Barefoot hiking. It's the new cool thing.

We were at an award ceremony awhile ago and it reminded me how much I don't enjoy award ceremonies. Does anyone? Really if Beyonce is not involved, and I can assure you she was not at the one I attended, they are as dry as dry biscuits. And that's pretty dry. We clapped and rejoiced, celebrating the success of the person we came to see for 14 seconds. And the rest of the time I heard, "Drone, drone, drone, applaud, applaud, applaud...".

Thankfully award ceremonies don't come around very often.

Also thankfully because today my husband and I, cohorts in this crazy journey of parenting, would have received an award for least prepared parents.

"And the award for Least Prepared Parents on the Planet goes to....." the announcer makes a show to fumble with the envelope and then reveals...

"... Jeff and Alysun! For going on a family hike and forgetting a child's shoes," the announcer says with a game-show-tone, waiting for the applause.

Would anyone applaud? Probably not. Well, maybe the parents who didn't win would clap out of sheer relief. Everyone else would stare in stunned silence.

That's my youngest daughter there on my strong husband's shoulders. She's not wearing shoes. She is wearing 2 pairs of socks that I found in the diaper bag.

Applaud, applaud, applaud.

Crazy enough, my pride was more hurt than anything. We had invited our new neighbors to go on this hike with us. They are originally from southern California and we raved to them about Silver Falls. It's on the Williamette Valley's "must-see" list. They don't know us very well and all our other redeeming qualities, but now they know that we let our child run around a state park in socks.

My pride.... hurting.

Mandy didn't care one bit and ran down the dirt path without a care in the world. We carried her over the muddy parts. I have standards.

We completed the 5 mile loupe, taking in Oregon's beauty. It's really a great hike with 6 breathtaking falls in 5 miles. Our neighbors said they enjoyed it. I highly recommend it.

But I would wear shoes if I were you.