Gratitude-The quality of being thankful.

Becoming a blogger has been an interesting experience for me.  I regularly have ideas rolling around in my head...many things and experiences I'd like to share.  That is the main reason I decided to start a blog, as an outlet for all of those thoughts.  But the reality is that life interferes and many times I just don't make the time to share them.  I've had topics pop into my head over the months I've been doing this, but by the time I sit down to write, they seem less relevant, no longer important, or just plain silly.  But I've had one topic that has been top of mind for a couple of weeks and it's importance isn't lessening; it seems to be growing. 

Life has been busy the last few weeks with travel for work, three four-legged girls who require a lot of my time, volunteer responsibilities, family commitments, and my attempt to live a healthier lifestyle and truly be present.  Every time I have a quiet moment when I think I might find time to write, something has pulled me away.  But not today!  It is Sunday morning, the day I dedicated to spend a little time writing each week, and it's gloomy and raining.  So as I sit here watching Imke sleep (she's pretty cute when she's snoring!), I figured that this was the perfect time to share.

I'm sure most of you have at some time in your life felt grateful for what you have.  I can't imagine any human being not feeling gratitude at some point in their lives.  I know that there are people who take time each day to write down the things that they are thankful for and there are other ways that we express thankfulness to ourselves and to others.  But are you truly grateful?  Do you realize just how much you have to be grateful for every single day?  Even when life knocks us down, and maybe especially in those moments, we need to remember how fortunate we truly are and be thankful for every day we are given; everything we are given.

It was a Sunday a couple of weeks ago.  We had a rather boring day at home, the weather wasn't very nice, and I was feeling a little blah.  Early evening arrived and the sun came out for a bit and I decided to take the girls out for a walk.  As we rounded the corner just a block away from home, I realized what a beautiful evening it was and just how fortunate I was to be out enjoying a walk with these three amazing dogs with all of the Spring trees flowering.  The smells of Spring, the feeling of the warm sun, and the joy of Imke, Maddie, and Peaches as they explored the world, all combined and I felt this feeling come over me.  It was that warm, fuzzy feeling you get that hits you right in the heart and makes you realize how amazing life is and how fortunate you are to be living it!

Just another day in the life of a dog mom!

I couldn't help but think "How fortunate am I to be out on such a beautiful day?"  I was truly enjoying the simplicity of life and the beauty that Mother Nature shares with us every Spring. 

Over the last two weeks, I've had so many other times when that same feeling has just come over me in the strangest of moments-like walking out of my office to see the blossoms starting on this tree. It smells amazing when it's in full bloom and I look forward to it every year. 

Or spending time at my parents in the country and watching the joy experienced by my sweet old Imke as she explores, and then after all of the fun, she and Maddie lying down to enjoy the fresh air.

And watching Peaches discover it for the first time.  She got so much joy from just listening to the birds chirp.  It really reminds you how important the little things are.

I'm especially grateful for Nicol and all she has taught me.  To this day I am still learning from her and I love to see the world through her eyes.  Every minute I spend with her is special.  She is pretty amazing!

Or experiencing something as simple as the circle of life when you discover a robin's nest full of beautiful little blue eggs. 

And how about the simple gratitude you feel when coming home after a couple of days on the road for work.  I do feel so fortunate to live in such an amazing place as Michigan!

But mostly, I'm just grateful for every day that I get with these three beautiful girls who make every day an adventure.  I am truly fortunate and so very grateful every single day.  I hope you realize just how much you have to be grateful for as well.  Don't take one minute for granted!  Life is a special gift!

“So you think this is just another day in your life? It’s not just another day. It is the one day that is given to you…today.” ~ Br. David Steindl-Rast 

Spring has arrived!

After a long, cold Winter, Spring is such a welcome blessing.  The sun feels warm on your skin, the birds are chirping their happy Spring songs, the grass is getting green, and the trees are starting to bud.  New life and a new sense of purpose surrounds me everywhere I go.  I just love Spring! And with warmer temperatures finally returning, we have settled into a nice Spring routine over the last week or so.  There is nothing better after a day in the office than coming home and spending some time playing in the yard or getting out for a walk with the girls on a sunny day.

