Going to the Forest

Saturday wasn't the warmest day but we spent much of it outdoors.  While heading towards our lunch destination, BB saw a small park that had a trail at the entrance and immediately insisted on some outdoor time "in the forest."  So after filling ourselves with roast turkey and root vegetables, chili, and buffalo, we headed back to Huntley Meadows.  I always enjoy the walk through the tall trees, and depending on the time of year, we stop to look at mushrooms, fallen trees, insects, and frogs.  BB actually did find a frog while quietly and patiently sitting on a log by himself.  I didn't have the heart to tell him the frog was frozen dead in the water.  At the end of the forest, you suddenly hit the boardwalk and the forest ends and the view is all meadow and marshlands.  We marveled at the industriousness of beavers, gnawing down trees to construct dams and lodges.

When they were 3 and 1, taking them on my own to Huntley Meadows was much more of a production.  The little legs of a 1 year old tired out much quicker and making it to the boardwalk was (knowing that we had to make it back) was enough of a challenge.  I used to pack lots of snacks and drinks and take a break at the last bench before the boardwalk so that we could make it back to the nature center.  Sometimes I'd have to carry DD for part of the way.  Now they run far ahead of me, doubling back several times and probably tripling the length of the trail in doing so.