Monadnock

I just returned from a lovely trip to Mount Monadnock with a wonderful group of people: a friend from college, a friend from work, a wonderful friend of that friend, and a few friends from church. There were ten of us all together -- the perfect number for such a trip -- and there is something so exciting about having the chance to bring together friends from different contexts.

We ran into quite a few families on the trail, many with young children in tow, either in ridiculous hiker-style child-carriers or being coaxed along. I felt like I saw a lot of happy adult hikers and a lot of tired children who would have preferred to be at home playing video games. I climbed Monadnock many times as a child, and I think my enjoyment of the trips was shaped by the fact that my dad pulled me out of school for the occasion, and with the intent to spend quality time with me.

I enjoy hiking more now than I did as a child, but it occurred to me, today, that somehow children seem a much more natural part of the landscape at a place like Monadnock than they do in the city. In fact, whenever I pass a woman pushing a baby carriage in the city, the thought crosses my mind that I can't imagine an urban childhood. A city can have wonderful things for children, and for me, the museums of Boston were an important backdrop of many Saturday afternoons growing up. Nevertheless, when in the city as a kid, my parents were more guarded in their care of me -- there were more insistent (and justified) warnings to be careful in crossing the street, and keener attention to keeping everyone together.

To me, children just look out of place in the city. The bigger the city, the more out of place. New York, for example. I see a child alone in New York and involuntarily the thought comes to my mind: where is the adult to whom the child is attached? is she okay? When in surburbia I would be troubled with no such worry. Of course, at present I can't imagine not living the city. But that just seems like what you're supposed to do in your twenties. Live in a big city where there are lots of jobs and good companies and interesting people and cultural activities and such. So I guess I'm doing everything right. :)