Showing posts with label forest preserves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forest preserves. Show all posts

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Into the Woods

Autumn is my favorite. I love the crisper weather, watching the leaves turn. I also like that I can walk in the woods without worrying about ticks and mosquitoes. So, to enjoy the turning leaves and the crisp morning, my family and I hiked out into some woods.


It was a little chilly, but we wandered into a trail that looped and wasn't too long. I figured that it'd just right for getting the blood moving. And it was a gorgeous morning. The leaves aren't super impressive this year, but still, the morning light was shining through the trees; it uplifts the soul.


It was a lovely trail with lots of different views. There was a little pond, some open grassy fields, and lots and lots of woodsy trees.




We started off, all four of us, but it didn't take long before Moon was insisting that *someone* carry him.. but Townshend wanted to see where the trail lead, so we split up. Hubby took Moon back to a little play area near the head of the trail, and Townshend and I carried on.



This kind of path is more my style of hiking. Clear trails (so there's no getting lost) that are wide enough that (even in the summer) there's less worry of ticks and poison ivy, but still enough undergrowth and trees that it feels woodsy and natural and not like a city park.

 

There were twists and turns, and a few little hills. Spaced out, all along the trail were benches which, to keep himself entertained, Townshend began imagining were stops along the El train. So every time we'd get to one he'd stop (on the appropriate side of the bench so the doors could open on the correct side) and say his little schpeel before continuing on. He's so fun.



The trail was exactly the right length, 'cuz just about the time both Townshend and I were getting ready to be done, we came to the end! Then, we headed over to the play area to join Hubby and Moon.





We hung out for a good while before we decided we were thoroughly chilled enough and then we headed back to the car. And though I know autumn in Chicago is short-lived, in just a week or two it will be gone... I love when I can get out and enjoy it while it's here.



Yep. Autumn time is my favorite.

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Hiking Fun

This summer has been a funny thing that didn't want to end. The hot, hot temperatures have just been hanging on. Consequently, I have not been able to get out into the woods nearly as often as I might have liked.

However, this past week, the heat finally broke and Chicago is, at last, enjoying a more reasonable autumn. Hooray! So, we invited some friends to join us, out in the woods. I figure, we'd best enjoy it while it lasts 'cuz Chicago's fall weather is notoriously short-lived. So, into the woods!




While we were out, there weren't many changing colors yet. Sadly, all the heat will likely make for a most unimpressive leaf show for this year, which is a bummer. Still, there's still something wonderful in being outside, hiking through nature and the woods.

This is a place we go with some regularity but, what I love, is that the trails are expansive and I'm still finding new paths. Today we went to a new spot I'd never seen before. We found a train bridge which had been decorated. It was a cool juxtaposition - the green of nature and the colorful tagging.




But, as is the case when hiking with kids, we eventually came to a point where they were very much done, so back we went. We finished up at the nature center's play area, had a picnic lunch and headed home.




Hooray for cooler temperatures and finding time to be outdoors!