Day Two Hundred Twenty Eight 2012

Stopping by the woods on a pleasant Wednesday morning, I really wanted to sit down on this nice bench because my shin muscles were screaming at me to stop walking. Today is my third day in a row going for a brisk walk for at least 20 minutes at least twice a day. And of course I have overdone it, but I’m determined to keep this up for my own good. My leg muscles keep begging to differ, but I refuse to listen. It’s a good thing I didn’t sit down. I never would have made it back to the house.

Day One Hundred Fifty Seven 2012

Grand kids Shelby and Elijah spent the day with Neil and me. Grandpa Neil had the day off and the kids are out of school for the summer and looking for something—anything—to do. After I forced him to take a break from his new favorite Wii Lego Indiana Jones video game that he played for hours today, Elijah wanted to walk down the street behind our house and swing on the big vine that hangs from a tree near the sidewalk that runs right alongside the woods.

That particular swinging vine was down on the ground and looked like it had broken off the tree. But we found this even better vine to swing on, deeper into the woods and away from the constant traffic on the street. Elijah had the best time swinging on that thing. Grandpa Neil was his bumper guard so he wouldn’t slam into the tree when he came flying back around.

These woods are really peaceful, especially with a nice breeze blowing through the  trees to keep us cool.

They had a good time running around in there.

We found this huge vine laying on the ground that must have been twenty feet long. Elijah said it would make a good jump rope, but it didn’t, so Shelby decided to wind it around the swinging vine tree to mark it for future swinging vine escapades in the woods.

So X marks the spot for the ‘sacred tree’ as she dubbed it and decorated it with leaves and clover. Elijah got more brave and daring in his vine swinging, yelling ‘Cowabunga!’  and had a blast, so we’ll definitely go back for more next time they’re here for the day. He pretended to be Indiana Jones. I hope it was more fun doing the real thing than playing the game.

Day Seventy One 2012

Neil and I put on our walking boots again today and headed around the neighborhood for a Sunday hike. We always take a different route, just to keep things interesting, so we cut through the woods behind our house when we came to that point. Found an old bottle buried in the ground and a weird rusty pipe sticking up out of a tree trunk. We walked through a neighborhood that has a brook running alongside the hilly properties that I didn't realize was there. Really pretty, especially the soothing sound of the rushing water. What a gorgeous day! I had to take off my sweater, cause I worked up a sweat hiking up the hills. Felt like a hike at times. We always manage to come full circle eventually, this time cutting through the elementary school driveway and into our back yard and onto the front porch swing for a little R&R. I forgot to check our departure time, but Neil says we walked for a half hour. I just smile and nod and drink my water and enjoy the breeze. 

Day One Hundred Eighty Six 2011

Into the woods. It's so nice to know that kids today, big and small, can still be entertained by the simple things--such as swinging like monkeys on a sturdy vine hanging from a tall tree discovered on a family walk on the fourth of July. Grandson Elijah was anxious to go back there today and have at it again. Son in law Kerry and niece Julia had a blast swinging on it, too. Plus, there was some fierce competition playing corn hole in the back yard. It was a fun afternoon hanging with peeps, and for a little while, the Mario Brothers were no where in sight.

Day Three Hundred Seven

A Walk In Capshaw Woods

The sky was insanely blue today. Makes me wish I was a bird so I could fly around in it.

Photographs never do the real thing justice. I love these blues and golds.

The trees in Capshaw Woods are pretty old. There are some giants in there.

The sun was shining through this yellow Maple leaf, making it glow.

Is it just me, or does this tree root resemble a rabbit head?

Down in the woods, looking toward Maple Avenue. All I could hear was the wind in the trees and the leaves crunching under my shoes.

I love these chilly, sunny, blue sky Autumn days. There is nothing else like it. I can't get enough of it. I'm glad I got to spend some time outside today walking in the woods.