A Little Friday Hiking

 Good afternoon on this hot and sunny Friday.  At least we've been free from rain for the last few days.  

This morning we decided to get some of our hiking done for the Get Outdoors program.  First, my son caught eye of the Amish donut truck that comes into our area every Friday.  He bought himself a donut.  Such a grown up, I know.  

2 of the hikes were in the same location, a park that has a lake and a lot of trails.  Each hike was measured at 1 mile.  

A straight rocky path with some mud and sounds of birds rustling in the trees.  

Posing with the instructional book and the rubbing sheet.  They each have their own sheet.  It was hot and miserable but we made it.  My daughter's smile in this picture was forced as she was not in the mood to hike today.  She woke up complaining of not feeling well but since last night she's been pretty down after finding out that her group of school friends have been hanging out together and excluding her.  She's felt them distancing themselves from her for a long time.  Raising a teenage girl is not for the weak, I'll tell you that.  My heart has been breaking along with hers and I just don't know what to do to help.  

There was a third hike we did today at a smaller park and the post could be seen easily from the parking lot.  It was amusing to watch the kids run to the playground and enjoy a moment as they did when they were smaller.  Oh, I miss those days.  Less drama in that time, for sure.  

As of today we've accomplished a total of 10 hikes so far this summer.  20 more to go.  There's been no excuse for us moving slowly since we have had a lot of free time but I am determined to get them all complete before the end of August.