or in our case, the faintest trickle runs through it. Today, we decided we would take the kiddos on a trek (for excercise and fun, yes, but we were also besotted with the notion that the trek would induce a Rip Van Winkle type nap afterward).We packed up our Spiderman and Princess fishing poles, a tackle box and a picnic and headed out to a spot not far from our home. The trail itself was well marked with myriad blazes and was made up of countless slick-as-ice moss covered stones. Because we are in want of rain, the stream that cuts its path through the hills and runs parallel to the trail was faint: it was no matter to the children. The trail was shaded by countless Sycamore and Sugar Maples, so our expedition benefitted from the shade the trees provided as it was a baking sort of day.
Bop and Log have not yet mastered the art of fishing line awareness, so we did not affix hooks to their lines; rather, each had a non-threatening lure they cast into the stream. Fish were scarce (we saw a scant handful of minnows), but frogs and crayfish were in abundance.
The oldest two carefully navigated their way down along the slick stones to the stream bed. They spent quite a bit of time "casting" their lines among the rocks and sliders. Along with Jeff, they accosted the frogs until the poor beasts beat a retreat to nearby rock overhangs. Our littlest, because she doesn't have a pole of her own, lambasted the frogs with a stick! Apparently, my children did not inherit my phobia of frogs; I took pictures of the scene from a safe, frog-free distance.
Recently, Bop and Log completed a week long nature camp run by a local museum, so they relished the opportunity to demonstrate their newly acquired knowledge of cicadas, sliders and indigenous flora and fauna. Littlest enjoyed throwing rocks into the stream. All had fun on our expedition.
A smallish wildlife museum is situated along the trail head, so we popped in for a bit after our hike (the kids so that they could gawk at owls and opposums, the adults so that we could enjoy the air conditioning!). All in all, a nice way to pass a Sunday afternoon as a family.
Charlotte, with her trademark grin, on the trail
Log casting his lure
Bop fishing
My band of frog chasers
Log, complete with horns
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