Saturday, September 18, 2010

outside days.


There are some places we go where we all just feel so calm and happy and grounded. While we spend a lot of time OUTside, some places are just ... more. Devil's Lake is one of our favorite places - it is so beautiful. Due to too much road construction for awhile there, we haven't been as often as we like. Yesterday we headed up for the afternoon. It was a perfect afternoon - not too hot, not too cold, sunny, and with practically empty beaches and trails. The water is even still warm!




My oldest, A, has a hard time living in his skin sometimes - for lack of better words to describe it. But get him outside in a big empty beach, park or forest, and he is happy, relaxed, and focused. He and his brother spent hours in the lake, stacking stones, building rock sculptures, skipping stones and trying to capture little fish in rock rings to observe them. Pure bliss.



Of course we also had a picnic under a big purple tree, went on a hike, looked at the orange leaves falling under some of the trees, collected black walnuts (G is collecting tree seeds/nuts), watched animals and studied plants and moss, looked at of the amazing purple and pink quartzite rocks (created by a glacier 12,000 years ago), and just had a wonderful afternoon.


I know that having something like that in our backyard, far from close together houses, hard pavement and urban busy'ness would be so wonderful for all of us, but especially for A. Some day we hope to move out of town a little for acres and space -


Until then we will always go to find the places that make us feel happy and calm and grounded as often as possible. We are all happiest there, after all.

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13 comments:

Atharva said...

freshness,happiness and fun....i feel to go therew ith my family too....

se7en said...

I am reading your post as you are reading mine!!! I love your boys running free... in the second pic... and the pure splashy joy below!!! Isn't the great outdoors good for all of us!!!

Michelle said...

I Love the hearts in the sand. Love it.

Anonymous said...

looks like an amazing place. we miss our little lake set in the middle of our little deciduous forest back in japan.

Sally said...

your guys are getting so big, denise! this looks like a great day!

Anonymous said...

This looks beautiful and we have never been there. Have to check it out sometime soon with my girls!

Tara said...

Looks like a really nice spot to return to for relaxing and playing!

I know anytime there is water available to splash in, my boy is happy. Lovely photos :0)

Cate said...

it seems like the best way to help your oldest feel a little more comfortable in his skin, running around outside in one of your family's favorite places. splashing=healing. xoxo

Purple Flowers said...

You have a very nice blog.

erin said...

I really appreciated your way of describing your boy " my oldest, A, has a hard time living in his skin sometimes..." I have two of those over here, and they are a joy...a very active pair of boys who challenge me to come up with great places to discharge that kinesthetic way of being!

We love outside adventuring, and the proximity to places to revel in the outdoors is a blessing here. We could stand a little less rain, usually September is warmer and dryer, but the mushrooms are out early as a bonus!!

Loved reading about and resonating with the type of day you had!

~Erin

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brianna said...

Beautiful!

Kelly said...

Boys being free..such beautiful pictures and wonderful surroundings. My boys are happiest when they are out there in the fresh air.