Beaver Pond

 

Ahhh, fall.  The days are getting shorter, there's a crisp note in the air, and the mountains are putting on their autumnal finery.  We took advantage of the weather on Saturday to enjoy a hike with Nonny & Poppa and Kellie, Joe, and Yvey.  

The hike starts with a steep half-mile climb through a forest of quakies. . .

 

Eventually the trail levels out and opens into a meadow. . .

 

. . .Cross the meadow, go through a little grove of quakies, and voila:

  

 Chucking rocks into the pond.

The secret to keeping Anna happy on these treks:  Lollipops.

 Ben, on the hunt for "mo" rocks to throw into the water.

 Kellie went for a short sprint while the rest of us hung out at the pond eating Gobstoppers.

I snagged this candid shot and then when I reviewed it on the camera I exclaimed, "Oh darn, Kellie, you're in Joe's shadow." She said she's used to that.  

After the kids had their fill of rock-chucking--and after tending to Kellie's bee-stung hand (ouch!)  we headed back down the trail.

 

We stopped for another look at the bones we found just off the trail:  a vertebra and big ol' femur from some unfortunate ungulate.

 Ben, waiting to ambush Mommy along the trail.  His new favorite word:  "Boo!"

 Yvey, riding in style on Joe's back.

 Back at the trailhead.

 

Welcome, fall--we're glad you're here!