Back to the Boardman.......................

Today, Tuesday, the Nature center should be open so we went back. Cooper liked it because it has a section for kids to do things.
They have colouring papers, a tunnel to climb through, books. Magnifiers and stuff to look at. Puppets and stuffies. He zeroed in on a balloon and focused on that.


He enjoyed that so much he didn't want to move on and look at the exhibits, but we got him going.


They have Michigan wildlife exhibits and telling a bit about them at each station. Sometimes including skeletons.


He enjoyed being able to "touch".

I went outside while he went back to the activity center.



When he was done we went for a walk. The Peace Trail.


this followed the river a way as it opened up into more of a pond.


The Swans were there today

A pair with one baby that I could see

At a distance some turtles were sunbathing. I wonder what will happen to them all when they change things. How do they plan on opening it all up and changing the direction and flow of the river.

Cooper is not used to long walks, so we kept it short again. He does well but looses interest quite quickly. At least we got some walking in again.
He had wanted to go back inside for the balloon but we deflected that by reminding him of his rock from yesterday, was it still there? Off he went to check that out and that was quite near the car. Phew!!! We made it without a meltdown.

Boardman trails............................

Today it didn't rain but was too wet to work outside as it did rain during the night. I got the housework done and after talking to the doc this morning decided that we could all use a walk. It's been hard to get out and do anything the past couple of weeks. Gabby and Cooper were up for it so down to the Boardman Dam we went. The easy trail, Fox Den trail is .06 miles. Just right for Cooper.



I had wanted to take him to the nature center but it is closed on Mondays. So we just hit the trail


Cooper is a bit young to appreciate the flowers and bugs but I took their pictures anyway no idea what the bugs were I was looking for Monarc's
Boardman River has quite the history here and I will try to find a link so I don't have to write it all out.
Right now they are going to take out the dam, put the river back to it's original course. I will find a link to that as well.


Gabby and Cooper deciding what way to go............actually it's a loop so either way would bring us back to that spot.


Cooper liked the water and there was a group of kids and teachers just there doing a field trip.


This was interesting, a tree with the bark missing showing the trails of the beetle that killed the tree. Cooper said it was like a treasure map.

Cooper is 4 he is not used to hiking like Tristen was at that age. He did enjoy it though and maybe later we can walk further.



Beautiful wild flowers


I had to explain that he must not get out of sight and to look over his shoulder to be sure he could still see us. He took that literally and about walked into stuff. So we let that go for now.

We ended up where we began.................this is the lake before it goes into the dam. Canada Geese relaxing......where are the Swans today. I don't think they like all the activity.

They put in a big new bridge on the road above (Cass Road) so that when the river is diverted it will go under the new bridge. Then they will take out the dam.

There are a lot of trails along the river and it's quite close and an easy drive so we can get there with no problem. I will expand my driving soon and maybe take them out to Leland to the beach. Laura is working a lot and I can't stay in. No intention of wasting the summer. Lots of places to go quite close to home so we have a lot of places we can go walking. Dr Weber was quite pleased with my progress and I have been taken off of my cholesterol meds and one of the blood pressure meds. That in itself has helped me get back some energy and enthusiasm. I have lost about 5 pounds so that is incentive to get some more off by walking. Gabby and Cooper can use some time out away from home while they are staying here. So, maybe I will try to get to the Nature center tomorrow.

A Walk With Cooper...................

Gabby and I went for a short walk, Cooper came along. First off he fell over on the road so has a boo boo on his knee.

Well that didn't go over well but he was easily distracted and so off we went

It was rather hot out but nice in the shade, only one stretch was in the open and that was hard going for me, I hate the heat.
I don't know if Cooper has been there before but it was a frequent walk with Tristen. Here is Cooper at Tristen's rock.

We stopped by the pond and the ducks are already grown, teenagers I suppose. They were certainly hoping we had treats but we didn't


Was hard to get the dragon fly to sit still but I did get two.

I really wanted the brilliant blue but no such luck.

Lots of flowers.



I used to love these yellow flowers when I was a child in England, or something similar anyway


Cooper was interested in the flowers he really wanted to pick one for his Mum but she said to leave them for everyone to enjoy.

Kids Creek the babbling brook.

I saw a bunny but it was gone before I could get its picture and the birds were not cooperating either. The Red Wing Black birds were brilliant. No picture though.
Well that was a short walk but we managed to get out after several days of rain and heat and humidity. Too hot for me. Maybe tomorrow we can get out. Enough storms thank you.