Nature Walk ~ Coastal Alaska

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My kids and I have been enjoying the cool rainy weather here in coastal Alaska. Most days we pull on a rain jacket and rubber boots and head down the hill from our little apartment to walk along the sea. Our real home is in the deep south of Louisiana where the humid heat is reaching sauna temperatures this time of year. This summer we escaped the heat to stay seven weeks at Grandma’s house. I would so love to share a bit of our summer here with you.

One of my favorite things about being out of doors with my kids is the invitation into their world. With camera in hand I follow behind them and try to capture their small treasures as they share them with me. They are especially fond of anything that looks tiny. The makings of a fairy forest. Little leaves and fungi sprouting up from the damp earth. Tiny flowers.

We talk about fairies and animals. Fungi and berry blossoms. Birds and food chains. And of course, gnomes and trolls that might live in hollow tree trunks. They tell me how we need to protect the forest, so animals (and fairies) are all safe. They say this to me with such importance, as if it were the first time this great cause had been discovered.

Sometimes we come home and pull out books to identify what we’ve seen. I see the patterns and shapes of their walks in the woods show up in their drawings. They begin to remember some of the names we’ve learned and some of the bird calls Grandma has identified for them. I know these walks are good for their little bodies, hearts, and minds.

But most of all, I am grateful to share in a bit of their wonder.

Tell me, what is your favorite part of adventuring with your children?