Not So Lazy Days: Exploring nature in Palmyra Cove Nature Park
Field Trip
Needing to get out of house and knowing fresh air is as a good a remedy as any other, we headed to the Palmyra Cove Nature Park, nested just beside the Tacony Palmyra Bridge.
The park is great because it has a variety of trails allowing visitors to create their own adventure of any length they choose.
Because two of us were recovering from illnesses, we decided to take a short hike, taking the yellow Cove Trail to the red Red Winged Blackbird Trail (just walking along the one side of the Dredge Retention Basin) and back up to the Cove Trail. (We planned our trip after picking up a map in the awesome Environmental Discovery Center near the parking lot)
Not far into our hike, we found a little path to the Bullfrog Pond and wandered down it. The boys were quiet enough that a deer drinking the water didn't even notice us there at first. Then, she looked up and seemed to start watching us, as if we were an exhibit. Every once in a while, she would look around, prompting the little one to think she was looking for her mommy and daddy.
We eventually made our way back to the Cove Trail, looking for our planned path just past the first bench. Along this unnamed path to the Blackbird Trail, we found two more deer in the brush. These were a little more startled by our presence, as were we to theirs, so they didn't stay long to let us observe them. However, because the boys saw which direction they ran, and they noticed it was right by our destination trail, they were far more interested in peering in the woods than watching the birds and dragonflies on the Dredge Retention Basin side of the trail.
As we took the Red-Wing Cut Off Trail back to the Cove Trail, the little one noticed deer footprints in the dirt. He actually told us to look at the "deer footprints." In the Discovery Center, one of the exhibits he played with was one teaching various animal footprints, and he remembered what he learned!
When we reached the end of our trail, the boys were disappointed it was time to leave.
About the Not So Lazy Days series
I've challenged myself to find a new activity to do five days a week every week of the kids' summer vacation. Activities will fall under one of three categories: Arts & Crafts, Sports & Games or Field Trips. Follow me on Twitter @readallaboutsam for immediate updates on posts!
