I looked at the trail map this morning and I think the shorter loop makes the most sense for Saturday.
I want something easy enough that nobody feels rushed, but not so quick that we drive out there and turn right around.
If the weather stays mild, an early start would be nice because the light is softer and everything feels quieter before the lots fill up.
I can bring extra water and a thermos of tea, and I do not mind carrying the blanket if we decide to stop halfway.
The one thing I would avoid is packing too much stuff we will barely use.
I have learned that a simple plan usually makes the day feel smoother.
If you want, I can send over two route options tonight so everyone can pick the one that sounds best.

I finally tested that recipe you sent, and the second try came out much better than the first.
The trick was giving it more time and not fussing with it every few minutes just because I was curious.
I also changed the seasoning a little and kept the rest simple, which made the whole thing feel less intimidating.
Next time I think I will add something fresh on the side so it does not feel so heavy.
If you are around this week, I can write out the steps the way I actually did them because the original version made a small part sound harder than it was.
I always appreciate when someone sends practical notes instead of pretending everything works perfectly the first time.
It makes trying new things feel less like a test and more like an experiment.