Wilderness Center

My mom called last night and invited us to join her and some of the other cousins on a farewell to summer trip to the Wilderness Center.  I haven’t been there in a loooong time, and I had never taken the girls.  It is comparable in a lot of ways to some of the metroparks in Columbus (like Highbanks).  Mom brought Cale and Landen, and we loaded the girls in the van.  Luke met us with Sam and Lilli.  When we got there they were all SUPER excited to be set free:

We headed down the trail hoping that Ellie would fall asleep and the others would wear out for nap time.  The kids LOVED it.  Lilli picked out a hiking stick for her and Madison. 

The boys (and girls) ran as fast as their legs could carry them. 

       

Luke manned the stroller, where Ellie eventually fell asleep for a 30 min nap. 

They explored, snuck in tree trunks, and chased each other all over.  We even found a box turtle (which the “ranger” explained that we should have left where we found rather than carry it with us for awhile on the trail). 

         

Grandma spent some quality time with the grandkids. 

    

And we hiked, and hiked and hiked.  Eventually, we made it to the destination – a pond with geese and fish to feed bread. 

       

Ellie even got to have some fun watching.

Some of the cousins started eating bread themselves.  After all that work, they were hungry.  Apparently, we had taken the LONG route there.  From my calculations, their little legs walked/ran/climbed a good 2-3/4 miles today!  After lunch, they painted for a little while before exploring the nature center and coming home. 

   

It was a good time.  When mom asked if I had anything going on, the answer was no.  I think if anyone asks me that and the only thing I have “going on” is getting stuff done at home, I am in for any adventure.  It is so fun to spend the day exploring, playing with other kids, and hanging out with other adults.