I've been to Shades but not for many, many years. That sound like the perfect starter trip for my daughter when she's big enough to backpack with me. (She's not quite 3 and not potty trained yet. I don't want to carry in diapers and I definitely don't want to pack out dirty ones! :))

We're getting a little break in weather today before the big snow heads in tomorrow so the little ones and I are heading out for a short hike so I can try out my partially loaded backpack. I've been wearing it around the house but I don't think it's quite the same as wearing it while hiking.