A Simple Walk

Our little town of Carmel, Indiana is blessed to have many small parks scattered around the countryside.  You may remember my previous posts with  photos of Anneliese and Addison, as well as Ryan and Lindsey taken by me at Coxhall Gardens. 

We have another wonderful park close by with a fabulous walking trail, which we explored the eve of the first day of our new school year this week.  I loved it!  There is even a sweet little path that meanders through a small woods.  It is peaceful and quiet.  You would never know that you are smack in the middle of Carmel.

Isn't it lovely?

It's been an incredibly dry summer (winter was, as well) this year.  So the rains that we have gotten so far in August have caused all sorts of little mushrooms to pop up everywhere.  I saw so many adorable ones on our walk.  Like this little band of brothers.  So cute!

Sometimes there would be many huddled tightly together.  Other times just a single mushroom popping out of the trail of mulch.



Our walk took us under the bridge that leads to the Monon Center, where Katie takes her swimming lessons during the winter months.  Several ducks followed us on our walk, convinced that we had some treats for them.

Here is Katie, "talking" with them.  And in her innocent way, trying to coax them into walking with her on the trail.  But they took one look at our dog, Winston, and decided against it.  Little did they know that he is mostly deaf and losing quite alot of his vision as well.  He might not have even known they were close by him.

Another view of the stately bridge.

As you can see, the area surrounding the bridge is naturalized.  Which is the same as saying that it has been let to go back to its original prairie state.  This had been the design vision from the very start.  But when Central Park and the Monon Center first opened, folks were shocked.  Many people asked if the city had overrun their budget on building the facility and when would they raise the funds for the "landscaping".  Oh my!  I rather like its wild state.  And I love all the pretty "weeds" as well as the wildflowers that make their home in the prairie.

Like the lovely purples that dot the fields.  So bright and cheery.

And the occasional sunflower, with their shining little faces. 

And bright little red berries, here and there.

And who doesn't love Queen Anne's Lace?

Or the tiny new leaves of a young tree?

As for me, I always smile when I see mushrooms.  They are sweet little umbrellas for tiny woodland creatures...........and I hope, for the occasional gnome.