...

...the sun is setting and we have about 2.5 miles to go...

...so the Man brought Jack to us so he could walk with us...and so we wouldn't have to walk him when we got home...so thankful for this...

...we walk through a residential neighborhood and enjoy the Christmas lights...

...it's getting pretty dark now...

...and it's completely dark when we finish the 20 mile hike at 5:45...so it took us 8 hours and 15 minutes to hike 20 miles...we took a half hour break at 10 miles for lunch...

...we needn't have worried that the hike would be too boring...the boys found plenty of interesting things to see and do...

...so glad to have this hike and merit badge finished...the hikers only need to complete their worksheets and have a Board of Review and Scout will get his Merit Badge before we move...

...and I learned a lot...I learned that 20 miles is really a long long way to walk...I learned that a 35 mph wind will make you really cold...and I learned that boys will have fun no matter what...