Trail to the Creek

A little hiking expedition was in order when we heard that rain was in the forecast for several days.  Off to our favorite playground and the trail in the woods behind it.

Todd took the kids here just the week before and they really wanted to show me their "clubhouse" and how to get to "Papa's creek" (Walnut Creek is near my dad's house so obviously the whole thing is his).

They ran ahead while Bryce and I strolled behind.  The signs point the way to the creek, but kids who've been here before don't really need signs anyway.  "This is the way!!! Follow me!!!  It's right here past this tree!!!"

Lots of the trail has boardwalks to get past muddy, marshy, swampy parts.  But other places are straight hiking.

It was so pretty with the sun coming through the trees.

They didn't linger very long at their "clubhouse" so no photos of that, but we soon after found the creek and that is where we spent the next couple hours.

They threw rocks, examined rocks, moved rocks around, climbed on rocks, jumped from rock to rock....

{Chloe made bridges here}

{Amazingly no wet shoes!}

{Rock-skipping master... well, almost.}

Watching them explore the creek is always such a thrill for me. My youth is full of such sights, smells and sounds. 

Hopefully they will have this imprint on their hearts too.