Hike

My dad invited us on a hike the first Sunday of May to explore a new trail he had heard of at the Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family Conservation area.  It was a perfect morning for a hike -- lots of sunshine, not too hot, not buggy, the trail was an easy hike, mostly paved with lots of small wildlife to find and explore as well as a running creek, a pond and woods.  There was also a look-out over the Meramec River, but we didn't quite make it far enough to see that this time.  While the hike was picture perfect, unfortunately the kids were a little tired from a fun-filled day before with Grandma and Papa that was finished off with movie night.  Teddy had missed his nap and so he was in particularly rough shape.  I think I carried him at least half the time if not more (he wouldn't let anyone else carry him), and many things upset him (though he wasn't alone in that, Merrill had a few sad moments too...).  Overall I think they had fun though and hopefully my parents don't stop inviting us on hikes!

Millie found this little side path right at the trailhead and so she and Merrill and Teddy took a brief detour to the top

We found LOTS of tadpoles in the puddles on the trail -- I hope they survived until the weekend rains came 'cause early last week was pretty hot and dry.

trying to scoop up some tadpoles to examine

Teddy was not entirely convinced that this creature was going to turn into a frog

The girls loved exploring the creek

Teddy, again, was not so convinced

Pictures never seem to fully capture the beauty of nature...

Stopping to pick wild-flowers -- good thing there were lots!

throwing rocks in the pond/lake was a highlight of the hike for the kids.  We stopped for a break both before we walked around the lake and after... there is a lot of stopping for breaks when you hike with kids.  Where is all of that energy they have during all the moments when we want them to be still and calm?!

gotta have snacks on the trail too (note: Millie got mad at me that morning because I asked her to put leggings on for the hike instead of shorts to protect against scrapes, bugs, etc.  She finally agreed, but decided to put on the most mis-matched outfit she could come up with just to spite me ;)  I just sighed and let it go -- she DID put leggings on)

We certainly weren't going to lose her in the woods ;)

One of Teddy's sad moments -- Merrill had just thrown one of his rock in the lake and none of the other million rocks behind him could possibly replace it.  I think another snack solved the problem

Millie the pioneer girl -- carving rocks with rocks

I do believe that seconds after this picture was taken, Teddy realized he was walking on his own and decided that I needed to be carrying him instead.  He was a tired little boy.  

We just missed the lookout at the top of the hill -- we got side-tracked by a small loop and didn't quite go far enough, but when two of three children need to be carried, it's time to head home.  We'll have to go back again sometime time to check it out.  We actually ran into the area manager on our way down.  He was out hiking with his little girl.  He told us where the lookout was and said that in his opinion it's the prettiest lookout in all the area.  Definitely worth going back for!