I love our daily walks around the neighborhood.  Peaches leaping forward enthusiastically, Maddie trying hard to keep up with Peaches, and Imke slowly tagging along behind enjoying every new smell along the way and, thankfully, making us all slow down a bit and appreciate the world around us.  They all have so much joy out on those daily walks that I can't help but smile too.  We've been varying our route and the length of our walks occasionally so that we can see some new things and they can smell some new smells.  The best walks are the ones when we take a new street and they all slow down to drink in all of the amazing new scents with their tails all wagging at about 100 mph. 

Posing for mom after a good day of playing in the yard.

But I've decided that sometimes we need to change things up a bit so we've set some new goals for ourselves.  First, we're going to be exploring some new areas locally over the next several weeks and trying more local dog-friendly activities.  Plus I'm going to be spending more time one on one with each of the girls.  Its a nice break from walking three dogs and it is great for them to get mom to themselves and to be able to just be themselves.  It is amazing how much their amazing personalities and great manners shine when they are all alone. 

Maddie enjoying a walk through Old Tow

With these new goals in mind and the beautiful weather last weekend, I decided to take advantage of some dog-friendly activities locally and attend the Old Town Doggy Social Hour.  It was sunny and gorgeous and not far from home, so it was the perfect way to get each of the girls some fun with mom.  Maddie was first and had a great time meeting new friends and walking around Old town for an hour.  She even get some special treats. 

Imke...always using that nose!

Happy Imke enjoying some time with mom.

Imke went second and was definitely happy to be able to move at her own pace, sniffing and exploring, and posing for pictures for me.  She is such a superstar!  She made some friends and had a fantastic time.

Peaches enjoying a walk with mom.

Since Peaches is a bit nervous and unsure around other dogs when she's on-leash, I waited until later in the day and took her and the girls for a walk along the River Walk with our friend Emmalee.  It was great having an extra set of hands to help with the dogs and everyone had a great time exploring.
And don't worry, since Peaches didn't get her one on one time with me in Old Town, I was sure to take her on a walk on her own the next day.  I think she enjoyed it!

This weekend I spent a lot of time at sporting events for my niece Sidnee and nephew Mason and took the opportunity for Maddie to spend the afternoon with me at a softball tournament, which I think she enjoyed! It was a little chilly and windy, but she didn't seem to mind at all.  And don't worry, the other girls will get their chance to attend a sporting event or two as well.  I've got some busy nieces and nephews to keep up with!

 

Maddie rooting on the Indians

We'll be sharing more of our adventures as we get out and see the world.  With the Spring weather just continuing to get better and Summer approaching, we'll be getting out and about a lot more and have lots of fun to share, I'm sure.  Now we're off to get in a hike somewhere in Michigan's great outdoors!

Planning, Planning, Planning!

Have you ever planned a road trip?  This week, thanks to Facebook and all of its daily reminders of what I was doing over the last several years, I have had lots of reminders about some really awesome road trips I have taken with the girls.  For the better part of the last 9 years, I have had a regular mid-April vacation with them.  I plan these trips to be post-Spring break and pre-school being out in order to avoid the crowds and to get the best deals on hotels and fun attractions.  Also, in general, for most of the country, mid-April is near perfect weather for traveling with dogs.  It's not too hot or too cold and the chance of getting snow is usually pretty low (although not non-existent).   And for much of the country, this is also the time to see all of the beauty Spring has to offer.  I love the newly budding trees and blooming flowers. 

But this year is different.  This year, there will be no mid-April trip with the girls.  This year we are planning something much bigger!

As some of you may know, this year I am planning an epic road trip.  The road trip to top all others and the longest one I have made yet.  We will be hitting the road this July for State Capitol number 49 for us, Juneau Alaska!

