Spring has Sprung

Happy Easter!

So here’s something I’ve wondered about for quite a while, not hiking related at all but circling all the way back to when I was a religious ed catechist, forever ago. It’s a liturgical season and astronomical season pondering. Here in the northern hemisphere during the season of Lent, leading to Easter we would easily tie together the changing season of winter to spring to the liturgical season of Lent and Easter in our lessons. For instance, trees that appeared to be dead came back to life sprouting leaves, flowers that were dormant would poke there heads up and brighten the landscape again. The shorten dark days give way to longer daylight. The liturgical season of Lent leading to Easter fit perfectly to what we were experiencing around us outside; anticipation for something great to happen. That is putting it simply, setting aside deep theological thoughts, but back to my question: How does Lent and Easter feel in the southern hemisphere? Is there any astronomical tie in? Of course, rhetorical questions. Just since I’ve been so focused on the arrival of my favorite season, SPRING, I guess it seemed a fitting time to share that personal pondering as we wind down Lent and begin the Easter season.

But back to the task at hand…talking about hikes.

Back home again in Indiana, and resuming spring where we left it. I’m happy to give Michigan more time to catch up. Geez. I checked a nearby live park camera feed today and it was snowing (again) and although there has been some melting, there’s still a large sheet of ice floating on the water’s surface. Sadly, we returned home with some minor illnesses and injuries so this week’s hiking adventures were sparse and close to home. We did some divide and conquer hikes to keep Teddy Bear moving and provide a way to get his energy directed in positive directions.

Teddy was down a couple days, but on one of his good days he accompanied G. on a 4 mile hike. Teddy continued to also have his short “training” walks around the neighborhood to learn not to pull. We also visited Turkeyfoot Nature Park and he had many opportunities to learn not to get quite as excited passing other puppy friends. There’s still a lot left to learn there.

The wildflowers are out in full force along the path at Turkeyfoot Nature Park. The bushes have leaves sprouting and some of the trees look to have a green fuzz on them, soon to be leafed out. Strong evidence, despite the temperature in the air, that spring has arrived. This is the park I spoke of several weeks ago that a new golf course neighborhood has been developed on both sides of essential this linear park. The farm field and wooded areas now are replaced with beautiful stretches of immaculate green grass. In addition to spotting plenty of wildlife, most interesting was the hawk carrying a snake up into a tree, now we cross paths, literally, with golf carts and golfers. It’s a quiet environment, so not too much to fret about, just different. We made our obligatory trip over to the red bridge that is now simply a walking bridge, no cars permitted now. Eagle Creek runs along the walking path and under this bridge and always appears serene.

This blog project has given me the opportunity to be more deliberate in my observations. As we walk I’m always looking for unique things, sometimes nature sometimes manmade, that catch my attention. Then I try and capture the mood in a photo on my phone. Having Teddy along now on these hikes has made me aware of even more ways to be observant of our surroundings. Where it is our eyes that chart out our path, it is evident it’s Teddy’s nose that drives his steps. Where for us a brilliant sunset brings joy, an unassuming tree trunk or brick corner sends Teddy into rapturous pulling. His simple natural act of sensing things in his environment has made me cognizant of so much more to be observant of on our hikes. I won’t be sniffing hydrants, that’s for sure, but I’m more appreciative of the aroma of a backyard campfire or meal being prepared on a BBQ. I’m taking notice of the bird songs and gurgling of the water in the creek. A skill I am wanting to improve upon is listening, and nature is a wonderful classroom.