Family Hike

We haven't been hiking in a while.  So today, since Jeremy got home from work in the early afternoon, we made a family trip to Big Springs in the late afternoon.
We made a stop at Vivian Park so the kids could play on the playground, then we headed up to take a little hike at Big Springs.

It was a terrific evening for hiking.  There was so much to see and hear.  Besides the babbling brook, we heard hummingbirds, crickets (lots and lots of crickets), and the wind rustling through the quaking aspens.

The kids were able to explore a bit and Jeremy pointed out a lot of neat things to them.
A couple ant hills, tent caterpillars, horsetail plants, seeds on trees, a bird nest, a millipede.

There was a butterfly that landed on a branch and let the kids get pretty close before flying off.

On the trail there were hikers, cyclists, dogs, and we actually got to see horses this time.  Jr. Jr. was more intimidated by the little dogs than the horses.  I guess it helps that he's ridden the ponies at Farm Country so many times.
On the way back down the trail, Jr. discovered a snake.  Jeremy tried to get a picture of it, but it didn't work out.  I was very impressed that Jr. spotted it.  Way to go, Jr.

It was a good family hike.