Walkabout

Where has the time gone, and why do I always feel as though I start my blog posts with this sentence? Fall break came and went,and I'm trying to adjust to life without a house full of rowdy boys. It's nice to have calm and quiet every now and then, but I miss my noisy gents.

A quiet house is a lonely one.

On Sunday, Derek and I took the youngsters on a walk to enjoy the warm sun and beautiful fall colors.  We spend a lot of time outdoors, but this particular outing will always remain at the top of my list.  We were missing one boy, who was busy working off his debt at Dee and Papa's.  It was strange not having him with us, and even more peculiar to be counting to four every time I did a headcount....which I do quite frequently.  Though we missed his presence, he jumped at the opportunity to duck out of yet another family hike.  The boy is growing up, and I am not a fan.

Our journey was filled with treasures just waiting to be discovered. One of the first, was a row of abandoned nests from the little mud swallows who have flown south in search of warmer temps. 

 

There were plenty of snake holes, trap door spider caves, and other miscellaneous

 crevasses to explore.

 

 

Look at this view.  I could stare at this picture all day.  In fact, I may.

 

 

We helped a few silk weeds escape their pods. 

They whispered 'thanks' as they blew away

 in the wind.

 

 

Another picture that I could stare at forever.

 

 

This was taken right before I made him step away from the cliff.  It may look as though he's right at the shore, but don't let it fool you.  He was teetering at a death-defying 12 feet above the water.  He was also in a trance and seemed to be mesmerized by his surroundings. 

Love this nature-lovin' boy of mine

 

 

Well done, kids.  You didn't cut our heads off this time.

 

 

A hike is not a hike until you find a hopper or two....or three or four.

 

 

Is it just me, or could you stand in this spot and quickly forget all your cares

and worries in the world?

 

 

This picture isn't nearly as beautiful as the actual scene in real life.  The glistening leaves that lined the path mimicked the yellow brick road.  I was disappointed to find that the wizard

was not at the end.  I'd like to ask him for a few things.

 

 

Some of us find walking sticks, while others say 'screw it' and take the whole damn branch.

 

 

(I took 97 pictures.)

 

 

It's all fun and games til someone steps on a cactus. 

 

 

He wouldn't tell me his wish, but I'd venture to guess it had something to do with a hot dog, a steak, or a slab of ribs.  The boy NEVER.  STOPS.  EATING.

 

 

Looks like this caterpillar was just as hungry.

 

 

Items not pictured are, a water snake, a pair of mallards, a hawk, one ginormous ant hill, and one 11 year old who is too cool for nature walks.