Journey Towards Manhood

I'm not exactly sure how it developed, but somehow in our home turning eight is sort of a big deal.  When each of the big girls turned eight, I had the privilege of taking them on a girls overnight.  There was shopping, dinner, pedicures, giggles, and some great talks in a hotel. 

For Harrison's eighth birthday we had something different in mind:  Nature.  Wilderness.  Roughing it.

Unfortunately, May can have volatile weather, and the weekend Lige had originally planned to take Harrison promised terrible storms.  The two of them made a very responsible decision to post-pone the trip.

  After a three month delay, Lige was finally able to take Harrison on his Man Trip!  They went To Gallagher Canyon State Rec Area for two nights last Thursday through Saturday.   

I didn't go, of course.  So I'll let the pictures tell the story (and I'll add a little commentary that was shared with me when they got back.)

Lige had Harrison put up the tent.  We gave this tent to Harrison for Christmas last year.  Besides spending two nights in it in our yard, this was it's first real use.

 

 Some kids might think this was a punishment.  Not for our adventuresome boy!  He loves this stuff and got it done.  Lige just helped a little with the guy wires.  Harrison was pretty proud of himself.

Lige presented Harrison with his first pocket knife.  Every growing boy needs one, right?!

Harrison has the heart of a fisherman.  They spent nearly ten hours fishing on their trip, and Harrison loved every minute. 

 Between the two of them, they only caught two fish.  Did all that fish-less fishing get Harrison down?  Nope.  Like I said, the heart of a true fisherman. 

I was so proud of my (un)crafty husband when they came home and showed me the awesome para-cord survival  bracelets they made together!

Modeling the finished survival bracelet.  

(*Note the first pocket knife injury on the thumb.  *Note also that I said "first"  *And you might as well note that the journey to manhood isn't always easy on the moms!)  

Satisfied smiles on the last morning before heading home.

As mentioned, I wasn't on this trip, so I'm not privy to ALL that they did and shared and learned. 

However, I can tell  you one thing Harrison shared with me when he got home.

"I'm learning how to be a real man. I learned that a real man must be responsible.  A responsible man earns people's trust."

I think we're on the right track.  :)