Playing in Nature (Difficult Run Trail off Georgetown Pike in Virginia)

During our hike, Nora finds a 'natural' bridge, as she called it. She kept walking on it, to go to her island. 

We had this whole place to ourselves. It was picture perfect. Rocks galore, safe waters, quiet, etc. 

Luke then had an idea of making his own bridge and began collecting rocks. 

I love it when kids come up with their own ideas of what to do. I use to feel guilty not 'playing' with the kids as much. But now I stand back a bit and let them come up with the games and the rules and then after, if I feel inspired, I join in. Not as a leader, but as a follower. If most games kids play are adult-driven, kids will never develop their own sense of creativity. 

Nora joined in. Then mom. 

After about 40 minutes he was halfway done. Next time we go we'll bring chairs for this could have easily gone on all day. 

It's a miracle to see these two get along. I'm glad we captured it. 

The bridge is done. Ta da!!

Dad even went over it to test out the bridge's strength. 

The kids were so proud of their bridge. It took over an hour to complete. 

Nature-ish weekeend

We hiked around Rock Creek this weekend and came upon these amazing tracks...now what could have left these? To me they look like dog tracks....

Geese or ducks.....right?
These look like to raccoon maybe? any ideas?
Luke, being a very active 6-year old, giving me a heart attack at each turn....Chris thinks I am too uptight....but, he could have fallen in and swept away....safety first!!

This was MUCH more steep than it looks in the picture. It was about an 80 degree climb....Nora (3) asks daddy to carry her....and he did. Mind you, this was labeled the 'moderate route'. Wondered how much more steep the difficult one would have been....
I announce I want to take her pic, and she posed this way herself...what a HAM!! Stripes is IN by the way....
Daddy and Luke, together forever...
The next day we went to Virginia to buy a vacuum and on my new handy dandy GPS we looked up a park....we got directed 2 miles away to Accotink Park in Springfield, VA. Amazing place, everyone was smiling, people would pass us and say 'good day', some were fishing. Luke was going crazy picking up rocks, Nora found THE perfect walking stick. The day was PERFECT....

Rock Creek Adventures

We love to go hiking. This past Sunday we spent 2 glorious hours in the park. When you enter the park from the Connecticut Avenue south of Van Ness you climb down a very steep set of paths. Once you get to the bottom, there is a small stream and many amazing rocks. You will never even think you are in the middle of DC.

Nora and dad snacking on raisins and cereal.
Luke throwing a boulder....so much fun.
Nora on her own.

She found MUD!