Hiking Misadventures

 This year, one of the things we've been trying to do more is to get out into the woods. There's a place, not too far from us, that has become our regular spot. Townshend's class has had a couple fieldtrips out there this year too, making him even more familiar with fun areas to explore, which is even more fun. Also, it's been a really mild autumn this year; the warm weather keeps popping up. So, we go out to enjoy it.

This forest preserve is divided by a road running through it, and our favorite side is on the south. However, that is also the side that has a river that's prone to flooding, so when it rains we often have to do our exploring in the area on the north. It's still beautiful and woodsy, but there aren't as many hills and valleys to run through which, in the kids' mind, makes it less fun. 

And, even when it rains (and you have the right clothes), it's still actually pretty fun to hike. That's what took us out into the woods the other day, in the rain. We were actually having a lovely time. The autumn leaves were still in their prime and the rain wasn't too chilly. The kids were running and splashing and it everyone was having fun.

Also, Moon has recently taken an interest in photography.. so he commandeered my phone and took a great number of pictures of "the nature."

Then, we accidentally wandered into a huge bramble patch. Turns out, this woods has brambles ALL over. For me, it wasn't too bad.. I'm pretty tall, was wearing jeans and some boots, so the prickers were only mildy obnoxious. 

Townshend was doing ok, though he was feeling frustrated because he couldn't find a specific fun spot, discovered by his class on a recent fieldtrip, that he'd wanted to show us.

But poor, little Moon.. he was wearing sweatpants and he's pretty short. The prickers collected up in his pants all the way to the edge of his jacket. Every step was uncomfortable, and he refused to walk any further. This was a problem since we were a ways from the parking lot.

I carried him for a little bit, but he's big enough that I can't do that very long anymore.. but mostly, we walked very slowly back to the car. But, slow and steady, we eventually made it there (where he was stripped of his "porcupine pants" and rode home bare-legged.

Aside from the brambles - which , now we know what to look out for, I was pleasantly surprised at how fun hiking in the rain can be. It might take some convincing for Moon, but I'd totally go back out again.