Saturday, June 29, 2013

Walking the Trails


When warm weather hits we spend a good deal of time outside, though we don't usually go out until afternoon when the sun's losing or is about to lose it's intense heat. That leaves us with several hours of outdoor time almost every single day.

Notice the phone attached to her ear. That's how the walk always starts out. ;)

One of the things me and the kids love to do is ride the bike trails (or walk them, depending on our mood). We're fortunate enough to have a trail close to home, and every year it grows in popularity (though it is not overcrowded).


I like strolling along because the scenery is nice. The people are also nice. Everyone nods hello or has a little something to say.


There are people of all ages, from toddlers running/biking, to teens fishing, to parents with children canoeing or kayaking, and everything in between.


My daughter took a picture of this lone fisherman, and she and I both thought it was as nice scene to come across.


Every trip offers a surprise, such as the suddenly blooming-everywhere berries that weren't noticeable a couple of days before,

A bird flew out while he was closely inspecting the birdhouse.
 It startled him and amused me. ;)

or the bird that flies out of the birdhouse while your child is closely inspecting it (boy did my son pick up speed here, and I could not quit laughing).


Though my daughter is sometimes oftentimes on the phone when we start the journey (she's 14), I don't mind. It always starts off the same with her telling her friends she's at the 'boring trail again,' and then it always ends up with her voluntarily getting off the phone (I love that part) and inevitably laughing and having a great time.  She loves water and cannot resist skipping rocks.  Sometimes we take our swimsuits and jump in at the docks too, and there's no way she's missing out on that, ever. ;)


My husband works all day, a good part of it outside, so the last thing he wants to do is meander the trails with us, but I think he'd like it. We'll get him to come along someday. Until then, it's one of the things I do for me-time with the kids, and I love it.

How about you? Are you enjoying the outside weather (if it's not winter where you live)?

116 comments:

  1. You have a lovely family Rosey - and I had a nice trip with you. I would love to fish like that one day. sandie

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    1. Always glad to have you. :) That fisherman did look pretty peaceful.

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  2. hi, seems you had a great walk. Its so hooot where Iam. So going out is just when we need to. It either rains or its hot. Crazy!
    Happy Sunday to ya!(for tomorrow)

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    1. It's rainy here right now which has cooled off the temperatures significantly. It's not too hot or too cold though, and I'm glad.

      Happy Sunday to you too. :)

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  3. I love trails. Near my parents' house, there is a rails-to-trails that my dad and I used to walk/bike a lot when I lived at home. Those are some special memories. It's nice that you and your kids can get out and do this together :)

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    1. I'm wondering if that's the multi-state trail you're talking about. It is nice to make memories w/the kids and they make it easy. :)

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  4. The boys and I love hiking the trails at our local park, too. There's always something to see & explore.

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    1. Whoever thought of public parks was a veritable genius. :)

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  5. I think it's great that you do this! Everyone needs some family time and exercise.

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  6. Wow! Wonderful scenes Rosey! I would enjoy going for walks there. I like to stroll around with my camera and take in nature in all its glory. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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    1. I usually have a camera with me too if I'm outside. :) Hoping the rest of your weekend is awesome.

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  7. There are a few near my old place, but none as good around here. Although technically it has just be raining a ton here I fear so no getting out anyway.

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    1. We've got a little rain here too. I hope it clears up tomorrow, we've got outside plans and I don't wanna postpone them, but if we have to, we have to. :)

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  8. Those are some hot pink shoes someone has on! Is that you???

    I love the part about your 14 y/o. That sounds like every teen I have ever met. Dumb old trail. But then she morphs into this wonderful person. Yay! Thank goodness. How could you stand it otherwise??? I think parents tend to just start praying when their kids the teenage years. "Please let them live long enough that we can be friends when they are in their 20s. Thank you God."

    As for your question, we have nice sidewalks here and I tend to walk later in the evening. Too hot during the day!

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    1. That gal in the bright shoes is my 14-yr. old. ;)

      You're right, teens do always morph right into a wonderful person after their initial resistance/complaints. :)

      And you're right too on thank God for it, lol.

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  9. Hi Rosey,
    I, too, don't go out until late afternoon to avoid the heatwave. Looks like you all had a great time and your children will always have this summer memories.
    Gem

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    1. We do have a good time. The trails are fairly new (just a few years in) so I'm glad they're picking up in popularity. It makes for more interesting visits for sure. :)

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  10. We wait until the evening to go out too. Though in the middle of the summer it is hot even at night :) Looks like a fun way to spend time with your family!

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    1. You're right, it is hot in the evening sometimes, but not so scorching hot that we're uncomfy.:)

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  11. What a beautiful park! There's nothing more relaxing then enjoying things like this!

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  12. I think that is great that you have those trails close by. I love taking advantage of walking trails in our area too. And my daughter usually doesn't have her ear to the phone, but her thumbs go a mile a minute with the texting on our family outings lol.