Alaska is a world away and I would never have imagined when we started our travels to all of the other State Capitols, that I would have gotten to the point where this trip would ever be possible.  But last year, as I realized that we were nearing the end, that we were going to finish the Lower 48, I also realized that maybe we could do it and that I really wanted to do it! After all, the girls are still in pretty good health and are really good travelers.  The initial thought was to take one last epic road trip with just Imke...after all, she started it all with me and we should do this together!  But even though Maddie hasn't been to all of the Capitols, she's been to all 48 States, so why shouldn't she make it to one more?  

And then I looked that the map...the 60 hour trip, the days of travel just to get there and wondered if it was really possible.  I looked at flying and considered that as an option, but with old girls, flying becomes more dangerous and I couldn't stop thinking about all of the things we would miss along the way.-the sites, the people, the Canadian Rockies.  But could I really do it?  Could I make this trip?  Would I have enough time?  And I realized that I really could do it.  I'm lucky enough to work for an amazing company that gives me plenty of vacation time and I work with amazing people who are so supportive in my desire to reach this goal.  So it was settled!  It was going to happen.

So this April, I will make memories at home.  There will be no road trips, no new places to see.  Instead, there will be planning, lots and lots of planning, for the amazing summer trip to come.  

I have to admit that big or small, a good road trip always makes me happy.  And the reminders of all of the things we've done on or previous trips makes me smile.  But a large part of the fun for me is in the planning.  The research and my nerdy excel spreadsheet itinerary so we can stay on track every day and see as much as we can possibly cram into 24 hours.  And when you are traveling with dogs, this planning is even more crucial.  You have to know the places that can and cannot go, the rules and regulations of all of the dog-friendly locations, the best dog-friendly places to stay.  It takes some serious effort to make sure the trip is a successful and enjoyable one for all of us.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  

So for the next few weeks, I'll continue to be immersed in all that I need to know to travel across Canada and back for our week in Juneau.  I can't imagine a better way to spend this April and I can't wait to share our epic journey with you. We'll have some other exciting announcements along the way and of course we'll still get out on smaller Michigan based adventures, but the focus this year is all about Alaska.   Are you ready?  July will be here soon!  

The April Ice Storm

It's been awhile since I sat down to write; life has been a whirlwind of stuff and I just haven't taken the time to do it.  But today, as the freezing rain and sleet fall and cover everything with ice in mid-April, I have nothing better to do than sit down and share a bit of what's been happening in our world. 

Although I wasn't looking forward to the potential power outages or other damage that could occur because of this storm, to be honest, I was a bit excited about it because it was going to offer me the opportunity to sit back and relax for the weekend and not feel guilty for not finding 1000 ways to keep us all busy.   The opportunity to stay home with no commitments on a weekend is a rare occurrence at my house and I cherish the times when the chance comes along.

Friday's are always filled with errands and to-dos, things I have put off throughout the week. Most weekends, they are followed by a Saturday which includes volunteer time in the morning, a stop at the grocery store on the way home, and then laundry, yard clean-up, and keeping dogs entertained.  Many of them include a dog-friendly mini-adventure, like a trip to the park, or pet store, or both.  They also include special projects-things that seem to only be able to be completed on a Saturday.  And even when it doesn't seem like I have a lot to do, they fly by and, before you know it, it's Saturday night. 

Sunday's are the one day of the week that I can sleep in and have a lazy morning, if the dogs allow it.  But after a peaceful, quiet start to the day, it's time to clean the house and complete other necessary chores.  I reserve Sunday afternoon for a fun adventure with the dogs, generally a short trip to get in some miles on the North Country Trail or participate in some other dog-friendly sort of event.  And then, the weekend it over in a flash. 

I determined early on Friday that this weekend was going to be different.  I have been waiting for months for the perfect Winter Storm weekend.  These are weekends that force you to stay home, stay inside snuggled up with a warm blanket and a warm dog or two(or three), and forget about your commitments to the outside world.  This weekend was going to be my chance, finally! Probably the last chance before the long-awaited sunshine and warmer temperatures of Spring...which, by the way, I hope arrive by next weekend (I have Spring yard work to do!)

