A Walk Through a Nature Preserve

Today was a lazy Columbus Day. DD18 had school, but the boys were home. We took S13 to the local Audubon Society Sanctuary, although that involved some discussion. He didn't want to come without his brother, but S16 had homework. And I think S13 maybe just doesn't want to hang with his parents...hmmm, a new development for sure.

Anyway, we went and had a lovely, peaceful walk. I don't think we'd been for a few years (shame on us, it's so close by) but life gets busy and we almost never have free time on the weekends anymore. And I'm not a huge fan of the place in the summer, what with the poison ivy and mosquitos and ticks. It's much more interesting in the other seasons.

In the Fall, the leaves are turning and some have already dropped due to our hot summer and stressed trees. The views across the marshes and lake from the boardwalk are clearer with a few less leaves. Today, since it was in the mid-60s, we saw so many turtles sunning themselves on lily pads or rock islands. One island was covered by turtles, and it was funny to watch other turtles swim up and try to climb on, only to fall off back into the water since it was so crowded.

We also saw three huge swans nesting in the woods off the marsh. Once, a few years ago, we had come upon one on a path and it hissed at us as we tried to pass by. They are sort of scary, although beautiful.

A wave of melonchaly came upon me as we walked with S13, remembering all the walks we took when the kids were smaller and in awe of nature. But today I did catch glimpses of the little boy hidden in the big thirteen-year-old body. He couldn't resist tossing sticks into the water and watching them float downstream. And he couldn't help but run off the paths and climb onto the big boulders in the woods and shout excitedly about the view from up there.

We didn't go in to the Nature Center because it was closed, but next time we'll go check out the mini wildlife museum in the basement, with stuffed specimens of local animals. It looked like the building had had some renovation work, and I suspect the museum might have benefitted, too.

We had let our membership lapse, but I will renew now because I'm reminded how precious these places really are and how much they need our support.