Sunday, September 25, 2011

Garin/Dry Creek


After last weekend's hike, we bought new backpacks for the boys. Zachary's old one was too big and he struggled with it a lot. This morning, they were both very excited to pack up some snacks and animals to take on the hike. Up up up the hill we went and from the top, we could see last week's adventure, Coyote Hills (see them in the near distance).


Alex forged the trail while Zachary peaked through the grasses.
We chose a trail that we thought would lead us to a pond. Instead we found the steep road less traveled and a little stream.

As we were headed toward another trail, someone asked us if we were there for the apples. We just happened to be at the park on the one day a year that the orchard is opened up for apple picking! Alex and Zachary had a lot of fun going around the orchard picking and tasting apples.


Now we have piles and piles of apples...time to start the applesauce! Oh, and a few figs and plums.
The next trail we tried did take us to a pond, and also to a hillside filled with goats.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Coyote Hills

Today we decided to go hiking at Coyote Hills. Alex and Zachary packed up their backpacks and we headed out. We started up the first set of hills and enjoyed the views along the way.

There were some interesting rocks at the top of the hill, that were perfect for resting.

Next we went back down the hill toward the visitor's center. We rounded a corner, and there was a ranger showing a couple of snakes. First he let the kids touch it, then hold it, and then he asked if anyone wanted a snake necklace. Alex's hand was up instantly. Ay yi yi!

After the snake necklaces, we washed up and went outside for a snack that Zachary packed for us. He handed out fruit strips to everyone. When snack time was over, we hiked up the next set of hills. This one is the highest one in the park. Zachary and Alex both hiked the whole way up!

Once again there was a cool rock for resting and enjoying the view.

Monday, September 12, 2011

School Days


We've had a few days to try to readjust our internal clocks, and now it is time to start a new year of preschool. Alex will be going 5 days a week and Zachary will be going 3. The reviews of the first day were pretty good, so I'm hoping for a great year!