New Year's nature walk

New Year's day was one of the coldest days so far this season, primarily due to the gusty wind, but it was too beautiful not to go outside.  We took the family down to a nature area by the river for an easy hike.  

  

We thought we'd cross the river to the dirt trail, but the wind was just too much over there.  So we threw the requisite stick (because who can stand above a river and NOT throw a stick into it?) and retreated to the asphalt path.  We were heading north, into the wind, so we bundled the kids up in the wagon with the quilt that my mom made for me when I graduated from high school.  It's still my favorite blanket, mom.

Once we were half-way cold we decided we should turn back.  With the wind at our backs, the kids disembarked and walked all the way back to the car.  In my view, the walk was nice but they especially enjoyed visiting with their parents.  We talked about all sorts of nature-y things, even if we didn't see a particular aspect of nature on this particular walk.  Volcanoes, for example, were a popular subject on this day.  We also heard and saw a hawk hunting, which was a rare delight.

 Then we found some sandy Iowa mountains, one just the right size for each of the girls.  Both mountains were climbed entirely independently of parental assistance.  The victorious Queens of the Mountains are shown.

Then, each with frozen toes and a drippy nose, we returned to the car and drove home.  A good time was had by all.