April 1, 2017
Merced River Trail
Roundtrip distance: 3.04 miles
It was April Fools’ Day, the first day that it really felt like spring. I waited with baited breath for all my children to arrive at home. They were coming to celebrate my birthday and we were going on a family hike.
Before they arrived, I wondered if there would be any leg-pulling, tomfoolery or pranks played on each other. I played one on them in 1997. During their childhood, we spent a LOT of time at the dentist’s office. When they arrived home from school, I told them that we needed to go to the dentist. We had already been there a couple of times the past week, so they complained incessantly and dragged their feet as they climbed into the Suburban. They griped and whined all the way until we pulled into the parking lot of Dairy Queen. Then I turned to them and said, “April Fool!” There was no dentist appointment that day, just an outing for a sweet treat.
At last, the kids arrived home bearing bouquets of flowers and gifts to be opened later; though having them all together for the weekend was gift enough. We piled into three cars and drove to Briceburg along Highway 140 in the Merced River Canyon. Chris and Mason headed downriver with the Nugget Buckets to pan for gold.
The spring sky was a bright cobalt blue; the sun warm and scintillating. A gentle breeze shook the tender leaves of newly sprouting trees. Wildflowers like colorful Easter eggs decorated the grassy trail.
Strolling along single file, we celebrated the international day of silliness with laughter, conversation and playing with the dogs.
Down at the water’s edge, we skipped stones from the rocky bank. The dogs splashed in the quick moving river trying to catch the sticks we threw to them.
It was an uneventful and easy going hike; a good one to fit all levels of hikers.
My heart was happy having everyone together on the trail. We reunited with Chris and Mason then headed home.
When evening came we gathered round the room and I opened the gifts the kids brought. The last one was for both Chris and me—a framed photo of a sonogram. Was this an April Fools’ Day joke? No, it wasn’t. Joe and Jen surprised us with the good news that we are going to be grandparents for the first time. It was an awesome birthday gift and the perfect ending to an already great day.
Hiking Yosemite and Beyond 
What a great day! Thanks for letting us tag along on such a special outing. And Happy Belated Birthday, soon-to-be Grandma. So many gifts that day!
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Thanks, Patti. You’re right, lots of wonderful gifts that day.
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What a great birthday weekend. Fantastic that all the “kids” hiked with you. Nice, too, that Wrigley and Monster were able to tag along.
Dad
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The gift that keeps on giving.
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The suspension bridge looks cool!
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Happy belated birthday, Janet! Sounds like a you all had a great day, topped off with the sonogram news. Yay for you!
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Thanks, Cal. 🙂
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Congratulations on being Grandparents, what a fantastic surprise! Sounds like the perfect day for you. Happy belated Birthday to you. The photos are beautiful and what a gift spring brings in the flowers. I always look forward to your photos, they bring the adventures alive.
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Thank you, Terri, for the kind words. 🙂
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Happy belated birthday! Best wishes to you and your family!
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Aw, thank you. Hope you and your family are well.
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I loved the April Fool’s story. What a clever joke to play on your children. I can almost see the smiles on their faces when they arrived at Dairy Queen instead of the dentist.
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Yes, Sheryl, the kids were quite surprised. 🙂
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Beautiful Janet! The story and pictures brought tears to my eyes.
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Oh, Carol. Thank you. Happy Easter to you.
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What a wonderful family you have! And they’re lucky to have you – love the Dairy Queen story!
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Thank you, Ruth. And thanks for reading and commenting.
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