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    1. Ah, I know the scene well. ;)

      Hubby and I have Trac Phones (on purpose), she got an unlimited texting plan phone for a gift and the child can text faster than I can talk. :)

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  13. Those views are gorgeous!!! I have just started running (ugh!) and really appreciate places like these. :)

    toddlindsey.com

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    1. You are far braver than I to use the trails for running. ;) I do remember how full of energy running makes you though. That's good stuff. :)

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  14. Rosey, this looks like an amazing trail to take walks and such on. We too are truly enjoying the warmer weather and just so happy it finally arrived now!!

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    1. Me too. Winter lasted f-o-r-e-v-e-r this go around. We were more than ready for a warm weather break!

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  15. I love all of these pictures! Your daughter cracks me up! At least she's not walking and texting lol. It's been really nice here too :) I went for a walk tonight just around the neighborhood.

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  16. Great photos! And, a great reminder to find some time outside enjoying nature with the kids!

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  17. I used to love skipping rocks when I was a kid!
    We didn't have anything this beautiful where I live, but I was always on my bike! Great pictures xx

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    1. Me too, or my skates (I still have the scars on my knees to prove it ;) ).

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  18. I wish we had better trails to walk on around here, but at least we have a pool!

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  19. Great pics. I love walking on this kind of trails :)

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  20. Wonderful! Just the type thing I love doing. I like the photo of the fisherman too. Haha- gotta love when the phone is put away voluntarily! HAPPY and safe 4th of July :)
    S

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    1. He was there before we got there, and still going strong when we left, and we were there a good long while. :)

      Happy/safe 4th to you too!

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  21. Well that sounds like a great place for a stroll or a bike ride. We have a bike path that's pretty close and we've been there a couple times this year already. We just became a member of this lake two towns over that has nice clean water for swimming, boats for canoeing. I will be there with the kids a lot this summer.

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    1. We have a lake close by too, and we spend a lot of time there when it's warm. We don't have a boat though, I think it'd be fun if we did. :)

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  22. Looks like you had a beautiful day! It's been too hot here to enjoy more than the wee hours of morning outside since we don't have a pool

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    1. We're lucky to have perfect temps here lately!

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  23. what a great walk--we have a woods near us too we haven't got there yet...this past week has been so rainy its just a mud path =b Hopefully the sun will come out soon.

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    1. Lots of people getting the rains right now. We've gotten a touch here and there, nothing too big. Knock on wood.

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  24. Great time enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and summer. Plus, wonderful family moments. I'm glad you took photos. It looks like you and the kids are enjoying the day.
    savewish@yahoo.com
    Sherry Compton

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    1. Thanks for the visit, Sherry. I love this time of year just because it's so easy to get out.

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  25. I love to see a family that stops and smells the roses along the way. Many don't anymore and they are missing out on the best of family time.

    Have a terrific day honey. Big hugs. :)

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  26. What a beautiful and lovely family that you have. I loved these pictures. Yes we all need the company of Mother Nature every once in a while :-)

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    1. They're good kids, I guess I'll keep 'em. ;)

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  27. Gorgeous views! Lol isn't everything boring to teenagers when they're talking to their friends

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  28. we have not been outside lately.... with broxton being sick,we were confined to inside.... hopefully this week though :)

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  29. Love your photos! The trails look lovely!
    We are headed out to a Community Picnic later this afternoon, its about 88 degrees today..( not too hot ).

    Have a great week!

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    1. I hope your picnic was nice. 88 degrees sounds hot, lol. :) We've had rainy weather, and that means cooler temps this week.

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  30. Love the picture your daughter took. How sweet & symbolic. She has an eye for photography!

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    1. Thanks Ronnie. She loves to take pictures and I'm glad. :)

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  31. What a great way to spend a day with your children.

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    1. Says he who also likes to spend time outside. :) We love those trails. It's rainy now though, so we probably won't get there for a few days (skipping the chance of coming across lightning).

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  32. Thank you for sharing your lovely walk, I enjoy it very much. Thanks also for dropping by pret-a-vivre.com :) Have a great week ahead.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, and you have a great week too!

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  33. Beautiful!

    We had a lovely day for being outside too. I read a book on my back porch, listening to the waterfall my husband built. Lovely.

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  34. Lovely walk in your outdoors. What a perfect way to know your kids!

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    1. I love when summertime rolls around, it's really nice to get out after beeing cooped up for so long.

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  35. We have some nice trails around here, too, and it's great to be able to get out on them.

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    1. Agreed, they're carved out right in the middle of nature. Its' nice. :)

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  36. I just love walking trails! This is a great post. You'll have to look for Geocaches next time :)

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    1. I have a Trac phone. :) I've read about them here and there though, and it sounds fun. :)

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  37. I do like going for long walks but unfortunately it is winter and pouring rain at the moment. Still it was nice to see such beautiful images, even if we cant go outside today :)

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    1. It's raining here today too, but thankfully it's not cold!

