Beware the Blue Footprint

In early September we journeyed to Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids. Did you know they help take care of injured wildlife? We saw several recovering owls, rabbits, and some turtles. They also have a bobcat there. We also decided to hike a trail. The boys are getting older so we left the stroller in the car. Tim wanted the “green” footprint but Ryan talked him into the “blue” footprint. Important note: One should always read the name of the trail or check the map. Well, after following blue footprints for what seemed like miles, we learned the name of our trail was “the back forty”. Three out of the four children wanted to be carried, one had to go potty, and one kept tripping on the roots. Four mosquito bites, three root falls, and one rustic potty break later, I was wondering if we were on a never ending loop. When things started to look familiar again and we looked at the map, we realized we had taken their longest trail, over a mile! Then we were all proud of ourselves. By the way, remember the “green” footprint Tim wanted? I call it “short, but scenic”.

Upon our return from the nature center, my older two children began requesting unique items to bring outside. Finally, they showed me their “habitat”s. There was a granola bar wrapper on the top of the fence because “Raccoons love garbage, and they can climb.” There was also a cardboard box with cheese in it and grass. “That’s the mouse habitat, Mom, they like cheese and grass.” I was still trying to figure what he had climbed to affix the wrapper to the top of the fence. I had a conference with Ryan and I am pleased to announce that the Westphal family is now the proud owner of a bird habitat. Well, a bird feeder anyway. So far, no birds.