Frankie was in the midst of one of his epic breakfasts, where he grazes and nibbles intermittently, but mainly focuses on reading drifts of Highlights and Ranger Rick, when I noticed a text notification. I had a message from Erin that she was heading to Beaver Lake and had also invited our Dad, Bruce. Apparently Alden was sad that we weren't coming. I casually mentioned this to Frankie, and he wanted to leave -- immediately. I told Erin we might come and find them, but not to wait for us, as we were still in pajamas and have a much longer drive. It was obvious where they would go. Alden is two and I remember those days: the Bog Trail is the only trail that matters.
Frankie managed to get ready in record time, and I sped on the highway to get out there. Bruce pulled into the parking lot right behind us, and the three of us set off down the Hemlock Hollow Trail together. He had an update from Erin, indicating the direction they'd gone at the first Bog Trail junction, and we soon caught up. The boys cruised along on the boardwalk, but lingered on the observation tower, and Frankie resisted moving on. It is a nice place to hang out, but Erin was fitting this hike into a nap window and had to keep moving. Plus another family was approaching, and it's nice to share.
Out on the island, we all ate some fresh beechnuts. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Frankie liked them, enough to demand more. Unfortunately, he is no longer the adventurous eater he was as a toddler, and often rejects new flavors. However, he also genuinely likes jewelweed seeds and autumn olives, so perhaps the act of foraging itself contributes to his enjoyment. Collecting wild foods is an innately satisfying process, even if he does not extend an open mind to mushrooms. [All the more morels for me, bwahaha!] Frankie lobbied to stop at the tower again on the way back, but we pressed on, electing to stop instead at the viewing area over a small pond, where we saw two painted and one snapping turtle, along with a bass, and many catfish and sunfish.
Frankie convinced me to go over to Bruce's after we departed the nature center, so he could see Daisy. I love watching them play! Then we rode along to the barn, with Daisy along for the ride, and got to visit Cisco, too. It was quite late afternoon before arrived back home... not exactly the restful day at home we'd planned before the first day of school tomorrow, but it was so nice to get together with family out in the woods. I haven't been on the Bog Trail in a while either; it easy to pass over because it's so short, but is a special place, well worth revisiting over and over.
 |
| water willow (Decodon verticillatus) |
 |
| there are so many more cattails here than normal |
 |
| watching the fish and turtles |
No comments:
Post a Comment