Let me set the scene.
Thanksgiving weekend. Not a cloud in the sky. No plans. No appointments. Two wild and crazy kids.
Pretty much no other choice than to get out into nature and enjoy the beauty of this world that we live in. Lucky for us, some of our favorite homeschool friends invited us along on a Nature Walk to Secret Woods Nature Center.
The girls fell in love with this park when exploring with our friends – we found grubs, learned about Ribbon Worms and painted our little hearts out with our friends. Consequently, it wasn’t a huge shock that when we asked where they wanted to Nature Walk, they picked Secret Woods.
When you first arrive, there is this beautiful sign and map that illustrates where each point of interest is located inside the park. The kids feel like they’re in another world every time they walk through the park entrance.
After you walk in, to the right is this BEAUTIFUL little Butterfly Garden where they enjoy climbing this one specific tree. Mainly because both Mimi AND Chechies can get up into it and their little world feels so big.
There are a few different nature trails to venture down and it’s my absolute favorite when they hold each others hand and adventure together.
Exploring uprooted trees from Hurricane Irma
We also invented this new thing called Shadow Dancing – and if it catches on please send all royalties over accordingly.
Sprinkled all over Secret Woods are millions of little burrowing sand crab holes native to these areas. Sometimes you can be quick enough to scoop one up gently into your hands and take a closer look at it.
But, a word of warning. Male crabs have one huge claw – something you’ll be able to easily spot and you might not want to get your little fingers anywhere near them.
Further along the nature trail are beautiful boardwalks that wind along New River and open up to a large pathway of Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal – where we took another brief paint break, looked for marine life and watched the boats pass with our Papi.
I’m so grateful for the time I get to spend outdoors with the girls. I’m sure the cooler weather and the lower humidity also has something to do with it – but I’m going to think that this new shift in attitude has to do with this transition into homeschool life.
Listening to the leaves rustle, the pitter patter of their little feet hitting the wooden boards… nature has become my new favorite playground.
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