Sometimes the Difficult Path is the Right Path...

 

 

 



Bayard Conservation Area

 

 12 Miles South of Jacksonville, FL

 

February 2015

 

 

Laurel and I had a rare few hours to ourselves and she wanted to go for a hike (heart stops to melt moment), so we went to Bayard Conservation Area. Bayard is my favorite place to hike within 30 minutes of home. It's a huge protected area with many miles of trails offering countless loop and out & back hiking options through several different forest types and one trail even ends at the banks of the St. Johns River. Since we didn't have Kellisa, I was able to take Laurel on a trail that features a very cool, but too narrow for any kind of mobility chair, boardwalk. The rest of the trails are wide, flat and usually free from mud. We didn't see any wildlife, but Laurel was ready to learn how to follow a trail using painted blazes on trees. (More pictures)

Hiking to the St. Johns River at Bayard with Kellisa (Nov. 2012)



A is for Abigail

An Almanac of Amazing American Women

Lynne Cheney

Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

 

A is for Abigail is another important book written by former Second Lady of the United States, Lynne Cheney. Even though Mrs. Cheney wrote the book to share the story of American women with children, I was able to learn a lot as I read the stories to Kellisa and Laurel. The book is full of brilliant illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser.

 

Mrs. Cheney does a great job featuring women of all backgrounds as they achieve wide ranging accomplishments. Women who fought for equal rights are included. Also, women who excelled in education, philanthropy, sports, science, math, exploration, and many other fields are featured. As a father of two daughters, this is the history lesson I want to share with them as it lays the foundation for future learning and goal setting. I want Laurel to know that she can do anything and this book proves it far better than any words I could come up with on my own.

 

Even though we only live about an hour north of Bethune-Cookman College, I had no idea that it was founded by Mary McLeod Bethune, a daughter of former slaves. I love reading about mountaineering and since Kellisa was born, I've found myself reading everything I can find about women mountaineers. Mrs. Cheney shares the story of Annie Smith Peck who in 1911 was the first person to summit Mount Coropuna. Annie planted a "Votes for Women" flag on the peak. Mrs. Cheney sets the example herself and through her writing...now it's up to the parents to help their daughters follow in so many footprints.

  

Our 50 States

A Family Adventure Across America

Lynne Cheney

Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

 

Our 50 States by former Second Lady of the United States, Lynne Cheney is an excellent introduction to America for young children. Mrs. Cheney wanted to share all the beauty and variety our great country has to offer in a fun and educational way. And she succeeds in telling the story of America with magnificent illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser.

 

Besides a great history lesson for kids, I love that a main theme throughout the book is a focus on our National Parks, a subject both my daughters enjoy. And, what kid doesn't love animals? Mrs. Cheney has that covered too! Native birds, animals, and reptiles can be found on every page of this inspiring book.

 

Our 50 States can be used in the home for educational purposes and/or planning the next family Great American Road Trip! I knew Teddy Bears were named after President Teddy Roosevelt, but I did not know that the first bear was made in Mississippi by Rose Michtom in 1902 after the President refused to shoot a bear in the woods of Mississippi.

 

Kellisa and Laurel get excited learning about places they've already visited as it ignites their memories. They may get even more excited learning about new places to visit. High on their list is a cave you can drive through in Missouri and seeing the world's most active volcano in Hawaii.

 

Trembling Earth Nature Trail

Stephen C. Foster State Park

Georgia

 

January 2015

 

After our animal encounters afternoon, we still wanted to get a nice little hike in, so we headed to Stephen C. Foster State Park in the southwestern portion of the Okefenokee Swamp.

I love this picture of Laurel. When she's not pushing Kellisa, she's usually leading the way. The boardwalk portion of Trembling Earth Nature Trail abruptly ended in the swamp- leading to Laurel's "confused" hand gesture. We were only able to hike 1.04 miles of the usual 2.5 mile trail. We still enjoyed the boardwalk, trail, and swamp as the sun was setting fast on this crisp January afternoon.

We ended our visit by walking an additional .43 of a mile along the park road looking for alligators. Surprisingly, we didn't see any and both girls were disappointed. I had to remind them that they got to pet an alligator earlier in the day. That fact didn't help as much as seeing the family of deer feeding on the roadside grass as we were leaving the park.

 

More pictures can be found (here).