Hiking in the woods

On Friday, we got together with friends with the intention of enjoying the winter weather by taking the kids out for a hike through the woods. Upon waking to a frosty morning with quite a wind blowing, we approached the day hoping for the best.

In order to get the kids excited about our outdoor excursion, we decided to introduce some information about animal tracks to them and then head out to see what we could find. After reading "In the Snow" and "A Stranger in the Woods", the girls introduced each other to some of their own animal treasures including the two pairs of antlers, and the small skull of a (presumed) squirrel. We then gave them each a set of laminated animal cards and a reference sheet, which they used to determine each picture. I had had hopes that they would take their cards out to the woods and compare the prints we would find, but in reality mittens, and the fact that we definitely were not animal track experts prevented that from happening, but we did find the prints of many wild turkeys and deer.

Once we had reached the woods, it was amazing as to what a beautiful day it was.

The trees blocked all the wind, and we had a great time following the deer tracks, exploring a small creek, and breaking for hot chocolate and chips in a small clearing.

On the way back, the girls took to a game of "reindeer", and lined up to work together pulling their "Santa" home on the sled. Besides the sounds of the forest, which were often hard to hear, the sounds of laughter and giggles were just as intoxicating.