Anyone who has kids knows that no matter how much you plan, and how good your intentions, sometimes a day just falls a little askew. With our two littles, we have generally lucked out on day trips and overnight trips, with only minor hiccups. Yesterday was not one of those days.

Our kitchen calendar has specific hikes pencilled in for every Tuesday over the next few months, and yesterday’s hike was to be Teneriffe Falls, just outside of North Bend. The hike is a little under 6 miles round trip, with about 1500’ of elevation gain. Though moderately strenuous, it is considered a great family hike. We had everything planned out, all set for a great day hike with the kiddos.

We got to bed at a reasonable time the night before and got up by 6:30 a.m., hoping to leave not too long after and make the 90+ minute drive, hoping rush hour traffic would be easing around then. But with a toddler and a baby, even the best laid plans should be flexible, and we should have known better than to think getting out the door would be quick. All in all, we were able to finally drive away about 9:30, and got the dog dropped off with family for the day.

The normal heavy spots on the freeway were relatively clear…until we were approaching and getting onto I-405. Anyone who lives around here knows no matter the time of day, 405 through Bothell and Kirkland is notorious for being gridlocked for no good reason. As we were approaching the point where the mainline splits from the Express Toll Lanes, the overhead reader board showed the travel time to Bellevue (about 15 miles): 22 minutes via the Express Toll Lanes, or 46 minutes in the regular lanes!!! We don’t have an HOV Flex Pass in my car, so Kjirsti said, “Should we just pay the toll?” to which I immediately replied “No way!” as we saw the next sign showing the rate to Bellevue at $10.75! 

So we’re trying to quickly figure out how to get around this all as we’re approaching the Canyon Park exit. Kjirsti quickly looked up where to get a Flex Pass, and saw that QFC sells them. Perfect, there’s a QFC right off this exit! We jumped off and headed into the store, and easily bought the transponder for the car. Back in the car, we go online to activate the pass, and of course, the website was having issues and couldn’t activate it (the Good 2 Go website is notoriously problematic, and getting in-person help via phone is often a huge headache). Whatever, traffic is slowly improving, so we got back into the slog and Kjirsti called the helpline. After an unusually short wait time, she got connected to a live person who was able to get everything activated. Eventually, we made it through the slowdowns and were smooth sailing east on Interstate 90.

Getting to the hike was simple, and the parking area had only a few vehicles in it. Kjirsti fed our baby, and I quickly made our lunch, as it was nearly noon at this point (so much for starting our hike at 10). We eat, get our toddler in the backpack and set off up the trail. The hike itself was pretty standard, gently ascending old forest road for a bit, then some gradual switchbacks. Walter fell asleep in the backpack and was bonking his head against mine for the middle mile, until I couldn’t handle it anymore, and took the pack off. Since he is potty training, we decided this would be a good pit stop for him. Bad idea.

There were no flat or even areas to stop, so we had to opt for a rocky wide spot in the trail. I squat down to help Walter, and he loses it, throwing himself backward with his shorts around his ankles. Already off balance, I try to catch him before he slams his head into a rock, and I also start to move awkwardly. Kjirsti instinctively tries to support me, but she’s carrying Bunty on her front, and loses her balance. As I catch Walter, Kjirsti falls backward and lands butt-first on a large rock, right leg twisted awkwardly under her. Fortunately, she did not injure herself, and managed to not fall in such a way to harm Bunty either. 

Close call narrowly avoided, but Walter is still upset. I put him back in the pack, and he calms down, so we proceed up the trail. 

After 20 more switchbacks, and a short scramble, we reach the end of the trail at the base of the falls. Unfortunately, though we knew the overlook was small and didn’t have a lot of room for many people, we were surprised and disappointed to see that it was all steep and rocky with a sharp drop-off and no level areas for sitting with kids. Kjirsti keeps Bunty strapped to her front, and Walter is able to sit on a rock directly next to her as I stand and try to stay out of the way of other hikers as we have a snack.

Since Walter still has not peed, we decide to try again. Carrying him, I scramble back down to a level area shortly below, and help him with his shorts. Once again, a freak out. He flails and screams, kicking the paper cup I have in case he needs it. There it tumbles down the hill, and I’m helpless to go get it. I normally am not one to cave easily to his emotions, but I’m short on options here. We decide the best choice is to just head back down the trail. The waterfall wasn’t even that amazing, and there’s no good place to relax up there. 

I take Walter back up to Kjirsti, then scramble back down to pick up the cup, then back up again to them. In the pack again, Walter calms down, and we start our rocky descent. Kjirsti has Bunty on her back now so she can see her footing better, and this Bunty does not like. She is sitting awkwardly and is fussy, obviously uncomfortable. A couple minutes down the trail, we realize she is overdue for feeding. There is no good place to stop along the rocky switchbacks, so we know we have to make it nearly a mile to a junction and a bridge before we stop. So here goes an arduous trek of Bunty voicing her displeasure. 

We finally reach the bridge, and Bunty is able to feed. Walter has fun playing on the bridge, watching squirrels and eating his churro chips. He actually even decides to finally pee off the trail. We breathe a sigh of relief and think maybe things are going to smooth out. 

We had planned for a family dinner back in Marysville in the evening, so Kjirsti checks traffic to get an ETA. Not great. Traffic is so bad, Google Maps has us avoiding the freeway altogether and taking the highway up the Snoqualmie Valley instead. By this time it is already past 3 p.m. and we still have 1.5 miles to the car. I’m also hungry, and we are trying to find any good food options in North Bend that don’t feature a clown mascot, but no luck finding something that looks both quick and good. Whatever, I’ll just make do with the couple small snacks we have left. I don’t normally get hangry, but the ridiculousness of the day is wearing on me. 

On the highway, we’re lucky to be going against the main flow of traffic much of the way until we near Monroe. The bad news is the drive is about an hour and 45 minutes, and Bunty refuses to fall asleep, getting more and more cranky. Long story short, she cries for about ¾ of the drive to Marysville, eventually getting loud enough that she wakes Walter up early from his nap, so now he’s crying too. 

Eventually I’m just relieved to make it to Marysville and get everyone out of the car, though at this point I am just ready to go home and go to bed myself. Family dinner ends up going well, though Walter is a basket-case of emotions and can’t seem to play nicely with his cousin the whole evening. We finally got home just before 10 p.m., and everyone goes to bed, hoping the next day is an improvement. Plot twist, it wasn’t!