A walk in the woods

 These days the only alone time I get is a once a week grocery shopping trip. This morning I woke up with an idea that I would go to a nearby county park and spend the afternoon hiking and reading - alone. Now, it's not that I don't enjoy family time or chats with girlfriends, but as an introvert  my quiet/alone time tank needs to be filled more often than most. A look at our calendar would tell you that there won't be much time for that in the next few weeks- I knew that in order to weather the busyness with patience and strength I had to grab my opportunity to fill up.

After stopping by Mission 1217 for a frappacino (thank you, Lauren), and a quick pit stop to grab some skeeter spray, I drove out to Deerfield Nature Park.

I started off on what I thought was Wildwood Pathway (2.54 miles), enjoying the scenic route by the river, until I realized that I had walked onto the Boy Scouts of America's camp property. I promptly turned around and re-found the actual Wildwood Pathway. I  continued on walking at my own pace- what a joy to not be paced by a 6 year old or having to drag along the 4 year old. I almost forgot about what is actually there to see on the forest floor. My senses were at work taking it all in; a wide variety of fungus (reminder: I need to get a field guide to inform my curiosity), dragonflies zipping about, a few wildflowers that I surprised myself by identifying, two snakes, countless moths and butterflies and about a gazillion hungry Michigan mosquito's out ready to suck my blood.

The trails were nearly empty, a fact that bewildered me due to the weather which could not have been  more ideal. It was in the mid 70's with a light breeze and a good cloud cover.

I sauntered around until coming to the end of the trail. I inspected the overnight sites, and then continued towards the covered bridge via the River Loop (1.47 miles). The approach to the bridge was somewhat enchanted thanks to the overabundance of cottonwood. It looked as though a plow had been through the white fluff, pushing it to the outer edges of the trail, accumulating in such a way to make the grass an after thought. I crossed the bridge and descended to the river's edge, finding a seat upon a concrete ledge. I opened  the book I had brought and before I could read 3 pages I was covered in ants. Of the red variety. I quickly did the hokey poky and shook them off, gathered my things and crossed the bridge again. I eventually found a seat near a well that flowed to the river. I finished an amusing chapter, giggling out loud often, and then took my time back to the parking lot.

Deerfield is a great afternoon destination, an easy hike we've often taken the kids on (most trails also accommodate strollers well). There are many picnic and outlook spots, even a grill near the covered bridge, if you'd like to carry your things that far.  A recreation area is on the northeast side of the park and offers a disc golf course, fishing spots, pavilions and a beach area.

It was wonderful to walk alone with only my thoughts for a few hours admiring the work of the Creator. My soul could use more days like today.

The rundown

I thought I'd post a bit about the gear we've purchased to equip our family for the trail.

Though we camp often the equipment we currently owned was far from lightweight and compact. Since both of the older kids can only carry a minimal amount of gear we had to prepare for the adults (mostly Jeremy) to be the Sherpas. I began to research and plan appropriately.

So far, this is what we have gathered-

Sleeping bags- Jeremy also insisted on a packable pillow for each of us. We're going with these: Therm-a-Rest Compressable Pillows. Large for him, a Medium for me, and Smalls for each of the kids.
• Sequoia- Kelty Woobie
• Cedar and Willow- Big Agnes Little Reds
• Jeremy and I- Big Agnes Big Creek double bag

Sleeping pads-
• Willow and Cedar- Thermarest Z Lite Sol Small
• us- Big Agnes Dual Core air pad Regular


Tent-
• GoLite Shangri La 5

Water Filter- SteriPen Adventurer

Stove- Jetboil Sumo Cooking System

Cookware- GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Camper Cookset and Light My Fire Sporks

Backpacks-
• Cedar and Willow- Lake and Trail 20L bags (I'm planning on a Cilogear 20L WorkSac for Willow next year)
• Jeremy - Kelty Coyote 80l
• Sequoia and I - A decade old REI backpack carrier. After this summer, I'll go back to my MacPac and use a Piggyback Rider for Sequoia when he needs a lift.

