We're so blessed to have three great walking spots within 15 minutes of us. This past weekend we took advantage of two of them with the gorgeous weather we had! We still needed to layer a little bit, but it was so nice to get some fresh air. The particular path where I took these photos is paved and within walking distance of our house. It runs along a river with an old silk mill at the head, and a major highway rumbling along above at the top of a hill. Kind of an odd spot, I suppose, but we like it!
There is some signage along the way that teaches about the local trees and fish. And if one dares to go through the blue gate and traverse the tunnel that runs under the highway one can access the beautiful city cemetary. (Kind of creepy, right?)
What do you look for in a good walking spot?
This adventuresome owl is now available in the shop! His eye patch and sword tie on with baker's twine, and can easily be removed for those times when he simply feels like being an ordinary owl in a t-shirt. Pirate owls make the perfect addition to a nautical or adventure themed room. He especially loves sea-faring tales, so hang him nearby when you read to your little one at night.
It's been super busy around here. The last few days we've spent a good amount of time making our final cirriculum selections in anticipation of starting our homeschool next week. I've also been working on some things for an upcoming collaboration that I'm pretty excited about. I'll share more about that when I can!
We did find some time this past weekend to spend a day up in the Pocono mountains at a Christian retreat center. We've been going to Spruce Lake since I was a youngster, and the family still makes it a point to spend at least one day there every summer. There's plenty to keep everyone busy near the center, and lots of beautiful scenery and hiking trails.
All we need to bring for a good time is a picnic lunch (and dinner) and our swimsuits! There is plenty of space for the kids to run around on the playgrounds, and even though the pool is usually full of cold water they swim until their teeth chatter. This year we even found time to paddle around the pond!
The nature center is always a fun place to go! This time the kids were able to pet a snake, hold a bearded dragon, and little miss P even patted a big toad on the head. There are also lots of pelts and bones from deceased animals found in the area, and a few larger preserved animals. No photos though because I don't want to upset anyone.
Sadly, I didn't get pictures of the best milkshakes in this part of the state, the first game of mini golf that my son played, or the fire we gathered around to wind down before it was time to head back home. All in all it was a good (and tiring!) day.