So based on the impending storm, we made the decision to cancel our Saturday morning dog walk with the shelter dogs and the dream of my storm induced lazy weekend at home was becoming a reality.

Since the Friday weather was still good, it was important to get the girls out for a long walk and some other activities so that they wouldn't be raving lunatics with too much pent-up energy by Saturday afternoon.  After a nice walk, I loaded the girls up in the Jeep and we were off to get some things done and to give them some additional fun and mental stimulation.  I made several stops-Walgreen's for paper towel and some other necessities, then on to Kroger, and a couple of other stops, and finally a stop at Soldan's Pet Store. 

One-by-one I took each of the girls on their trip through the store.  They walked around sniffing and exploring and getting love and attention from the employees.  They love these trips.  Each one includes a little one-on-one time with me, some training, and a special treat at the end. 

By now it was nearly 8pm and I still hadn't eaten dinner, so I picked up a quick soup and sandwich combo at Tim Horton's and headed home.  We were prepared and ready to settle in for the weekend.

Saturday morning started with cleaning, laundry, and other chores because I needed to get them done in order to relax.  It was raining, but no dangerous weather yet, so after I finished cleaning, I made a quick run to pick up a couple of last minute items I had forgotten,  The girls were happy to get out for a ride and once we were home, we were all ready to settle in for the storm and my much anticipated Jeopardy marathon (thanks to weeks worth of Jeopardy on the DVR). 

Although the storm didn't produce all of the ice and dangerous conditions that were predicted, I am so thankful that I got my weekend at home.  Sometimes just staying at home on the couch for a do-nothing weekend is just what you need.  Thanks to Mother Nature for the break!  I'm now relaxed and ready for all of the adventures that Spring and her warmer temperatures with bring.

I hope she knows

It's March.  A month of new beginnings, a month of rebirth, a month of awakenings.  Spring is in the air and, with it's approach, I can't help but feel re-energized and re-awakened by the possibilities that it brings with it.  This month is a very special month; a very special time of year for me.  I tend to get a reflective as it approaches.  The entire month always takes me back to a moment in time, a moment many, many years ago.  It takes me back to a place and time in life when things were so different.  It has so much significance to me and the events that unfolded throughout that month so many years ago have helped to shape me and make me the person I am today- a person I couldn't have imagined all of those years ago.

In March of 1989 I was 18 years old, just about to start the Spring term of my Freshman year of college, and 9 months pregnant.  It's been 29 years now.  In some ways it seems like a whole lifetime ago and yet, in others, it seems like just yesterday.

If I think back to that young woman, she was really still just a kid, I don't even know if I would recognize her anymore.  So naive, so truly clueless about life and the world around her.  Wide-eyed and hopeful, but also scared and unsure.  And she believed in herself and the good in the world. 

I think about this time and know that 29 years have past.  29 years!  I had my whole life ahead of me then.  A life I had dreamed about and had planned, but that plan was about to be changed forever.

I have lived a lifetime since then.  A wonderful, amazing, fully unexpected lifetime.  I had no idea then that I would end up here today, where I am in my life.  It's a life that I couldn't have imagined and yet, it is a life that I can't imagine any other way now.  It really has ended up much better than I ever could have thought it would.

I think back to that month of March, 1989 fondly.  When it started, I had no idea that before it ended my life would be completely flipped upside down.  I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was about to bring a new life into the world.  I just wanted to get through Winter term finals and go home for Spring Break.  I came back for the Spring Term, still no real grasp on the fact that before it was through, I would have a baby.  And then it happened, the first night back in town.  The 2 AM the night before Spring Term classes would start.  I went into Labor.

By the morning(as I was missing my first class of the term), I would become a mom.  From the first moment I laid eyes on her, I knew that I could never, ever love anyone else more.  My life was forever changed and forever made better. And all of my hopes and dreams became all about her.   It was a perfectly beautiful moment in time, a moment that will always be mine and mine alone, a moment that will always be the most special moment of my life.

