A slight cool breeze off the nearby Gulf of Mexico made the air pleasant and soft with humidity.

I had rigged up an old daypack to carry Layla in. I’d thrown it in the back of the car just in case we took a hike. It was an old backpack I’d used in college so I didn’t mind cutting out two leg holes in the bottom so that Layla could sit in it. I put it on and as Maggie put Layla in, positioning her legs in the holes so that she was facing backwards from me, she squealed with delight.

“Layla likes your baby carrier,” Maggie remarked.

“Looks like she’s got the best seat in the house!” I said, and just as we stepped off the porch Strider let out a playful bark and scurried ahead as our adventure began.

We had decided to hike the old trail that ran along the country road. This trail would eventually take us into Hauma, Louisiana, about three miles south of the farm. We thought a walk into town and then lunch would be fun.

“Did you bring the dog leash?” I called out to Maggie, who was walking behind me.