There was a trail. There was a large body of water to follow along aside. The kids were in their element. They were alternately running ahead to the next new find and creeping with stealthy precision in order to keep from scaring that very find away. Be it bee, butterfly, or snake they were captured by all the little wonders. As were we adults.
At one moment I had to stop, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. I was overwhelmed by all of the sights, sounds and smells. Overwhelmed in all the best ways. It was just the dose of nature's medicine I needed. We all needed.
Field Notes:
: The snake was a garter. And yes, we had to stop the girl from trying to catch it. Now that we are in venomous snake country we are trying to break the snake catching habit!
: The mud nests are cliff swallow nests. They are currently unoccupied. That is the only reason we got up so close.
: The two lizards in the photos above are sagebrush lizards. We also saw a few whiptail lizards.
: We spotted a wasp carrying what looked to be a paralyzed caterpillar across the ground. Amazing.
: There was much life along the trail but also death, a dead mouse and the evidence of a mallard eaten. We are very straight forward with the kids about death and talk often of the cycle of life while honoring the dead.
: This is a very popular spot for fly fishing. There are no motorized boats allowed. While we saw many fisher folk they were so very quite!
: This trail is the San Juan River Trail in Simon Canyon below Navajo Dam.
Hiking is by far our favorite way to connect with each other and with nature. The time we spend together outside sharing, learning, and relating to the world around us is priceless.
What do you do with your family to connect?
I love snakes too! We're lucky that there aren't any poisonous ones here so we can get as close as they'll let us. (Our yard is full of them in summertime!) I love all the close-up photos you shared!
ReplyDeleteHmm, good question. Connecting has been challenging lately with 1/5 of the family so often gone. I'll get back to you on that one.
Nova Scotia has no venomous snakes as well. She was in the habit of catching them whenever she could. Not such a good idea here ;-)
DeleteSending connection wishes your way. So hard!
you saw so much!
ReplyDeleteYes. I felt like a kid at Disneyland running from one thing to the next to try to get it all in! Had to stop myself.
DeleteHiking is definitely on of those ways! I'm so glad that I get to see NM all the time through your blog. I can just smell the sage and dried crunchy cotton wood leaves. I can feel that warm sun on my skin and oh that blue sky. :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed. All those things. So happy I get to share it with you!
Deletelove to hike — and kayak, which is like hiking via water. :) camping. we love all of those things. but i suppose we connect daily in the simplest ways. walking the dog, reading and drawing together. :)
ReplyDeleteThose simple daily things are very nice too in many ways, nature just has a calming effect on someone I know that makes it so much easier to connect at a deeper level! So happy we have it.
DeleteLove the idea of kayaking as hiking via water.
The snakes are out here too and I must be honest and admit I am not a fan. So many of the snakes here have nasty bites we have to wear boots while hiking in the woods and since I have had two occasions when they have taken up residence in my home, I try and stay away.
ReplyDeleteSince my children are now older and only two left at home [soon to be one] we connect over Sunday dinners, birthdays, holidays and when it's planting/harvesting season.
We have had the snake talk many times since the move. It is a whole different world when they can inflict damage with their bit. I am certainly not a fan of that!
DeleteI know that these little ones are going to leave home someday but I still can't envision what that is going to be like. It seems so far away but I know what everyone says is true... it will come quick!
My husband loves snakes and we have garter and milk snake varieties living in our yard. Thanks for sharing the bits of color that you found on your walk-looks serene peaceful and soul filling!
ReplyDeleteSoul filling. Yes!
DeleteLooks like a beautiful hike. As a family we head to nature to connect too.
ReplyDeleteLove to see your family connect outside. Some beautiful hikes you have up there!
DeleteThe San Juan! I grew up along that river!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are amazing. Maybe one day you'll talk about what kind of camera you have?
How fun Deb! Happy I could share this part of it with you!
DeleteI have a old (2008) Cannon Rebel XS. I don't think they even make it anymore... outdated all ready! Yikes.
I just use the kit lens it came with (18-55) and I process in Lightroom.
Nothing fancy. Just makin' due with what I have until I can save! save! save! for something extra fancy! ;-)
what a great looking trail! i loved your coastal landscape, similar but different from my own. but this new home of yours is showing all kinds of treasures!
ReplyDeleteYes. Different treasures and inspiration here. And it has its own beauty but I do miss the coast!
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