I can't imagine my life any other way.  In my heart and soul, to my core, I am Nicol's mom.  It IS who I AM.  I have my own life, my own things, my own hopes and dreams, but really, even though she is grown and out living her own life, my whole life still belongs to her.  I would give up everything for her, do anything for her.  She is my world.  She has made me the person I am today and I can't even put into words just how much that means to me...how much she means to me.  And I love her more every single day.

I hope she knows just how special she is and just how much she is loved.  I hope she knows that my life just wouldn't be the same without her.  I hope she knows...

Out for a hike

This weekend's adventures took us a bit Southwest to the small town of Augusta, Michigan.  This is just one of the many small towns across Michigan that are home to a portion of the North Country Trail.  For the third year in a a row, the girls and I are planning to complete the Hike 100 challenge on the trail.  We have learned so much about this beautiful state we live in and about ourselves during our time on the trail and it's a great way to get out to explore nature any day of the week. Plus it's so much better than going to the gym!  So after a relaxing Saturday morning, we were off to explore.

It was a beautiful sunny 55 mile drive through the backroads of Michigan's countryside to get to our destination. With a little sunshine and a cool late winter's breeze in the air, we reached the trailhead parking lot, got the girls harnessed and me bundled up and we were off to explore this new area. 

What I love about the North Country Trail, especially the section of trail that is closest to home, is that you never know what to expect.  This trail is full of sections of farmland, fields, and forests.  There are also sections through small towns, like Lowell, Albion, and Marshall, and through small cities, like Battle Creek.  There are portions that are road hikes, some on sidewalks through neighborhoods, some that are paved or boardwalks.  There are flatlands and hills and places which are a good mixture of both.  There really is something for everyone!  And we have taken advantage of them all. 

This portion of the trail started along the edge of an empty cornfield.  And the girls loved it; their noses were to the ground taking in all of the smells. This trail was a Shorthair's dream trail with fields and fence rows to sniff.  It became very clear to me during this hike that Peaches was used as a hunter because she was in and out of the brush, sniffing and weaving, searching for the elusive scent of some upland game bird.  She even went on point a couple of times and it took everything in my power to pull her off, but boy was she happy!

After about 3/4 of a mile along the field, we reached the woods.  This is where Imke is always happiest.  Searching around trees, old rotting tree stumps, and fallen trees, she is always on the search for some small, furry four-legged critter.  Many times she has chased chipmunks, mice and ground squirrels out of these exact places and when she finds a scent her first instinct is to start to dig.  No critters were found today, but the real fun is in the hunt, so she was a happy old girl.

I think because it was such a nice day, we ran into many other people along the trail this day.  That's actually pretty unusual for us, but it is nice seeing other people out taking advantage of the great weather and the beautiful trail system.   Early in the hike, Peaches would lunge forward, paws high in the air, to greet our fellow hikers.  She is very people oriented, she just thinks people are awesome and she wants to say hello to them all!  It's a blessing in a way to have her with us because for some reason, people are drawn to my girls...I think people are just drawn to dogs in general, but literally anywhere we go, I get asked if someone can pet my dogs or take pictures of them.  And anyone who has met Maddie and Imke will tell you that for the most part, when we are out and about, they are much more interested in their surroundings and really don't like to be bothered by attention from any human being.  They are in constant motion, always ready to move on and keep sniffing. Unless, of course, there are treats!  However, over the years, through all of our travels and with their slowing down as the get older, they have gotten better about standing nicely while random strangers give them some love.  I even think Maddie has started to enjoy it.  But for Peaches, she craves the attention and can't get enough!

After a short hike through the woods, less than a 1/4 mile of road hike, and a small section of the trail which runs through private property, we reached the Kellogg Forest.  This section of the forest, part of the MSU Extension system, had wide trails and some informational signs regarding all of the different trees planted in each section.  As we neared the W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest Center, we started to see even more people.  As luck would have it, we were hiking on the day that they were holding their Maple Syrup Open House.  As we reached a turn in the trail, we saw a crowd of people who, we would later learn, were waiting for a wagon ride tour of the sugar bush.  There were families with young children all around and Peaches was in heaven.  There were rounds of "You've got your hands full", "What kind of dogs are those", many "Are those Springer Spaniels", and of course, our favorites, "Are they friendly" or "Can we pet your dogs".  So we settled in to accept all of the attention that everyone wanted to give as we walked past this crowd of people.  Maddie waiting patiently for each child to snuggle into her soft fur, Peaches pushing forward to give kisses to anyone who would accept them and even a few who were unwilling victims, and Imke standing patiently by my side as everyone asked about "the old one" or gently patted her on the head and called her a sweet old girl.  

