Hiking in MacDonald Forest

Friday morning I took Marek hiking in MacDonald Forest. Here he's running toward me at the Oak Creek entrance. He loved crawling under the gate and reading the signs. It was great weather here that day. We didn't hike too far - his little legs still only want to walk (or run) so far before he demands being carried. But it was a nice hike anyway!







He found a dried leaf along the way and fell in love with it. He carried it the rest of the way during our hike. We had to bring it home with us.












Stopping to read a trail closure sign next to the creek. He really wanted to go see the water up close and get off the trails at times. But poison oak would not be a fun side effect of that for him!

Whenever we see a sign, he always demands that we stop and read it. He is learning the scientific names of flowers and plants this way. Not sure he remembers it or has any idea what I'm saying when I read these names, but when he becomes a scientist, I'll take credit for adding to his vocabulary.





Here's our friend, snail. It was pretty big and moving as fast it could. Marek was fascinated and wanted to watch it go across the gravel in front of us. He kept cheering it on, "Have a nice trip snail! See you later!"









Marek posing with the snail and his leaf - the two treasures of the morning.