Don’t Even Think About It

Yesterday was warm(ish):  in the forties, which is a heat wave compared to the artic temperatures we’ve had the past month or so.  Almost immediately, visions of spring started dancing through my head. 

hiking through the woods on a snowy (almost) evening

Though our family enjoys wintertime and snow, cabin fever still hits around March and we feel the need to get out.  To throw the windows wide open and breathe fresh air.  To see sunshine and green grass again.  In my opinion, that’s the beauty to the seasons: each lasts just long enough for you to begin longing for the next, to make you really want it.  And right now, we want spring. 

So, when the temperatures rose yesterday and the sun broke through the clouds, I had one thought in mind: family hike.  After discussing the idea with Alexander, we decided to visit Chimney Bluffs State Park (he and I had visited it last fall for our anniversary and both thought the kids would enjoy it).  Even though when we woke this morning it was much cooler than yesterday, we were still excited at the prospect of getting outside.

no swimming? no kidding!  look at all that lake ice.  brr!

Alexander had made each of the kids their own walking stick for Christmas and ever since they’d been dying to break them in, so we figured they’d be as excited about our outing as we were.  But sometimes it takes some convincing to get the troops motivated.  And then, at other times, we’re forced to pull rank and just stuff everyone in the car.  In the end though, I think everyone was glad we went. 

We didn’t make it all the way to the bluffs—it was just too cold.  But we identified lots of neat animal tracks, broke in the kids’ walking sticks, chewed gum (trust me, it’s a big deal around here) and just plain had fun together.

And not once were we even tempted to go swimming.