Backpackers

Halina and Daddy hit the road today for a daddy/daughter overnight backpacking trip -- her first ever. They left from Truckee for Milk Lake, with a possible side excursion to Island Lake (such enticing names). She has a borrowed kid pack with a frame and everything, and is carrying her own clothes and gear for the couple miles to and from camp. It's late now and I wonder how she's sleeping. It was so sweet saying goodbye to her and knowing that, even though everything will be okay, and even though she will be right back here tomorrow, it was a little-big goodbye -- in miniature. And it helped me to just see her coltish, golden braided, kind-hearted, gentle adventurer self with all my attention.