Spring Break, Spring Hike

The boys and I went on a hike a couple of days ago. We're on spring break, and have enjoyed every minute of being home. We have done yard work, spring cleaning, spring cooking, spring clothes shopping, gardening, reading, tv watching, and sleeping in. But that day was the warmest day of the year so far, and there was no chance that we were staying inside. Off on a hike we went.

We did 2 trails on the Rock Bridge State Park trail system. We started with the Grassland trails, and then hit the Sinkhole trail on the other side of the road. My goal is to eventually walk every mile of this trail system. We're getting closer!

The last time we went to the Grassland Trails, the boys were so little. That hike was also in spring, which in my opinion, is the best time to do the Grassland Trail. Unfortunately, there wasn't much wildlife out yet. I guess the animal kingdom is taking its time waking from winter.

The boys broke from the car in a full run. Apparently, we needed to burn some energy.

There are sinkholes all over this area.

And this is what happens when you burn all your energy in the first 100 yards.

But not for long. These boys were ready to explore.

So happy to be outside in this 70 degree weather!

Run like the wind, boys. It's supposed to storm for the next two days.

But look, they did stop and let me take some pictures. Ages 7 and 9. Almost every year, I say to everyone, this is my favorite age yet. When they were 3 and 5, it was my favorite age. Same with 4 and 6, 5 and 7, 6 and 8. But 7 and 9. For sure, my favorite ages yet. They are old enough to hold their side of a conversation, yet young enough to still cuddle up at the end of the day to read bedtime stories.

We spent a while at the grassland trail, but didn't do the whole loop. When we were done, we went across the road to another trail head at Rock Bridge State Park. This one is called the Sinkhole Trail, aptly named for all the huge sinkholes.

Unlike the grassland trail, it's wooded.

The trail is beautifully maintained and blazed in green (there's a white connector that shortens it a bit if you don't want to do the whole loop).

Immediately, we passed this little pond, probably a sinkhole - turned watering hole (but I don't really know for sure). It is not unusual for us to stop and throw rocks in any body of water, but this time, the boys really just wanted to stop and stay here for the longest time. Throwing some rocks, using sticks to stir up the much on the edge of the pond, listening to the frogs, all things to waste the day away in the middle of spring break.

I love how Google Photos restyled this photo (below).

Lex was looking for any sign of fish.

We didn't see fish, but we did spot 5 turtles basking in the sun in the middle of the pond. Can you see them? They didn't move an inch the entire time we were there.

Meanwhile, we were on the lookout for any sign of spring. We didn't see one single wild flower on the forest floor, which seemed surprising, but we did see some leaves sprouting. Yay for green!

On we meandered, only passing a couple of people the entire time we were out.

It won't look like this for long. I bet the next time we hike, there will be so much more green in the pictures!

We went off the beaten path to sit on a huge boulder with a view. We hung out here for a little while too. 

And took some more pictures.

Until someone was tired of taking pictures.

But just one more.

And then, after 2 hours, we followed the path back to our car.

So glad we got our nature fix before the rain came!

Happy Spring Hiking!