A lovely location discovered...

Last year was Grace's first time on snowshoes, she did great and she loved it. Now that the snow is really here to stay we decided to take her on another excursion. After much family debate we chose a new location that we'd never been to before.

It's a newly created preserve in our town and I'm confident our friend, Mr. B., Sr., had ALOT to do with bringing it into existence. He volunteers tirelessly to ensure our town will always keep it's green space and to protect the "Wild Things" among us. We owe him a big thanks. I guess I'll have lots of questions for him around the campfire this summer. What a great story teller he is to young and old alike; I could sit and listen for hours, and have! He is likely the closest Ye-Ye that Grace will ever have. She has even called him Grampa one or twice. I think he was flattered and would happily add one more to his flock.

Our walk started before the snow began. It was simply a brisk, fairly clear day, perfect. Miss Grace took a few minutes to get her "snow legs" since last year.

With a few pointers from Mom, she was clipping right along in no time. A real natural.

One of my favorite things about hiking with little ones is helping them discover the awe in nature. All things are designed by our Creator with a plan and a purpose. We were fortunate to come upon a milkweed pod that had dried and it's beautiful silk and seeds were still intact. A mini-science lesson opportunity taken! We of course left it there for someone else (perhaps a  furry or feathered friend) to enjoy.

Then all of a sudden the snow began to fall. It was absolutely awesome. We felt like we were living in a snow shaker!

The whole character of the trail changed once the snow came. All of a sudden the world took on a stillness. It felt wilder, chillier and farther away from home. A great adventure for our little one.

All along the trail are bitter sweet vines. I happened to catch this shot as we crossed a stream. For Christmas, Peter and I bought each other a Nikon D90. We he learns a lot quicker than me have a lot to learn but it sure makes moments like this fun to catch!

Then just as Miss Grace was getting tired and ready to turn back, we found this really cool tree. Check out the bark, it looks like a pattern. I'm now on a quest to find out what kind it is. More later on that...

A lovely day indeed to enjoy nature's beauty.

Still hearing the snow fall ~Kate-Lyn~