Waters we did not cross: more backpacking with boys

My two sons and I set out on Wednesday for an overnight backpacking trip. It was to be the very first for Simon, my four year old. The plan was a flat hike in the White Mountains to the Spruce Brook Tentsite along the Wild River. As we packed up at the trailhead, some folks from the Androscoggin Ranger Station showed up to post this:

and strongly urged u…