Fiona's first hike [06/05/2004]

By Marty Basch

It was the first May Fiona Murphy had ever seen. Just two days shy of being nine months old, she was now on her way up Black Cap Mountain in North Conways Green Hills Preserve.Maybe she was thinking she was already a pro. She had been on walks with mom and dad through the woods, so a hike to a 2,369-foot mountain would be easy. Not only that, Fiona had been to a baseball game. Dad transported her around the stadium in a child carrier on his back.It was sort of liberating. She loves this thing, Fionas dad Kevin was saying as he hiked up Black Cap Trail. She doesnt like the stroller or the car seat. She likes to be high where she can look out at things.There were lots of things for Fiona to look at too. There were all those big, fat green leaves on the trees. They were like a kaleidoscope and those baby blues were taking it all in. There were those roots on the ground also. Daddy had to watch out for them so he wouldnt stumble. Daddy was careful on the rocky summit too so he wouldnt tumble.Did Fiona like the hike?Gaaaaaaaaaaaah, she said.Daddy liked the hike. He was glad to be out in the woods with Fiona and his friend. Karla, Fionas mommy, couldnt make it. Daddy was going to put Fiona in day care so he could hike with his friend, but then thought it would be fun to take Fiona. He thought she was ready for her first hike.The friend thought it would be fun too. He could point to a tree and say, See the tree Fiona.Laaah, Fiona said.Daddy sure had a lot of stuff to carry that wasnt in his friends pack. He had trail food that was a little different from a breakfast bar or GORP. He had strained sweet potatoes, pears and even some grape juice. Daddy also had lots of Zip-loc bags, diapers, wipes, insect repellant, lotion, a changing pad, burp cloth and even a couple of pacifiers he called binkies. Fionas father sure used some funny words.Daddy dressed Fiona all by himself for the hike. She wore a cute pink and white hat, long pants and long shirt with a hoodie. Daddy had on a shirt and shorts. He made sure Fiona had one more layer than he did. Daddy was doing the work and sweating. Fiona was being rocked back and forth. Daddys like a camel, the friend said.Fiona smiled.Bbbbbbbb, she said.Daddy was hauling precious cargo. Fiona weighed 14 pounds. The carrier was about 7 pounds. Then he had that stuff so maybe he had about 25 pounds on his back. In no time, everyone made it to the top during the 2.6 mile round-trip hike which left from the top of Hurricane Mountain Road. Up there, Fiona could see the fire tower on Kearsarge North. She could look down on Whitehorse and Cathedral Ledges. She could see the Moats. Isnt that pretty?, the friend asked.Fiona gurgled.It was time for a snack. Daddy got out the strained sweet potatoes in a jar and a spoon. Fiona had a couple of bites, but not a lot. She liked to make it dribble down her shirt. Fiona drank the grape juice from a sippy cup. Daddy said Fiona was wet, so he got out the changing pad and right there on the top of the mountain, he changed Fionas diaper. Good thing he brought all those plastic bags so he could pack out what he packed in.Fiona cried while her father changed her diaper. She never said why. She cried and cried. She stopped, at least a little bit, while the friend jingled keys in front of her. She liked that. But then she wanted to eat them. She didnt like it when the friend put them back in his pocket.Everybody started to hike down the mountain and in no time they were back down.Did you like the hike Fiona?, the friend asked.Fiona didnt answer. She was sleeping. Then everyone went bye-bye.Marty Basch can be reached at rodeman@aol.com.