We finally made it through the crowds and I thought it would be great to get a picture of the girls with this cute little bridge over Augusta Creek.  As you can see, the girls thought otherwise.

As we headed further down the trail, it began to follow the gravel road of the parking lot and I looked down at the time and distance we had traveled and decided it was time to turn around and head back to the car.  

On the way back, there was a nice spot along the trail to allow the girls to stop and get a drink and explore the creek a bit.  This was by far Maddie's favorite part of the day.  She loves small creeks, streams, and rivers and would wade around in them all day.  

As we headed back through the woods, I couldn't resist stopping at this bench along the trail to try to get a cute picture of the girls all together, but getting them all to cooperate-well I've learned to go with what I can get!

As we reached the field again, the sun returned. It felt so warm shining down on us and I was so grateful to have gotten to spend this time with these girls. When we reached the parking lot, we had hiked 5.5 miles which was short of my goal of 6 miles, but I was happy with our accomplishment.  

We all piled into the Jeep to head home and I was sure soon I would hear the peaceful sounds of snoring shorthairs.  But on this day, Peaches and Imke were still ready for another adventure.  So I decided to make one more quick stop for a hike through Historic Bridges Park just outside of Battle Creek.  

As we started on the trail, I knew this would not be a long hike, but I was glad we made the stop. With Peaches out ahead, Imke right beside me and Maddie trailing along behind, we made a quick loop and added another 1.8 miles for a total of 7.3 for the day.  We exceeded our goal for the day and this time all three girls were happily snoring away in the back of the Jeep before we were out of the parking lot.  A very successful day on the trail for three happy girls and their mom.

Small town Girls visit the big "D"

As we slowly check things off Peaches' bucket list, new things are quickly being added to make sure she really doesn't miss out on any possible adventure in the time she has left.  An added advantage to checking things off and adding things to her bucket list is that the girls and I are being given the opportunity to revisit some of our favorite people, places, and things as well as to add new adventures to our life experiences.

One item(or actually four separate items) is for Peaches to visit beaches of all 4 of the Great Lakes in Michigan.  This is a feat not even I, as a life-long resident of our Great Lakes State, have accomplished.  We have crossed one of those Lakes, Lake Huron, off of her list with our trip to Mackinaw City a few weeks ago and I'm sure she'll get a chance to see it again in a non-frozen state when we make our next trip North.  I also already know where she will visit Lake Michigan and Lake Superior- both in more than one location since the girls and I have many favorite beaches on both of those Lakes.  But Lake Erie in Michigan, that's a goal none of us have yet accomplished, and with that goal in mind, I began to do some research late last week to plan our weekend bucket-list adventures.

After much research, what I have found is that my options for taking the dogs to Lake Erie in Michigan are pretty limited, but thankfully, though limited, not impossible. The one State park that has Lake Erie access doesn't allow dogs on the beaches or in the water and the Metropark which allows dogs does not allow swimming in the lake and dogs aren't allowed on the trails. Both a bust. Finally I found one small little lake access area that is dog-friendly and looks to be the place we'll finally all reach our goal of visiting Lake Erie in Michigan, but it doesn't appear to be somewhere that will make for a full day's adventure.  So I decided to delay that trip until later in the Spring and find some other things that we can do in conjunction with that beach day. 

