Soulful Sidenote (No. 3)
A River Runs Through It
I always say that my son’s natural habitat is in nature – the more raw and unchanged by humans, the better.
For three days now, we’ve been playing “bear” with our water hose after school. Basically, he runs around and I spray him. Sometimes, the hose has three buttons for different snake venom. You get the idea – he’s a wild, creative and incredibly fun little human!
When I woke up Saturday to 80 plus degrees again – a weird phenomenon for Vermont in May when it could also be snowing! – I knew we had to go to the water.
Take Me to the River
We packed snacks, a change of clothes and a bag full of real life looking animals to make an “animal park”. We avoided the deep areas since the current moves faster in Spring than Summer, but that didn’t stop the exploring!
I just sat and watched …nature and my little guy did all the playing! Then a group of kids showed up, took one look at our kimodo dragon, and dug into the bag to play with fake snakes, rhinos and butterflies too!
My little guy teamed up with a few of the boys to build a bridge … they kept passing by talking about the “concrete” they were using to make it hold.
And it all cost nothing! A free day of play at one of nature’s best waterparks – minds full of wonder and bodies moving!
Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.
John Muir/Naturalist