"Little Explorers" Nature River Walk 6-8-11

     What a beautiful day to take our nature walk.  We finally have some sunny blue skies and the children were delighted to head out on our adventures.  We found many mushrooms along our way including a new interesting looking one.  The children released their energy as they ran up and over our hill to our familiar trail to the meadow.  We crossed over a stream with flowers starting to emerge to our familiar little waterfall.  They threw in a few rocks and sticks and we went on our way.  We passed our ant hill and last picnic lunch spot and continued on to the river.  Cade found a stick that looked like a candycane which he carried along the way and others found walking sticks to draw in the sandy dirt as they walked.  Fred made musical notes with a blade of grass which made everyone laugh!  The children enjoyed smelling sage which Cade picked and shared with everyone.  We found an old glass Bayer bottle which was left in an old "homeless home".  Various old trash, bottles, and tin cans are always scavenged through as we pass this spot on our walks.  Most of the children like to kick the old rusty tin cans!  We continued down trail along the drainage water admiring the green algae growing.  The children watched in fascination as a group of people were unloading boats to float down the river.  We made it to our sandy river and made camp for our picnic lunch.  The children were hungry after exploring along our walk and ate a great lunch by the rivers edge.   After lunch they threw rocks and sand into the water.  The goal of many was to throw in the biggest rock as they worked their muscles carrying the big rocks to the water's edge.  They found a friendly worm which they cared for and passed around.  Cade found a dead cricket which he laid to rest in the water.  We also found many tiny ants under rocks and tin cans.  We headed back home finding a lovely red snow plant emerging from the ground welcoming summer!  The children were ready for naps today after today's nature walk!  What a great day!