Exploring

My son Johnny wants to be an explorer when he grows up. I could easily see him being in the National Park Service, or working as a researcher on a science team. He loves to grow things, look at things, build things. He has a sharp eye for distant landscapes and wildlife, and geography is one of his favorite subjects. My other kids ask to go get food or visit the bookstore (Joe!) when it's their turn to pick our destination. Johnny would rather go to the ocean, or the mountains, or anywhere there's something new to see or do. He is my biggest helper when we go camping, eagerly setting up the tent, determining the layout of the campsite, reminding me of the rules of camping or the particular area we're in. He and I share a common love for the beauty of the world (though at his age, he calls it "cool" not beautiful).

So I wasn't surprised yesterday when he wanted to go "exploring." We headed off to Woodward Park to hit the Lewis Eaton Trail. Kelly had her camera in tow, as she usually does these days. We walked a bit and before long, Johnny spotted a way to get off the trail and down to the various bodies of water down by the river. We went down a very steep path, holding on to a chain link fence nearly the whole way. (Oh, wait...that was just me holding on!) We looked in holes, drainage pipes, bushes, swampy areas, all the time making our way toward the river. It turns out the mosquitoes got too dense and hungry, and we ended up turning around and heading back earlier than Johnny would have liked.

It was a nice evening activity, and we had a great time checking things out, like this "bridge over troubled waters." Well, you can't see the bridge because I was standing on it to take the photo. Afterward, we went home to eat ribs, pilaf, steamed broccoli, and bread.

I hope he gets to fulfill his dream of being an explorer. I hope I get to go with him!