We took all the kids to the F.A. Sieberling Nature Realm this morning. My Grandma and Grandpa Hermann used to take me there when I was young - back when it was just an arboretum instead of a nature realm. The visitor's center was small and mostly consisted of a gift shop and some windows to watch birds. Though its not larger in size, the renovations that have been done are amazing! There is still a gift shop and windows for bird watching, but there are lots of new exhibits as well. Some live snakes, turtles, and other small animals caught the kids' attention, as well as the larger than life model of the entire ecosystem under the surface of the pond.
We started our morning in the herb gardens, where we stumbled upon this beautiful lily pond. Audrey happily jumped out of the stroller to sit on the rocks for a photo.
Audrey and Lloyd.
This bench was on the far side of the pond, just off the main path. I could go sit there everyday I think. It was so peaceful and beautiful, surrounded by all the colors and sounds of nature.
Eliza and Isabella.
These gorgeous yellow butterflies were everywhere - Eastern Tiger Swallowtails.
Then we headed past the visitor's center to take a hike before going inside. We let Lloyd pick the trail - out of 3 trails, 2 were only about half a mile, and one was 1.4 miles - of course he picked the long one. It wasn't the distance that got to us as much as the rough terrain through parts of it with umbrella strollers. It wasn't bad though, we all enjoyed it.
This little bridge over a creek was a big hit.
The trail looped back to the visitor's center, so we went in to check it out. Lloyd liked the model of the under water ecosystem.
Looking for giant bugs.
Kyrie and Nana checking out the opossum hanging in the life-size tree.
We wanted to take the kids to see the 110-foot-long suspension bridge, so we regrouped, and headed back out to follow the Cherry Lane Trail. They excitedly ran along the trail, with the promise of a really cool bridge ahead.
Papa and Kyrie.
The bridge - spanning a 45-foot-deep ravine.
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| Eliza, Lloyd, Teddy, Isabella, Kyrie, Audrey, Sage. |
All the kids on the bridge - Teddy is Amanda's best friend Danielle's little boy.
The bridge alone, was totally worth the extra half mile hike.
But there was still more to see on the Cherry Lane Trail. This little landing overlooked another pond full of blue gill, and we saw one really big bass.
Amanda and Audrey heading back to the stroller after watching the fish. Audrey was concerned about one of the other kids being near "her" stroller, so she wouldn't look at the camera or smile.
Wonderful morning enjoying nature together!
Oh, this is SO my kinda place. I love that it's called a nature realm. So beautiful. Would have loved hiking to that bridge, too. It's great to see so many kiddos hanging out together in nature! :-)
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