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  38. aw so fun! i miss my grandma house. there place like that there. in where i live it's just full with building and houses >.<

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    1. My grandma lived near just buildings and houses, but I miss her place too. Mostly I just miss her. :)

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  39. gorgeous photos, rosey! i love being outside, too! looks like you have such a relaxing time. trails are so calming and peaceful. my mom, friends, steve and i often visit the nearby trails in the summer and fall.
    i hope you had a wonderful weekend. <3<3<3
    maria

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    1. I'm so happy they're moving up in popularity. It was pretty sparse that first year they were open, this is waaay nicer!! And I think they'll be more apt to keeping it up with a steady stream of visitors coming and going. :)

      We had a wonderful weekend, now I'm playing catch up. :) Wishing you a happy week. Give Piper a little happy snuggle for me. :)

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  40. Your daughter reminds me of my Granddaughters... that darn phone is an extra appendage. Beautiful place for a walk.

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    1. Phones are ridiculous. She can't be on it after a certain hour, but other than that I'm pretty lenient. I remember how important my phone time was to me at that age. ;)

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  41. What a fun trail! We try to get out and enjoy the nice weather as much as possible. This week sounds like it's going to be very comfortable, for the most part, so I hope to be outside a lot! :-)

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    1. It's a little rainy but the temps are perfect, aren't they?!?! I love it. :)

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  42. I love walking the trails. It's been wonderful outside these last few days but before that it was 102.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2013/07/musical-monday-if-i-had-1000000.html

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    1. I remember the 'burn your hands on the steering wheel' days well. I never minded them though. :) It's winter that I don't care much for, and we got a lot of that here. ;)

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  43. I love this! Best of all, I love that your teenage daughter comes along (though reluctantly at first) and enjoys family time :)

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    1. She goes most places (sometimes grumpily) and always ends up glad she did. I do miss her getting excited over little things like the park though, those days were easy. ;)

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  44. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos and your personal family experience. This was such a refreshing pleasant post to read to appreciate the beautiful outdoors and nature.

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    1. Those trails are a great de-stresser. I love them. Thank you for your visit to the blog!

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  45. That was interesting nearest place for me here in London is Hyde Park about ten mins walk away.

    Thankfully the warm weather has just arrived here about time too :-)

    Have a fantabulosa week :-)

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    1. Well, that's a pretty awesome park to have close by. :)

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  46. I love that the fisherman is right out there in the water. That is a lovely photo!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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    1. He seemed pretty content. :) Thanks for the visit. :)

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  47. What a lovely way to spend time with family.

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    1. Thanks, Michele. We do have a nice time there. :)

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  48. Awesome! That looks like so much fun! I realize this is Saturday's post, but I just had to comment on this because I am a sucker for the outdoors and walking on trails. :)

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  49. I love the outdoor view you have there. Looks like you had a fun weekend! :)

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    1. Thanks, I like your blogging from the heart post that's up. :)

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  50. I love walking the trails! One of my favorite things to do. We got a break in the heat over the weekend so we really enjoyed being outside. So cute how your daughter starts the walk begrudgingly then ends up loving it at the end :)

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    1. She's a sweetheart at heart. She sure likes her friends though, and I'm okay with it, I did too. I miss those days sometimes. :)

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  51. Enjoy it dahlin'
    I wish we had something like that here. We'd be off adventuring.

    It's a wonderful thing to enjoy time out with the family.

    I absolutely love the photo of your son on pause, picking up speed :D

    And also with the transition of of your daughter from beginning to end of your trip.

    Beautiful photos!

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    1. He was startled quite a bit when the bird flew out, then he was non-stop chatter, 'Did you see that? A bird flew out!!' I said, 'No way, a bird in a BIRDhouse??' hahaha

      He didn't catch my slick, but was just in agreement, 'yeah, a bird came out of there!!!' lolol

      He's a beauty. :)

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  52. That makes me laugh that he was startled by a bird that way! Ha! Love that your daughter gets into it after a while even though she starts out pretending it's not that fun!

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    1. Always happy to have her along, even if she starts out grumbling. :)

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  53. It looks like you had a lovely day for outdoor fun, plus the place looks calm and lovely!

    Heather @ www.craftcravings.com

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    1. One of my fave things to do is walk those trails. There's another we like too, but that's my favorite one because it's closer to home. :)

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  54. Gorgeous photos as always, Rosey! I wish we had trails like these to stroll around here. Looks like you had a terrific day.

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    1. Thanks, we do have a fab. time there, and it's nice having it so close to home (free entertainment all summer long if we want it). ;)

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  55. Looks like a picture perfect day to me! Beautiful photos!! :)

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    Raising-Reagan.com

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    1. It's getting too hot to go now until really late in the day. Phft.

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  56. Always great to take the kiddos (and yourself) outside!

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  57. SUch a wonderful spot to enjoy the summer! It's been raining a lot here so we haven't been out and about much. I'm optimistic that things will dry out soon so we can be more active!

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    1. We've got the humidity right now that makes you want to stay inside.

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  58. Very pretty scenery! Once in a while me and the kids will walk the trails at the nearby park. I love the scenery and quality time with the kids.

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    1. Me too, and both a lot, but especially the latter. ;)

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