"Get out and move, it makes memories."

Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I have some memory issues; according to my neurologist, I have problems pulling memories from my bank of memories. There is no rhyme or reason to what I remember and what I forget, somethings are there and some are not.

Two memories I have that I cherish are outings that my dad took my brother and myself on. One was a trail where my brother and I rode our bikes and my dad ran. The other adventure was a hike up Saddle Mountain near Banks Oregon. I am sure I had a crappy attitude, I was a teen or preteen and I was an unhappy person; I was a nightmare. I am sure I complained about this hike, the hike is currently listed as challenging and I was not a fan of exercise. I remember going up hill, I remember an area of loose shale that we had to scramble across, and I remember some cable that made me question the sanity of the hike. Then we reached the viewpoint where we were above the clouds. I remember standing there looking across a fluffy white blanket where I knew a view should be; I was absolutely mesmerized that I could have walked to a point above the clouds. 

Dad, I am sorry if I was a pill during this hike. Just know that it is one of my fondest memories.

This picture is not from that hike up Saddle Mountain,
but it is a picture of my Dad and I that I also cherish.
My sister Jocelyn is on the left and my brother Greg is on the right.

Cormac doesn't like hiking, not one bit. He complains the entire time and does his best to ruin it for everyone in hopes that we do not invite him along the next time. Bribing works with him, but I don't want to have to bribe him to spend time outdoors. The only thing I can do is focus on the outdoor activities that he enjoys. Cormac likes when we go to the beach, he likes fishing, and he likes to go camping; these are all activities I can enjoy with him, so it is a fair trade off.

Miranda is so easy going, one of her common phrases is "finewithme," and no, I did not forget the spaces... that is really how she says it. Miranda will go on walks, hikes, camping, anything outdoors she loves.

And we have talked about Owee with her love of hiking and being outdoors.

There is something about nature and being with people whom you love that can create a memory that is easily recalled. I hope that I am creating memories with my adventures, those they loved or did not. I hope even Cormac will remember one of these outings with the fondness I have for the Saddle Mountain hike.

I have to encourage parents to get out and move with their children, it makes memories.