A Joyful January Jaunt

I am continually amazed by the natural beauty of the region we call home. The forecast is calling for temperatures in the mid-50s today and Sunday, and we didn't want to miss out on the chance to let the girls run off some energy, so we ventured out on a small hike. As we started off, I was struck by the fact that we did the same hike as a family nearly a year ago on a January day very similar to today. Kaylee was only 10 months old!

 

Within the first 10 minutes of our hike, we saw a bald eagle, a golden eagle, a coyote, prairie dogs, and cottontail rabbits. I didn't get any wildlife photographs, unless you count our little squirrels! :)

 

There are a few hills, but it is not a long hike, only a little over a mile to the cabin to where we enjoyed a break and a quick snack before turning around and heading back, but it was so peaceful tucked back behind the ridge.

I sat on the benches that line the deck of the cabin, soaked in the sun and took a little break while Mark walked with the girls on a little trail near the cabin. Every little thing about our outing filled me with joy; the fact that it is January and we were out enjoying the sun, the girls running around and smiling from ear to ear, walking side by side with Mark, taking in the beautiful scenery and wildlife, and the friendly people we encountered on the trail.

It made me even more convinced about some of the dreams and goals we have for making sure we visit and enjoy the family property we refer to as "the North Forty" after my mom sells her home. It is currently just vacant land, but we've tossed around some ideas starting with building a simple platform so that we have a place to put a picnic table and hang out when we're there.