Daytrippin’…

Today has been the first day in about a week that we have actually had decent weather with lots of sun and warm temps so we were definitely going to take advantage of it. Originally we were going to head into Kershaw Park and I was going to put A Bird in a kayak for the first time, however I quickly rethought that plan when I realized how cold the water is at this time of year and just what that does to a man’s wedding tackle if you know what I mean. So instead we decided to take a short road trip to Trumansburg, NY and go to Taughannock Falls State Park.

We packed the cooler with some subs and drinks and headed out. We stopped at the top of the park to take a look at the 215 ft falls from the top. That’s the pic above. Then we drove down to the park and pulled into the picnic area for a quick lunch before the hike.

It was perfect, we spread a blanket on the ground and the girls spread out and had some lunch, I manned the cooler from the picnic table and everyone was  fed and happy. It was in the shade of a large tree with just enough breeze to keep everyone cool. We were packing up the lunch when L Bird mentioned that a tree would be a good spot for a picture and well, A Bird never misses an opportunity to be in front of a camera so we shot a few quick pics.

With the cooler back in the car and Nat well shaded in the stroller we headed out. It’s only a 3/4 mile hike over mostly flat trail to the gorge with the falls, unless you decide to hike up the stream bed. Then , well it’s still only 3/4 of a mile but it feels like forever while you’re slowly slipping over algae covered stones trying to keep a fearless 6 year from falling and being swept away with the current. But hey it kept her happy,right?

Nat decided it was much better just to hang out in the stroller.

But we did take a few breaks to sit on a log that turned out to be a GIANT see-saw when I put my big ol’ frame down on it.

We also took in the usual stream wildlife. Some minnows of various sizes that shot through our feet and legs, the water bugs and mosquitoes, but what we saw the most of were tadpoles. There were places where the water was a giant black cloud of polliwogs.

Yep, all of those little black dots are going to be frogs one day.

We kept going and found a spot where L Bird ventured down to jump in the mix. It was a little slippery so A Bird had to lend a hand.

We finally made it to the end and took a few pics. We would’ve taken a lot more but on a warm sunny day, the end of the trail was mobbed with quite a few people.

A Bird and L Bird decided it was the time to practice for their upcoming tryout with the new Village People and started striking poses.

Then L Bird got a great shot of me with the girls that is destined to be hung in my office.

Now came the part that everyone hates, the hike back which was made oooooooh soooooo much more pleasant listening to A Bird whine about her feet hurting and she couldn’t walk another step. We managed to make it back with  some walking barefoot in the mud of the trail, a few short muddy piggy back rides and the promise of stopping for ice cream once we got back to the car.

All in all, it turned out to be a great day. Everyone had fun and is exhausted now. Nat and A Bird had baths and are off to bed fully worn out and hopefully happy. L Bird is trying to relax and I am taking in the rest of the day while I write this.

I am sitting on the deck watching the sun sink lower in the sky, listening to the chickens cluck and the birds around me chirp and flutter by with a cold Narragansett lager and a Vegas 5 cigar.

Life doesn’t get much better.  I hope you made the most of today, enjoy!