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Do you hike at the same parks on a regular basis? Or do you always look for a new location and a new hike?
We’ve found several parks that we like to return to on a regular basis, and these parks have multiple trail loops that we can choose from, which keeps things interesting. As we revisit the same parks throughout the year, we have the opportunity to observe the changes that accompany the shifting seasons.
This past spring we visited a nature preserve that sits on the banks of a local reservoir. The spring rains had raised the water level and some of the trails closest to the reservoir were flooded. We visited a month or so later, and the water levels were back to normal.
The picture above and the one below are of the same view: the reservoir was so high you couldn’t see the boards, let alone walk on them.
The two pics below show the stream where we’ve played pooh sticks in the past. The first shows a much higher level than we’ve seen in the past, while the second pic shows the trickle that was present once the spring rains moved on and everything started drying up.
The water levels have been receding for months because we haven’t gotten much rain lately. We returned to the nature preserve last week with some of our homeschool friends and got to see firsthand just how much the reservoir had dried up.
We were able to walk out a ways on the dried mud of the reservoir bed and do a bit of exploring, which the kids all enjoyed. Walking on <mostly solid> mud that’s usually covered with water was a new experience for the kiddos. River ventured a little too close to that wet patch and had to be retrieved when his boots got stuck in the sticky mud, but that was the worst mishap anyone suffered.
What seasonal changes have you noticed as you spend time outside?
Participating in the 52 Hike Challenge helps us stay motivated to go on our weekly hikes, even when the weather isn’t the best. Want to join the 52 Hike Challenge too? It’s not too late. The 52 Hike Challenge does not operate on a calendar year, so you can sign up at any time throughout the year, and you have 12 months to complete 52 hikes. Sign up using my link and I’ll earn a small commission at no additional charge to you. My link can be found within this post or the 52 Hike Challenge image on the right (you may need to scroll up a bit).
