OUTDOOR life
IN THE FOOTSTEPS
Thoughts and reflections on backpacking with the family
O SETH MULLER
ur full-family backpack trip to Indian Garden, 3,060 elevation feet down into the Grand Canyon, marked the first time my wife Jane and I truly backpacked with our children. Not only camped. Not only hiked. But backpacked. It was like us to make the first time for all of us a deep plunge into one of the largest canyons on earth, up and down steep trails and along unforgiving terrain. We always find magic in the big, brutal, beautiful exposure. Both our children—Grace and Ezra, 12 and 9 at the time, respectively—not only did well but thrived and celebrated our experience. We were joined by Grace’s friend McKenna and her mom, Dara, for a great group adventure hopefully etched like a petroglyph into their memories.
JANE MULLER
The author and his 9-year-old son, Ezra, take in the views from Plateau Point inside the Grand Canyon.
Spring 2021 namlm.com
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