Hiking with Drew

 
           It had been a long cold winter Drew and I could not get out for a morning hike till today. Being a warm 75 degrees we didn’t have to wear many layers. He’s a very sweet inquisitive boy who always asks a lot of questions.: Why does moss grow on the north side of trees” he asks. It's times like this when it would be nice to have my husband here, but he is overseas were the work is. “Well it's not just the north side its on the shadier side because that is where the moisture is.”
           On we went looking at snails on the ground watching the deer pass by along a ridge, being quiet as to not startle them. “Mom he whispered it’s a bunny den they are coming out for food” he leaves a few carrot and lettuce scraps from last night's dinner. I walked down the path and spotted some glorious Blue Jays and a Downy Woodpecker. “Listen Drew the woodpecker is getting the bugs out of the trees.” My sweet Drew was staring at the Bunnies, they are cute and fluffy after all. We followed our path down further after the bunnies went back to the den.
           The skies were getting cloudy, so I hoped the rain was not going to come back, though the weather report said there was a chance. My little explorer with his school uniform on was undeterred, I wish I could wear shorts on a 75 day and not be cold it's always nice to be young. Walking along our path we spot some squirrels running in circles around the tree. “Why do the chase each other like that” Drew asks. “Maybe it’s a game for them like ring around the Rosie.”
           On we trek to our favorite stream were the deer family are taking their drinks so I tell Drew we can’t skip stones right now we don’t want to scare them. We look through the grass for more of his favorite bugs, saw some worms just below the dirt by a tree. Looking up we see a big spider web being made between two branches. The crows were making their calls in the distance and we are finally able to skip our stones in the stream. He gets some great skips going and we collect some new rocks for our little garden back home.
      Walking past the stream we climb up the embankment and up along the ridge where we see a Fox off in the distance. He or she walks the opposite direction we are going so it’s a relief we can continue to the clearing were there are more bugs, rocks and Bunnies. We pass the Deer family as they run up the hill to were, they mostly frolic or maybe they live up there. We stop for a snack of Apples, Almonds and some cheese sticks. When we were finished Drew put a couple of slices in his pocket to feed the Bunnies, I’m sure.
           “Mommy we’re getting to the clearing now we can see the Bunnies and the last time Daddy, and I were here I got some neat rocks too.” Drew told ne enthusiastically, I did love his passion for nature, though again my husband is much better at the nature stuff, I’m a pastry Chef ask me about desserts and I’m your woman, about why moss grows on trees and hello Google. Since Dad is unavailable, I step in and let him explore and see the world outside of the house and off the screen.
           It's just another half mile and it's on to the clearing. He starts to pull me hand a little harder I know he’s excited. We pass under the tree I glance up and see the Fox again. The we stop and see “Daddy home……