Belle Isle

During all of that Lake Erie research, one place kept popping up on the map, and so it was decided.  We were going to head Southeast to the big city of Detroit and visit Belle Isle.  With lots of paved areas for walking as well as a dog-friendly nature trail, it seemed ideal.  Plus, after a good hike with the girls, I could make a visit to the Aquarium while they rested up for the next adventure.  I had never visited Belle Isle and was excited for our adventure.  While preparing to leave for the day, I decided to text Nicol to see if she would be available and interested in joining us on our trip-I know she can't resist a trip to an aquarium!  It was quickly settled, she'd be joining us for the day and I was excited for the trip!

Just a bird dog and a bird

After a quick stop to meet Nicol in Novi, we were off on our Saturday adventure.  We arrived at Belle Isle, and with Nicol acting as our navigator, we made it to the parking lot near the nature trail and lighthouse.  Of course, as is always the case with three GSPs, there was much excitement as we all climbed out of the Jeep in this new and interesting area.  And there was even more excitement as we passed Blue Heron Lagoon and all of it's swans, geese, and ducks. 

Blue Heron Lagoon 

With the Lagoon on one side of the trail and the Detroit River on the other, it quickly became clear to me that I was under-prepared for this adventure.  Due to the recent snow melt, rain, and high water, the paths were mud-covered, and in some locations, under water.  This would normally not be an issue since I am generally prepared on any adventure with at least 2 pairs of boots, extra pants and socks, a towel for the dogs, and other adventure necessities.  But for some reason, on this day, I was not prepared at all, comfortably wearing my jeans and tennis shoes...after all, we were going to Detroit, not the UP, right?.  My daughter, on-the-other-hand, was fully prepared with water-proof hiking boots. 

The Detroit River and Canada

Boy did I feel like a fool!  How could I be so unprepared?  But we were there and I was determined to make the most of our day, so I powered through, following Nicol's advice on when to avoid an area and doing my best not to get pulled into the mud by two very happy shorthairs.  Maddie and Peaches were having a great time sniffing and exploring and paying no attention to the fact that I was attached to the other end of their leashes. 

Lucky for us we found some gravel covered portions of the path that were dry.  Although the path reached a dead-end and we had to return to the parking lot through mud and high-water.

After a nice 3 mile hike, it was back into the Jeep to see what else we could find.  We headed to the public beach for a view and quick picture of the Detroit skyline followed by a quick stop at the Carillon.  Then it was on to the Aquarium.

Detroit Skyline

Nancy Brown Peace Carillon

Aquarium and Conservatory

With the girls comfy and settled in for a nap in the Jeep, Nicol and I headed in to visit the aquarium and conservatory.    The aquarium is small, but I still found it worth a stop. We learned some new things and enjoyed our time watching the fish, starfish, rays, eels, reptiles and amphibians.

Coral

Fresh Water Sting Ray

Then we headed outside to walk over to the Conservatory to explore the plants. I know Nicol was happy to see the palm trees.  It was definitely interesting to see all of the different tropical trees and flowers.  I especially enjoyed the corpse flower, which I had heard of, but had never seen before. 

Bananas

Interesting Bark on this one

Corpse Flower

After seeing all there was to see in the Conservatory, we headed back to the Jeep for one more stop with the girls near sunset point.  I wanted to be sure to get a picture of them with the Detroit skyline in the background.  But as is the norm with my crazy girls, the perfect picture was not meant to be...thanks to the geese floating by on the River and all of the other distractions.  But, hey, we gave it a try! 

It was now time for our Belle Isle adventure to end, but after all of the excitement at Sunset Point, the girls were anxious for one more chance to explore somewhere new.  So as we headed out of Detroit, we made one more stop at the William G Milliken State Park.

Peaches checking out the Lighthouse

Maddie and Peaches doing a little rock climbing

Imke exploring with Nicol

The Marina

I wanted to give the girls one last chance to stretch their legs and explore before we headed home.  I knew with this one last stop, they would settle in nicely for the drive.  We made a quick walk around the park stopping in a few spots to enjoy the beauty of the day and then, with this one last adventure complete, we headed back to the Jeep to head home from our fun-filled day.  I am so glad I got to spend such a great day with all of my girls and can't wait until our next adventure!

Time to head home