weeks of wonder

Weeks have passed and I have continued enjoying my walks with the dogs, almost every day. Not sure how long they will continue between the ticks & eventually the flying blood suckers. Last year I just stopped going into the woods over the summer :(

My walks don't feel much like hikes any more, and I don't physically feel any different. They must be good for something, other than clearing my head. Not sure why the walks no longer feel like hikes, other than without snow the paths seem shorter. Pretty sure they aren't. I am not a fast walker, especially these days. I must be walking them faster tho. Not intentionally. 

Googled and found this:

"The difference between hiking and walking is that hiking is described as a long walk, often done for pleasure on trails through the woods or country. Walking is the term used to describe the everyday activity for short distances."

I am staying away from the arena area path while the guys are working. I also no longer walk the upper loop in the prairie/dump area because sadly it isn't safe for the dogs. Debris has worked its way up and among other things there is a lot of broken glass. Brad & I picked a bunch up a few weeks back. More keeps appearing on the cleared paths. It makes me think broken pieces of anything and everything are everywhere, I just can't see it. Not sure how that area will ever be safe for walk-a-bouts with horses and dogs. Brad assures me it will. The prairie area is lower priority and got an initial clearing last year to get paths started. We have a lot left to do.

For now, if I want to go for a longer walk I take the connecting paths twice and/or walk along the edge of the back field. I am considering taking two shorter walks instead, one in the morning and one early evening. Maybe. Maybe not. Eventually all areas of our property will be connected, and this will be a non-issue. Unless of course, I want even longer hikes ;)

I absolutely still stop when something catches my eyes. Here is a mixed collection of photos from a couple weeks of wondering around:

reminds me of ground sedum

so many places for woodland fairies to hide

little nook at the base of a large tree

muscari

bright red tree buds
(red maple?)

Nemo and Koda want to know when they get to go exploring

Harmony hasn't been on a trail since before we bought her. She is more of an arena girl. I think she would be fine being ridden with a light confident rider. I would like the poor girl to do something, even if ponying or hand walking with us. She is a good horse, that has been trained in every discipline. Hopefully her girl will give her some attention now that she moved back in with us.

Tinkerbell has been hanging out in the lower pasture woods
away from the noisy builders

this fun-guy has been laying around in the middle of a path for a while


ferns grow anywhere


natures supper table

Brad planting the last field with hay

We are no longer growing alfalfa. Nemo & Cierra can't eat it, so why grow it.


Nemo coming over to say hi

the lone leaf is still hanging around

empty milkpods

I couldn't chose between these last two photos
I like them both for different reasons

how do some of them still have seeds?

I suppose I should get my head out of the clouds and get some work done. Stay well my friends!