Time For A Nature Hike

This past week I took the kids out to the Nature Center for a short day hike. This is the same Nature Center that I went kayaking at last week. This time of year we seem to visit this place almost on a weekly basis. We have a favorite trail that we like to hike called the "Arbury Trail." It's a short paved path through the woods with a stop in the middle at a frog pond. The kids love hunting for frogs and toads and watching the tadpoles swim around. I love seeing the kids get out and explore the woods. They love watching the bugs crawl around and looking for animals, and just being in the forest. When we were done the kids took some objects back to the visitor center to show the naturalist on staff. Ben brought back a leaf with strange spots and Megan brought a clump of pine needles and a pinecone. Michigan is loaded with thick pine forests like this one all over the state. It's fun when there's one right in your own backyard.