Daddy's girl or Art Loeb

[Bubba shmubba]

I recently did an over night in Ivestor Gap and had the pleasure of hiking part of the Art Loeb trail and I must say it was awsome. I did a little research (well really just looked at some online images) and thought it would be cool to through hike the whole Art Loeb. All 30 glorious miles, and what do ya know? A couple of buds were thinking the same thing. I got on board early and was chomping at the bits to go for long walk in the midle of no where. Here's where it gets complicated. I have a 15 year old daughter and she's deffinately a daddy's girl. She heard me making plans to go off the grid for 3 days, and everything was cool till she heard the dates. Turns out the day I would be getting home is the day before she leaves for a band trip to Orlando for 5 days. She tells me she doesn't want me to go. What a bummer! But when I asked her why she said she doesn't want to go 8 whole days without seeing her daddy. (If you have daughters you know what I'm talking about here) but my puny little heart just melted. And I went and told her if it means that much to her, I'd just stay home... What the heck should I do?

[Hawk-eye]

.... (If you have daughters you know what I'm talking about here) but my puny little heart just melted. And I went and told her if it means that much to her, I'd just stay home... What the heck should I do?

Everybody has to make that call him or herself. Me, personally ... I'd have done pretty much what you did. Art Loeb trail has been there for years and having a daughter ... especially at 15 that still thinks it's cool to hang with pop ... well that doesn't always last. She's not going to die if you don't ... but kids grow up and are gone pretty darn fast. Just one old fart's opinion.

BUT ... I respect your decision.

[SADLK]

Well done Bubba.... I second Hawok-Eye's comment 100%

[SilvrSurfr]

Homey don't play dat guilt trip stuff. Regardless of her sincerity, she's putting a guilt trip on you. She's fifteen - she can get over it. She's got her whole life ahead of her. You've probably been around for most of the 5,475 days she's existed - you are entitled to three days to yourself just like she's entitled to five days to herself.

My wife loves to play the guilt trip card, and my kids do too (fruit don't fall far from the tree). As soon as they play that card, they're not playing by the rules, in my opinion. You should tell your daughter that you can't live without her for five days of band trip and you don't want her to go. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

You should feel touched that she loves you so much, but not for a second would I miss out on a three-day trip. Sometimes I travel for work, and every darned trip I get a litany of things I'm gonna miss - you're gonna miss his birthday? You're gonna miss her band recital? You're gonna miss his basketball playoff game? The swim meet?

That's just for work. Imagine what grief I get if I go off on a hike or a ski trip - how selfish of me! And the latest crap I get from my wife is how the dog will suffer - he's gonna be depressed, he's gonna be lonely. Who's gonna take him hiking in the forest?

Puhleeeze - you ain't getting any younger. You got two buddies who want to go out on an adventure. Carpe diem.

[SilvrSurfr]

To put in another way, my 12-year-old son LOVES his grandparents. They've gone to Florida for a month and he was very sad.

My mother-in-law put it quite succinctly to my son. She said, "I've worked hard all my life for my children and grandchildren and one thing I'm certain of - I have EARNED the right to take a vacation."

Have you earned the right?

[mangus7175]

Reach a compromise if possible, take two days instead of three. Or, take her with you if that's an option.

I have a daughter myself and I know how you feel, but both Hawk-Eye and Silver make a good point. Spending time with your kids is really important but you also need some time for yourself.

[tncamper]

I've got 2 daddy's girls and I'd have to stay.

to SilvrSurfr, I was as close to my Maw Maw as i could get, but that still doesn't compare to me and my girls.

No body ever looks back and says "I wish I'd have been gone more"

There will be more weekends

[FireInMyBones]

A few options:
-Pack light, hike fast: the Art Lobe is doable in 2 days
-Take her with you
-stay at home (family is more important) and do the Art Lobe latter, heck, I may even be up for it; I love that trail.

[Hooch]

Just go hike while she's on her band trip. Problem solved.

[Hawk-eye]

Just go hike while she's on her band trip. Problem solved.

Ooh-Rah pal ... You da'man!

... let me correct that ... You da' Hooch!

... much mo'betta than da'man!