Walking the Trails

When warm weather hits we spend a good deal of time outside, though we don't usually go out until afternoon when the sun's losing or is about to lose it's intense heat. That leaves us with several hours of outdoor time almost every single day.

Notice the phone attached to her ear. That's how the walk always starts out. ;)

One of the things me and the kids love to do is ride the bike trails (or walk them, depending on our mood). We're fortunate enough to have a trail close to home, and every year it grows in popularity (though it is not overcrowded).

I like strolling along because the scenery is nice. The people are also nice. Everyone nods hello or has a little something to say.

There are people of all ages, from toddlers running/biking, to teens fishing, to parents with children canoeing or kayaking, and everything in between.

My daughter took a picture of this lone fisherman, and she and I both thought it was as nice scene to come across.

Every trip offers a surprise, such as the suddenly blooming-everywhere berries that weren't noticeable a couple of days before,

A bird flew out while he was closely inspecting the birdhouse.
 It startled him and amused me. ;)

or the bird that flies out of the birdhouse while your child is closely inspecting it (boy did my son pick up speed here, and I could not quit laughing).

Though my daughter is sometimes oftentimes on the phone when we start the journey (she's 14), I don't mind. It always starts off the same with her telling her friends she's at the 'boring trail again,' and then it always ends up with her voluntarily getting off the phone (I love that part) and inevitably laughing and having a great time.  She loves water and cannot resist skipping rocks.  Sometimes we take our swimsuits and jump in at the docks too, and there's no way she's missing out on that, ever. ;)

My husband works all day, a good part of it outside, so the last thing he wants to do is meander the trails with us, but I think he'd like it. We'll get him to come along someday. Until then, it's one of the things I do for me-time with the kids, and I love it.

How about you? Are you enjoying the outside weather (if it's not winter where you live)?