Up a (Frozen) Creek

We had a nice snow here earlier in the week. We got 3 inches or so and it has been cold enough for it to actually stick around. The boys have played out in it every day and one day I went out and played with them.

Well, explored really.

We found and followed some animal tracks all around the yard and into the woods. It was so much fun that I promised we'd go back out, but then we ran errands all day Thursday and had Dayspring on Friday so we didn't get around to it until today.

Luckily, it's stayed cold and we got to go out as a family.

[caption id="attachment_2569" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Say "Adventure!"[/caption]

The dry creek in back hasn't been much to look at until the flood. Holy moly, it really changed things! It eroded a lot of the creek bank and pushed the gravel around. There are huge boulders everywhere. It's amazing.

[caption id="attachment_2567" align="aligncenter" width="200"] The Creek[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2559" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Gabe, Ready for Adventure![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2563" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Luke, Ready to Explore[/caption]

The waterfall was our main stop. We saw it earlier in the week, but I didn't have my camera with me and I didn't want the boys playing around it too much while it was just me with them because I have no idea how stable the soil and rocks are since all of the flooding.

[caption id="attachment_2564" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Frozen Water Fall[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2573" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Water Fall[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2560" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Icy Waterfall[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2566" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Close Up[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_2565" align="aligncenter" width="200"] "Look Mom!"[/caption]

After a thorough inspection of the waterfall, we decided to walk up the creek for a while. We saw an abundance of animal tracks: bird, dog, deer, raccoon, rabbit, cat. It was so fun to follow them!

Of course, when you are near water with boys there's lots of rocks thrown into the water.



 

I love this picture! It reminds me that perspective is important. This looks like a canyon, but those large rocks are only about 2' to 3' tall.

[caption id="attachment_2561" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Canyon[/caption]

I really wish I'd brought a little boat to sail through it. Juvenile, yes, but there you go.

We followed the creek for a bit until Luke said his hands were too cold. We turned around, made it home, and drank some hot cocoa.



Adventures are wonderful, but nothing beats an adventure close to home!