Today, we ventured out and finally did some hiking. Really, it only took us 3+ months to do so. Chattanooga/Cleveland/Ocoee areas are know for it's beautiful outdoors. Why we waited until the leaves peaked is beyond me. Maybe a combination of being too busy and too tired with all the unpacking is our excuse.
We heard about a park near the Volkswagen plant called Enterprise South Nature Park. It's about a 20 minute drive for us, and it's totally worth it. There are several trail heads, a mixture between paved and unpaved paths, both for pedestrians and bikers. There's a paved loop around the entire park that's about 7 miles for cyclists or those with strollers. In all, the park is about 1300 acres and 25 miles of paths of pure God's beauty.
We ended up doing about 3 different trails that were about 2.5 miles total.
Natalie didn't know what to make of her ride. Damien said to me, "you are about to carry her. If I hear her say mommy any more" Here's Natalie proudly showing off a seed we found.
Dylan complained a lot of his feet hurting, but we didn't buy it. Really I think he just wanted to get home to play with his friends in the neighborhood. Once we told him that if his feet were too tired then he wouldn't be able to play outside later, we didn't hear another complaint. I told him the next time we come back we could bring a scavenger hunt list. We had really hoped to see a deer or something interesting (anything but a snake). Well, we saw 2 squirrels and a chipmunk.
On the trail that we took, was a "hidden lake". We took a little rest here and had a snack. Dylan had found some walnuts on the walk and took them down to the lake. He threw one in, as if it was a penny going into a fountain, and made a wish. He said, "do you know what I wished for? I wished we were all American Falcons and stayed together as a family". American Falcons are his new favorite animal since he found out they can fly 200 mph and are the fastest. Now he wishes he were one. I told him that then he wouldn't have us as they only stay with their parents like 1 year and then they are on their own. That's why he added the part about being together as a family.
We also came across a bunker. The park ranger at the visitor center said it was historical. I wish there was a sign explaining when and how it was used. There were boxes of explosives but nothing else to give us a clue.
We can't wait to go back. However, if I see a snake. I will stay on the paved paths.
