Wow! We saw snakes!

Yesterday, while at Dawe's Arboretum in Newark, (http://www.dawesarb.org/visitor.php), my husband and I, our children and my parents were treated to some amazing sights while touring the Cypress Swamp.

We had been looking forward to seeing tadpoles and I sat down on the raised boardwalk and peered into the water with our children. Our older daughter pointed out a salamander and I squealed in delight. I haven't seen a salamander in the wild since I was a child. (I must admit, I laid down on the walkway to get a better look.)

Moments later my husband, who was pushing my mother's wheelchair, spied the little snake on the log in the picture above. I popped up and went running to look. I haven't seen a snake since our oldest was a bitty toddler picking blackberries with me. I grinned at the creature and scurried back to the car for my cell phone so I could take a picture. If all of this wasn't enough, my father spotted a snake swimming that was at least two feet long!

About this time another family arrived with their adult son who had a lot in common with our two younger children. I pointed out the critters to him and he was equally delighted. What a treat. What an amazing ecosystem! Without Dawe's such a swamp wouldn't exist here in Ohio. Dawe's is a wondrous place. Please consider a trip. Admittance to the arboretum is completely free and the staff is friendly and helpful. There are places for picnics and public bathrooms. Upcoming events include a Bonsai show on June 12th and 13th and many summer educational programs.

beauty all around us

time together

A patch of sunshine

Swamp?

This spring when my children and I went to Dawes Arboretum in Newark, we wandered through the breathtakingly beautiful park.

We took the Oak trail
and as we walked
we appreciated the signs of the world awakening
from its winter slumber.

In the forest,
the carpet of lush vegetation
made me dream of the coming warmth.

At the end of our hike,
we reverently walked the boardwalk
through the Cyprus swamp.

Today one of my dearest friends and
I traveled the same path.

To my great astonishment,
the water was gone.

My idle curiosity as to the depth of the murky water
teeming with tadpoles was at long last solved.

In its place,
new questions...

Is it normal for the swamp to dry up?
Where did all those bitty frogs go?

Life is always an adventure.
Everything we learn leads to more questions.

Each day is gift,
a chance to enjoy the wonder of the world.

Some days we face hard questions...
the sad "whys" of the word...

Other moments we may feel outraged at the "why" questions...

But, always we are alive when we ask for answers...
seeking and walking the path before us.

I think most of you,
like me,
have experienced the range of emotions I speak of.

Tonight,
I give thanks that I can feel.

If I have to know what it means to feel sadness,
so that I can appreciate blessings...

If I must walk through valleys to make it to the top of the mountains...

Let me then learn a few of the answers along the way...

Even if they only concern swamps and tadpoles.
I will be blessed.
I pray that we learn from the good,
the bad
and the sad
we meet in life.
... And that,
in the end,
we walk on with peace in our hearts
and the knowledge
that we are loved by the One who holds all truth.
Today and always,
I wish you what you need...
and then...
the extra measure of grace
to bring a smile to your face.

Mom, are we almost to the car?

A moment on the grass,
convinced she was absolutely going not going to make it back.

My youngest daughter is a bit of a drama queen.

I wouldn't have a clue who she got that from.

=-)

Did that sign say State Route 70?

My eldest daughter and I played hooky today.

I used a personal day and sprung her from school.

Our plans included running errands,

a couple donuts and a trip to her favorite Metro Park!

By around ten o'clock, our errands were done and our donuts were a vague but happy memory as I headed our adventure mobile toward our destination.

Not known for my great navigational skills,

I missed my turn.

Happily,

there are wonders to see down every road in Ohio

and we stopped at Dawes Arboretum just outside of Newark.

There we walked the two and a quarter mile Oak Trail.

...Up hills,

past breathtakingly lovely water,

near relaxing parents and playing children...

We talked and laughed and,

from time to time,

paused to sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery.

We were never,

"Lost"

as my daughter claims.

I knew where we were.

It just wasn't the place we had originally intended.

Life is full of unexpected detours

that often turn out to be at least as nice as the original plans we make.

May your day,

your night,

your adventure,

be wonderful...

Even if you don't end up where you thought you were going!

A peaceful place: Dawes Arboretum

About a half an hour or so from Columbus just off interstate 70 East is a place that celebrates trees, history and the natural world! Established in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes, the 1700 acre oasis of green contains fantastic things that I guarantee you will not find anywhere else in Ohio! There are beautiful Japanese gardens, a cypress swamp, a grove of Buckeye trees and much, much more.

Underneath the shade of a tall tree our family had a picnic. Ketchup and baloney, pasta salad and cookies, a summer lunch is really quite simple. It is in the sharing that it becomes something more.

As our lunch began our eldest spotted something moving in the grass. She pointed in out and I hopped up. It was a delightful tiny toad barely larger than a quarter! With a scoop and a squeal we captured it for a closer look. My husband took a picture and one of my summer wishes came true. (I used to catch toads as a little child and I look for them every summer.)

After our lunch, we went for a walk to the Japanese Gardens. They were beautiful! The best part was jumping the stepping stones through the middle of the pond. Our kids and our dog loved it! (Yes, I did say dog! Dogs are welcome everywhere in the park, even in the Visitor's Center!)

Make sure to take a trip to the park sometime soon. I know you'll love it. Don't forget your picnic or, if you have one, your furry friend. For more information please check out the Dawes Arboretum website at: http://www.dawesarb.org/.