Biking at Hays Nature Preserve and Playing at the Terrame Natural Playground

Back in May we experienced our return to biking at the Hays Nature Preserve. 

Since then, Jack and Daniel have been taking weekly bike rides at Goose Pond Colony (while I did my weekly kickboxing class). On occasion, I have been able to join them.

Today we went back to Hays Nature Preserve and explored some new dirt trails in addition to the paved greenways we rode on last time.

One of our trails took us to a Giant Tupelo Swamp. We didn't stay stopped for very long since the mosquitoes were thirsty.

Halfway through our ride, we stopped at the Terrame Natural Playground where we checked out features like teepees, a fort with a climbing wall, a music center and digging pits. 

The playground is made of all natural materials and in 2012, it became the first Arbor Day Foundation certified Nature Explore Classroom in Alabama. 

The temps during today's ride were perfect, and since we were moving most of the time, the humidity didn't really bother us (except for that stop at the playground).

After our time on the trail, we went to Chickfila for lunch. While we ate, we realized that the bottom had fallen out of the sky! I am so glad we weren't still on our bikes. I'm not sure what Jack would have thought about being caught in a rainstorm.

I am really grateful that we were able to spend some time together doing something that we all love. Especially since Daniel will be traveling for work for part of this week.

If you enjoy biking and live in the Hunstville area, we would definitely recommend checking out Hays Nature Preserve for biking (dirt or paved) and running. They also have trails for horseback riding if you happen to have horses. 

Today's ride was just under 9 miles, about a third of which was on dirt. 

Father's Day 2013

If you ever want to experience pure joy, then let a toddler to do something they have never done before. Especially if that something involves water.

After a lunch with friends at Cantina Laredo at Bridge Street, we wandered over to the fountain so that Jack could have a little fun in the water.

Never mind that we didn't have swimming trunks or a change of clothes.

Jack had a blast playing in the water and trying to drink from the spray.

And our friends had the chance to experience a little joy that a toddler can bring.

It is hard to believe that Jack has been around long enough for this to be our second father's day. This little guy blesses us tremendously each and every day. 

I am proud of Daniel for being such a good dad who is willing to do the not-so-fun things like change Jack's diapers, even on Father's Day.

I am also thankful for my dad and my father-in-law for being such great dads (and grandpas)!

Play Date: KidVenture

Yesterday Jack and I headed to Madison, Alabama to meet up with friends at KidVenture for a little bit of rainy day fun.

KidVenture is basically a huge indoor playground that is located in a warehouse. 

There are two large rooms with equipment that appeal to kids ages 0-10. Tables are provided for eating snacks or lunches that you can bring. They also have aquariums with all sorts of lizards to look at.

Jack had a great time. His favorite was riding a little roller coaster in the 2 and under corral. He could push the car up the track and then ride down it. He did this over and over. At one point I caught him standing on the car (at the highest point).

Another big hit for him was the train track that had a wheel that you turned with your hands to move the car on the track.

There are two large bouncy slide things. Jack wanted to try these but got intimidated any time he climbed on and started bouncing (these are definitely more for big kids).

We enjoyed visiting with our friends. The best part is that until age 2, KidVenture is FREE. We will definitely be back to visit in the future.

The only negative to the day was that right after we arrived, I took a moment to change Jack's diaper before we went inside. As I finished up, I heard a loud noise followed by a crackling sound. The entire rear window shattered and continued to shatter over the next 5 minutes. Thankfully the tint held it together and I was able to drive home. I have no idea why it happened. There was nothing on the ground that indicated it had been hit, moreover there was no one in the vicinity. This kind of threw me off for the rest of the day.

Lowe Mill Docks Concert Series and a Hike

We finally made it to a concert at the Lowe Mill in Huntsville. Unfortunately it is the last one of the season and we have to wait until September for it to start back up.

Before going to the concert, we made a pit stop at Blevin's Gap for a 1.5 mile hike in the woods. We love that there are trails so close to civilization. If we ever have a chance to move to Huntsville, we will try to buy in the Jones Valley area – it has Hays Nature Preserve for biking, trails at Blevins Gap for hiking or running and the Flint River for paddling. We LOVE this area.

After our short hike, we made our way over to Lowe Mill. We were starting to doubt the GPS, when Daniel said, "I see razor wire... we must be close." Sure enough, Lowe Mill was right around the corner. Why are art districts always in sketchy areas of town?

Anyways, we unloaded our camp chairs and blanket and settled onto a grassy spot in the back with a full view of the stage. The event was very relaxed. Most people brought their own food and drinks. We had water and snacks and Daniel went inside the Mill to score some sandwiches from Happy Tummy. They were delicious, but because of the concert, it took him 40+ minutes to secure our food.

   
Thankfully Jack was too busy enjoying the concert and people watching to notice.

Our boy loves music. He would bounce up and down to the music and he clapped after every set.

Can you spot Jack and Daniel in the crowd?
 

There was a 30 minute intermission at 7:30 and I wandered through the Mill to look at the various art galleries. It made me nostalgic for college... the smell of turpentine and linseed oil was strong from all of the oil painting studios. There were graphic design studios, painting studios, a print shop, a used book store, and even a theater for local filmmakers. I was impressed. If we ever live in a city again and I am in the mood to expand my business, I would be very tempted to rent studio space somewhere like this.

Overall it was a great family date night. Jack held up well for the evening -- we left about 8:30. He was mesmerized by the water tower that changed color after dark. He chatted the whole way home and went to bed without a hitch. I am so thankful he is easy going and we can do fun stuff like this.

Our First Bike Ride in Two Years

Two years ago Daniel and I took our last bike ride. I was 3 months pregnant and we did 10 miles on the roads close to our home. It was the last time I was on a bicycle.

Two months ago I found a baby carrier for a bicycle at a consignment sale that had all of the parts with it. For $15, I snapped it up. It had barely been used. Unfortunately we have had a lot of other things going on and Daniel needed to fix one of the shifters on his bike before we could hit the trails again.

Today he finally had the time to fix his bike and mount the baby carrier. So we took the opportunity of the gorgeous day to head to the Hays Nature Preserver in Jones Valley – about 45 minutes from our house on this side of Huntsville.

Before leaving the house, we did a practice run to make sure that Jack would tolerate being on the back of a bicycle. We stuck him in the carrier and he cried. I took a quick picture before Daniel took off down the driveway. Within moments, the tears turned to giggles. He loved it. 

They rode down the road and when they came back and dismounted, Jack cried because he was no longer sitting on the back of the bike.

Feeling confidant about a longer ride, we loaded the bikes and our gear while Jack anxiously tried to climb into the car.

We made it to the Hays Nature Preserve about 4:30pm and spent an hour and fifteen minutes exploring all of the connecting greenways (Big Cove, Hays Nature Preserve and the Flint River Greenways) as well as part of the horse/mountain biking trails that were throughout the preserve. 

We weren't planning on going off road, but the trails were too well maintained to not test the waters. 

We made it through some good mud pits and no one wrecked, so that is good :)

Jack had a blast. I think his favorite part of the experience was when Daniel went really fast. Daniel was impressed that he barely felt the bike carrier on the back of the bike. 

We were both thankful that Jack didn't balk at wearing his helmet for the entire trip and I'm pretty sure he was bummed when the ride was over.

We managed to bike a total of ~10 miles. It was a great way to end our long weekend and we can't wait to go back.