This summer, we've been renewing our commitment to spending the Lord's day with our focus in the right place.
Sometimes, that means having family date days on Sundays. At other times, it means that after Mass, we do service. And, on some Sundays - like this one - it means that we recognize that each of us has different needs and decide upon our Sunday activities accordingly.
Of them, two were wonderful walks I would recommend and one was humorous, but not highly recommended.
The first recommended trail is Brainard Marsh. The trail from the small gravel parking lot here is a mere .2 miles, but is quite lovely to stroll.
The beginning of the path is vibrant green - and has ample mosquitos, so do don your bug spray.
Gems of jewelweed color dot the landscape.
The invasive plants cover trees which can get your imagination going thinking up what creatures the tree forms resemble (much like finding pictures in cloud forms.)
Boardwalks bring you through a brief wooded area.
A sign points to a super short side trail.
The "pond" is laughable (but we were still delighted to have gone there since a cute little squirrel and a little black bird greeted us by timing their visit to the little pond exactly with ours.)
Larger birds - osprey - can be spied as soon as you go back to the maint trail and step on the beach.
Osprey are so fun to watch.
Not far from their nesting place are sea pickles.
Such wild edibles are worth a nibble.
Then, if you turn around to the treeline, you can spy some pretty random blooms.
Wading in the water is refreshing.
A picnic on the bench or beach would be pleasant.
It's not a big beach at all, but is cozy and delightful to hang at for a bit.
Then, on your way out, look for birds and butterflies...
...wish you had longer arms so you could taste some of nature's candy growing amongst the other plants - but do not dare, because there is poison ivy along the edges, too...
Then, hop back in your vehicle and head on over to the parking lot for Osprey Marsh, passing by Howland Marsh on the way.
If you love marsh views, walk the short distance back from the Osprey Marsh parking lot to the trailhead for Howland Marsh, but be prepared for a super short walk without a ton of payoff besides laughs at the condition of the trail.
Start on a wide woodland path between neighboring properties and smile at the lovely greens about you.
Spy plenty of sassafras growing.
Enjoy dappled light on the trail.
Beware the boardwalk when you get to it, though. It is in disrepair. (My daughter's foot went right through it!)
Your steps on the boardwalk might find you walking a teeter-totter.
Still the landscape is lovely.
You'll have to keep looking down at your footing through.
And when you get to the end of the baordwalk, you may wonder, "why?" It's a "boardwalk to nowhere".
Have a good laugh.
Spy the view you can see through the tall grasses.
Then return the way you came, enjoying the large ferns alongside the trail.
Spot mushrooms.
Spy Indian pipe. Then, walk back to the beginning of a much more recommended trail.
Osprey Marsh is a truly lovely walk.
Tiny sprays of wildflowers dot the sides of the path.
Some color draws the eyes upward.
Quite quickly, it is time to make a decision about which path to take.
Tucker's Trail is to the left and has a memorial sign with a simple, yet beautiful suggestion on it.
To the right is an accessible trail with more color along the way.
Huge patches of verdant, but invasive overgrowth also mark the beginning of the path to the right.
Then, the boardwalks begin - long, accessible, and oh so delightful through the vibrant landscape.
White blooms fragrance the air.
Benches dot the way should you want to pause to take in the beauty about you.
It's such a pleasant place - so much of God's glorious handiwork all about the manmade simple, clean, beauty of the boardwalk. It's easy to be overcome with delight and to share fun and laughter along the way.
The sides of the boardwalk are higher and can tempt you to do so some balance beam walking.
Little blooms can be spied.
Parts of the boardwalk are "fenced".
Beech (or was it birch?) grow close to the trail.
It's truly peaceful and beautiful.
At the end of the boardwalk is a viewing platform.
What a pleasant place!
A bench invites you to sit and contemplate.
A narrow trail below the boardwalk might entice you to go get a closer look at the shoreline.
It gets squishy though.
You can return the way you came, or opt to go down a little ramp onto Tucker's Trail.
Tucker's Trail has typical trail boardwalks in parts.
Vibrant colored mushrooms sprout up alongside the trail.
Cute spotted fungi can be spied.
Wild berries grow.
Ferns grow tall (and poison ivy grows near them, so don't step off path.)
Parts of the landscape seem almost jungle-like with thick overgrowth.
Invasives choke native plants (we think) but also make everything look so wild.
Pretty blooms peak out alongside the path.
Berries tease from just beyond arm's reach.
And the trail ends, beckoning you to come again.
We truly loved our Sunday strolls today and encourage anyone within reasonable driving distance to come check out these short, but lovely walks.
If you live further afield, we encourage you to see what strolls might be close to you.
Spending time walking in nature is such a beautiful way to spend a Sunday. You cannot help but give thanks to the Lord when marveling at the astounding beauty He created all about us.
What are some of your favorite palces to stroll on Sundays?
