Highland Forest - March 1, 2014

Baby Mole

We decided to go for a little hike at Highland Forest one Saturday. Right after we got there, we found this baby mole. We were walking out of the lodge on our way to the trail, and Jakob noticed it right in the corner of the doorway. It looked like it was about to get squished in the door, so Mike picked it up and took it inside to ask the guys at the front desk if there was anyplace in particular they wanted us to put it. They said to just put it outside somewhere, so we found a tree where there was some dirt under the trunk, hoping it would be able to burrow underground where it belongs. Instead, it ran around on the snow a little bit, and then went under the snow. Poor little thing... I hope it found it's way home. Anyway, it was fun for the kids to see it.

Bringing up the rear.

Jakob did not want to be carried, so he and I lagged behind and took our time. :)

Sam, Alex, and Will.

Alex Redmon joined us for the hike. Katie stayed home to study for a big test she has to take for her teaching certificate. Alex brought Chief along, and it was so funny to see them come running up the trail to catch up to us when they got there... Chief had weights strapped to him, which is something I have never seen on a dog before, but he just looked like such a happy dog, running in the snow. :) The kids were overjoyed to have them join us, of course. They loved chasing Chief and throwing pinecone grenades at Brother Redmon. He was a good sport and played with them the whole time. Alex and Katie will be wonderful parents when they have their baby. They have been such good friends to us and have helped make our family's time here so fun!

Alex and the boys again.

 Mike took all the pictures, so there are no pictures of him, and I don't know why Avary and Chief didn't make it into any of the pictures, but they were having fun too!