Other-
• Black Diamond Apollo Lantern
• Petzl Tikka headlamps for Jeremy and I, Black Diamond Wiz kids' for Willow and Sequoia an a fun Lego guy one for Cedar.
• Everyone has Patagonia Capilene 3 base layer, even Sequoia!
• the boys' rain gear is from Tuffo and Willow's is from OakiWear. (Jer and I already had Mountain Hardwear rain gear)

I'll write another post later on the rest of our clothing and a few other odds and ends. I'm super excited for spring to come!

To the woods

A patch of woods stood in the center of the field near the home where I grew up. I was never allowed to enter them but often during the winter or in early spring before planting, I would venture to their edges and peer in on the world there shadowed under the canopy above. I daydreamed about adventures in the depths of the shadows.

I devoured juvenile literature that had anything to do with exploring nature or adventures alone in the wilderness. All things I loved the most. Books and words. Being alone. Dreaming. And the woods.

I asked for a tent for my 7th birthday. A green pup tent that my dad slept with me in the yard one night. Another for my 15th birthday when I also received a lantern (that I still have, thanks Gram). I put it up in the backyard and tried to convince every friend and cousin to stay in it with me. I kept it up so long that the grass underneath the nylon floor began to brown (sorry Ma!).

I moved to college and left my tent and auxiliary accessories at home in the garage attic. There I discovered that I wasn't a lone crazy earth child who craved being outside more than going to the movies or well, pretty much anything else the average teen enjoyed. There were actually others like me! I slapped on (or is it squeezed?) a pair of climbing shoes and as my fingertips curled around a hold and I felt its roughness, I began to whole heartedly connect with who I really was for the first time.

I climbed, I camped, I rappeled from the rafters of the field building; I rafted and kayaked and zip lined to my hearts desire. I got a job working at a summer camp loving on kids and helping them to challenge themselves on the wall, on the ropes, or in the water. I was happy.

Then I met Jeremy. Not that he made me unhappy, definitely the opposite, it's just that our interests didn't jive. I remember one of our first conversations; I proclaimed that I could live in a tent and be happy the rest of my life. He stated that he would never camp and preferred his own bed. I shook my head and crossed his name off of the hypothetical list of potential husbands.

Years past. We were engaged, got hitched, were broke as church mice, had a baby, went nearly insane from lack of sleep thanks to said baby, moved a lot, finally bought a house, and had two boys. Last summer I took stock of why I was so unhappy. Was it jer? No, I loved him more than ever. Was is the kids? No, I felt called to being a mother. And even though there were rough times ( a daughter with some extreme sensory needs, a son with allergies), I loved my job. With more thought I determined that it wasn't where we lived, it wasn't our financial state, it wasn't anything of that sort. I wasn't even really unhappy, just not feeling whole.

My problem lied with my purple macpack backpack sitting in the garage attic and the fact that I hadn't put it on in over six years. Once I relieved Jeremy by telling him that essentially it wasn't his fault that I was feeling unhappy, he was glad to hear how he could help the situation. And ladies and gentlemen, I am seeing result of his proposed solution and the fruits of his labor as the UPS man brings me cardboard gifts of joy. Little golden nuggets from REI, GoLite, BigAgnes, and GSI.

I have hope that I can find and be the real me again, the one who craves the outdoors more than anything else AND experience it with my crazy fun loving kids and my husband who loves me enough to sleep on a 3/4 inch piece of foam.

Folks- I'm heading to the woods!

Vacation

Vacation in our house is not always a vacation. We, like others I assume, have high hopes at the beginning. We start with rose colored glasses on and end stumbling with beer goggles. Not literally, but close. This year inspired by our kids' favorite movie it was going to be Jellystone for 7 days. Preceded by 4 days of camping at my family reunion. Just so we're clear, that's 11 days without phone, internet, running water,electricity, and the comfort of our own beds. Doesn't sound too difficult. Let's then throw in all three kids getting colds the day before we left, Sequoia teething, 90 degree AND 40 degree weather, rain, long screaming car rides, rain, broken tent, swarms of bees and the picture of the perfect vacation gets a bit muddy, for real. By day 5 Daddy Oak and I were ready to throw in the towel, but stuck it out and tried to enjoy what we could salvage. We rented a cabin, got out the tylenol, threw on rain gear when needed and smiled. All in all, I had a good time. I think for the most part the rest of the clan did as well. We played soccer int he rain, went to Fort Michilimac, explored St. Ingnace. We played games and went for hikes and ate fudge. I appreciated the time away even though camping with kids is definitely not a vacation.  Now we're home and can laugh that our vacation resembled that of the Griswald family.

