We were able to sneak in an after-dinner walk last evening. I took some pics of the kids and some of the interesting tree bark along the way, but I also took these shots of the old silk mill and sewer covers along the path. It's funny how this walking spot makes you feel like you're out of the city, when, really, the city and highways are buzzing just yards away.
I don't know about you, but I always feel sad when I see a lost toy or lovie abandoned to the side. I always imagine a poor little one somewhere mourning its loss.
The last couple of days have been near 90 degrees here in Pennsylvania. It will be cooling down to more seasonal temps toward the end of the week. Of course we're taking advantage of the hot spell to try and clear out our lungs with some nice, fresh air, and taking the opportunity to go on explores.
The most exciting part of this particular exploratory walk was the wee little snake we came across on the way back home.
He was only about five inches long and skinnier than a pencil, but he was feisty! This was as close as I could get with my camera for fear I would send him into cardiac arrest. When I stood up after taking my last photo, he turned tail and slithered away as quick as a flash.
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?
One of our favorite things to do in the warmer weather is to go for walks. We haven't been able to go in the last couple of weeks, and boy am I missing it! There are two spots in particular that we frequent.
About five minutes away from our home is a collection of walking paths of different lengths all laid out in a circular pattern. They meander through an open, grassy field planted with lots of different types of trees, and a few little surprises here and there (like the windmill in the above photo).
It's also a good place for our son to ride his bike. Look, Ma, no training wheels!
Sometimes little boys need to rest too.
The other place we love to go walking is in a state park about fifteen minutes up the road. There are lots of different paths to choose from, some winding around the creek and over bridges, others climbing up the mountain, and still others that meander through fields with grasses and wildflowers that get so tall in the summer you can't see over them. There's a lot of wildlife to spot too: snakes, squirrels, frogs, lots of butterflies, and once we were even greeted by a rather friendly stray cat.
I don't have many photos from the park, as I don't generally lug my camera around because I'm too busy chasing a baby. But now that I finally have a camera phone (yay!), it'll be easier to get some more shots (all of the top pictures were taken with my phone). In case you were wondering, we're really behind on technological advances. Also, for your further information, I'm short.
My son is five. I think he'll be taller than me by the time he's eight. Not to mention the fact that a large coffee is almost a quarter of my height. Yes, I'm five-foot-two. Yes, my husband is six-foot-two. Yes, my neck cramps all up when we dance at weddings.
Have a happy weekend! We'll (hopefully) be spending a good part of the day tomorrow painting while Nana takes the kiddos out for some fun!
