Category Archives: Parks

Our Weekend

settingupI decided last minute to do the DanMan Challenge this past weekend.

I had some complaining from my husband and son about my choice of the 10K, apparently they are above that.

I am not.

I would have choosen the 5K if they had one.

Since it was 3hrs away we camped at Lake Texoma Resort State Park the night before.

tent

dinnerDinner.

I really like these type of stoves, they make heating up water so much easier!

laketexomaThis is not a park we would usually travel to go to because it does not have much hiking but it was a beautiful place to spend an evening.

boyslake

lake2

play

shells

laketexoma2

water

trailIt even had a hiking trail.

It was an under 3 mile out and back.

forest

trailpathSuch a beautiful way to spend an evening.

himandmeI really like having a little photographer with me.

laughingWe started laughing when he just kept clicking away.

laketrailWalking along a lake, holding hands at sunset.

A memory I want to cherish forever.

holdingshells

swingingThis was me forcing my husband to turn around and my son to take our picture because the light was so pretty.

flowrs

tenteveningI decided to leave the air mattress at home, I thought surely the foam pads and an extra sleeping bag would be enough.

I am wimp.

It was not enough.

bedtimeReading a bedtime story on my kindle.

finishersThe next morning we ran the 10K at the DanMan Challenge!

My oldest and husband ran together and my little man and I ran together.

His thoughts on the privilege of running with his mom, “I am not the slowest in this family so why do I have to run with you?”

Yep, I am slow.

I am pretty sure I was fast enough for his first 10K though.

He did point out that a 10K is very short.

That poor child thinks 6.2 miles is nothing.

danmanchallengeIt was a fun run on dirt roads and trails.

It is so amazing that someone opens their ranch up and invites all of these strangers to come enjoy it!

It was a great first run for my boy and I!

Since this post already has a lot in it, I will share what we did after the Challenge tomorrow!

There just happened to be a fun history event going on in the area of the Challenge!

Sodalis Nature Park ~Plainfield, IN

Sodalis Nature ParkSodalis Nature Park is another park in the Hendrick’s County Park’s system.

trailheadsodThe signs are just like the ones at the McCloud Nature Park.

meThis park has 3.5 miles of trails and 210 acres.

Nick and I got to hike alone for this one!

I consider hikes dates, the best kind really.

I would rather watch a movie at home than a theatre and food tastes better after a hike.

trailmarkersAnother park with beautiful woods.

snow

grasspath

nick

beechsignThere are some educational panels on some of the trails.

battrailThis is also a conservation area for bats.

sodbarkSuch beautiful parks!

This one is just south of Plainfield.

Get out and enjoy the outdoors in your area!

McCloud Nature Park ~North Salem, IN

While in Indiana, I wanted to be sure and check out some Nature Parks near my parents.

One of these is the McCloud Nature Park.

It is part of the Hendricks County Parks system.

trailsignsIt has 6 1/2 miles of trails and 232 acres!

shootingMy mom joined us for this hike.

trailmarkOne of these days I will get there when the Nature Center is open so we can check it out and get a map.

Yes, we got a little lost.

In my defence I took us the right direction and we could even see the vehicle!

A river just happened to be in between it and us…

riverBarely a stream really.

climbing

bridgeThere is a nice bridge for those of you that do not feel like swimming.

iceThe boys(including Nick) liked to test the thickness of the ice on the trail.

He broke through.

I went around.

maplesyupThey have maple syrup demonstrations on the weekends in February!

They were going on the weekend we were there but my sisters wedding was the same day.

If you live the area though, you should check it out!

pathwayI took the angled picture on accident but liked it.

I do my best work when I am not paying attention apparently.

familyI took advantage of my mom hiking with us to get a shot of all of us!

This is a beautiful park and I would love to visit in the spring!

They have so many beautiful trees!

Be sure to check it out!

Nick and I were able to check out the Sodalis Nature Park by ourselves the next day!

I will share that one tomorrow.