Nice day for a hike

We went on a hike last weekend when the weather was so gorgeous. Marek was so excited for the hike. He wanted to keep on going and going. Of course, he hasn't figured out the concept yet that at some point you have to turn around and come back - no matter how tired you are! We had a great time. However, on our way back down the hill we came across a family with a very excited big puppy that jumped on top of Marek and knocked him down. This has happened twice to Marek, where an excited big dog has trampled him and left him pinned down and muddy. Luckily no damage was done, but it scared me! The owners were very sweet (and responsible enough) to come up to Marek after disciplining their puppy to discuss what happened, make sure he was okay and talk to him about what the puppy had done. When a dog is in an off-leash area, the owners still need to make sure their dog can handle it. No wonder people grow up afraid of dogs! I'm glad he has good experiences with dogs, including Lily, because otherwise that would be enough to build a fear of dogs in him! He was a little upset, but quickly recovered. Enough excitement for one day!

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.