It was Erika's turn for her first climb in the Adirondack High Peaks. Joe had taken Alexis up the same peaks 3 years ago (report here) and he and Georgette felt it would be best if Erika had her own "Special Trip" with daddy. The thought of the girls racing to reach the summit first was just too scary.
The routine was the same: Drive to Lake Placid the day before, wander the village and load up on a pasta dinner. Out early the next morning, Erika was raring to go. Her older sis had prepared her for the day even providing her with the hiking shoes she had worn 3 years earlier.
The weather was cool and cloudy with a threat of afternoon rain. Not a bad day for a climb but they wouldn't see much. Erika didn't seem to care though. She got out of the car and immediately demanded one of "Daddy's hiking sticks."
It's been a wet a and chilly year in the Adirondacks so they were met with mud right from the start. Great way to test the 'stick.' They hadn't gone 25 feet and Erika was muddy. But the rule with mom is, "As long as you bring her home in one piece."
They were the first on the trail that morning. Good for spotting toads. They get chased into the woods by later hikers. After 3 stops to say hello and pet the toads, Joe decided not to point out any more for fear of an overnight in the woods. Erika found plenty more on her own.
As you would expect with any kid, Erika wanted to lead the way. But there is another treat when you are the first up the mountain. You get to break all the spider webs spun across the trail overnight. After 30 minutes or so of webs in her face, Joe explained the situation.
"Daddy, you go first."
Problem solved.
When they broke tree line and the summit came into sight Erika picked up the pace. Luckily for Joe there are a couple of spots too high for a 6 year old to climb without assistance. Otherwise she would have left him in the dust.
They were the first on the summit that day. Very shortly after their arrival, others started to arrive. Erika, of course, was proud.
"Daddy, we beat them all to the top."
Without any views to speak of, Erika had one priority. Lunch. Finding a spot out of the wind they munched for 15 minutes before Erika was looking for something else to do. Joe mentioned Porter.
"Did Allie do it when she climbed up here?"
"Yes."
"OK. Then I guess I have to do it, too. Can we do it faster?"
Yes, they are a little competitive.
The hike between peaks is relatively easy. But very, very muddy. Erika did her best to avoid falling in only having a boot sucked off once.
"Daddy. They should call this Mud Mountain."
After another lunch on Porter's summit and petting the dogs with other hikers they headed back. Long day for a 6 year old. Her motivation? A Pizza Hut she spotted in Saranac Lake.
The weather held right up to the trailhead parking lot. Joe had just gotten Erika into the car so she could change her clothes when the clouds opened up. She was dry (sort of) but Joe was no longer of need of a post hike shower.
After a Stuffed Crust pizza with olives they were off for home. And Erika was still in one piece.
 Erika at the Trailhead "I'm ready to go!"
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Who knew there were so many toads on the trail? 6-year olds are experts at spotting them.
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Showing off one of the many wildlife friends she made that day.
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 1/4 mile into the hike and we have a new expert. You may recall her older sister exhibited the same level of expertise about this stage of the hike. "Daddy, come on! I'll show you how to use your hiking stick and walk up the rocks."
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 The views were less than spectacular.
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 "I win!! I got to the top before you! Hey, why is it so windy up here? My mouth is whistling where my tooth used to be."
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 "Erika, would you please take a picture of me?" "OK, but just one!"
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 Lunch on Porter's Summit "This is the only time Daddy lets me eat all the candy I want. Well... almost. Daddy says its so I will have sugar in my blood. But I licked a boo-boo once and it's not sweet."
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 Is it a newt or a salamander? Whatever the species, Erika wanted to bring it home. They were almost as far from the trailhead as they would get that day. Transporting this guy successfully was unlikely. Turning him loose was the only sad part of the day.
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 "Look, Daddy. Allie's boots aren't silver any more!" How she kept the socks from total submersion in mud is anyone's guess.
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 Erika at the end of the Trail "Daddy even let me jump around in a creek at the end of our hike. He said he didn't want me to bring Mud Mountain home. But its too big. He's silly."
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