Think Spring

It's almost spring time here and we are seriously enjoying some much needed warmer weather. It's been awhile since we've been able to get out and really go exploring.  I've been researching different locations near us so that we could find some new hiking spots and found this beauty! It's a pretty long trail, 3.5 miles. We didn't hike the whole thing because we got there later than we had planned and didn't want to get stuck out there in the dark!

This particular trail is a nature preserve and houses an old mine and steel yard. Which will give us lot's to cover in the coming weeks! 

Early into our hike we discovered these mushrooms. I think they are false turkey tail mushrooms, but if anyone knows for sure could you let me know? These prompted a yummy lesson on mushrooms this week which was a lot of fun. 

The trail was gorgeous and I don't even think my photos can do it justice. It was just so peaceful. At one point we stopped and it was just completely silent! I've got four kids, I didn't even remembered silence existed! I made everyone stop to just listen. 

It was nice to see peeks of spring popping up all around. I am beyond ready for warm weather! The better the weather the more adventures we can go on!

Although we were quickly reminded that winter isn't over yet when we got to this frozen lake. It seemed to be frozen solid, the kids were throwing sticks and acorns on to it an they just bounced off! 

Once we began heading back to the car we realized that we almost missed the mining and steel mill part of the preserve because it was off the long trail. But it was pretty cool once we found it. 

All in all we had a great time and we'd go back again. The hiking trail wasn't too difficult and it was beautiful!