Here are a few photos from our trip . Oh, and my camera died mid vaca so I don't have any pictures of the kids with Yogi when he did finally show up.

We had just gotten to Yogi Bear. Just after this we found out that there were no activities and no cartoons for the week. 

Helping to hammer stakes. I think you can see tears on Willow's face. It was a rough day.

Wood hauler. He's such a big DIRTY helper. There was no grass at the campground but LOTS of dirt that sticks like crazy.

Musket fire at Fort Michilimac. We had such a truly good time together there as a family. An awesome family of history nerds. 

Hanging out with Sequoia and Willow while Daddy and Cedar watched the cannon fire. It was still pretty neat from afar. 

She has a talent of finding heart shaped rocks. We spent the afternoon on the Lake Huron shore skipping (and throwing) rocks, having a picnic, watching cars on the bridge, and seeing ferries come and go to Mackinac Island. 

So happy to have these people in my life. 

Willow lighting the evening's campfire.  She knows how to light a match, better than her Mama.

Hanging out with St. Francis at the Cross in The Woods. 

Feet in Lake Huron, St. Ignace.

Sequoia even liked the water!

Outdoor adventures

We've been spending a lot of of time in the good ol' out-of-doors. Now, if you know me you're probably laughing. I call myself a nature lover, and I am. As long as the grass is green and the sun is out so, so am I; I even LOVE rain. But if there's cold or snow I prefer to observe nature from behind a window pane preferably with a cup of hot tea (more specifically this one, thanks Sis!) in hand and wrapped in a cozy afghan. I am in no way a lover of cold weather or winter activities (accept drinking tea and hot cocoa, of course). . . . but this year I'm trying with all I've got.

We've been attempting to lure some birds into our yard but have not had much luck. Everyday we layer on the gear and head outside to refill the water bowl and check on our food level, we even occasionally leave a yummy treat such as an orange, a pile of cranberries or cashews. But they are dissing us. Hardcore. Any suggestions?
Yesterday we went to the Chippewa Nature Center (oh how I wish this place was in our backyard!). We all enjoyed the winter exploration activities they had set up. Ice fishing in cardboard boxes (Willow was a tad bit upset that all she caught were perch), tracing/rubbing snowflakes, stamping prints of woodland animals, trees, and even scat (Daddy Oak was appalled by this, haha), and plays were put on in the puppet show theater. The highlight of that area was snow. Not real snow of course but this fun stuff. I was told they sell it at the Dollar Tree! I've been pondering ideas for sensory boxes and tables for a while and I am SO going to snatch up some of this stuff. I think I played in it longer than the munchkins did! Snow! Inside! without having to be cold! Score!(I see more felt board accessories and some homemade tree blocks in our near future)

Afterward we headed out to the trails. For a quarter mile or so we were all enjoying the snowy trails and were listening keenly to bird calls and songs(they have birds?!) until Cedar, while skipping with all the joy and calamity of an almost two year old, biffed it. HARD. On his face. I immediately picked up the screaming statue of a child to see blood dripping down into his mouth. We promptly did an about face and booked it back to the car. After clearing the blood, some snuggles and a drink, he smiled and as if to prove that he is in fact all boy, he proudly strutted his scraped up, swollen, and still somewhat bloody nose and upper lip.

(the day after, swelling down, minimal bruising, and his ever constant smirk)
This morning we put away the Christmas decorations and hauled the tree to the curb. There were tears (from Willow), sampling of pine needles(Cedar), and a sigh of relief (mama). We decorating the waiting tree with popcorn and cranberries and slices of orange, in hope once again of baiting some beautiful birdies.
What makes you happy to be outside?