Labor Day in the Bramble

 What a marvelous Labor Day weekend we had!  Beautiful weather!  Fun with friends and family!  Time to play and also to relax!  Zero work done around the house...superb!  One of our Labor Day activities was a beautiful hike at a local conservation area.  It was out in the boonies, so we took in a little bit o' hillbilly on the way...sweet-looking watering can made of a 55-gallon drum, and in front of a vintage trailer, of course.  So awesome.

 Our family loves a good hike.  The one we took this weekend was good, indeed, and it was in an area that makes us feel like we're in another state, as the terrain there is a bit out of the norm.  This hike requires some stamina and courage from the youth in our group, and it is well worth their efforts.  Here are Bennett and Ainsley, clinging to each other as they watch Dad go down a steep incline, to see if it is safe enough for them. 

 For the life of me, I cannot figure out why some of these are posting sideways!  Anyway, here is Dad on his return up the hill, trying to convince us girls that we could handle it.  He said, "Well, it's very steep.  You would need a rope...and it would be so fun!"  Dads out there, if you are planning to take your little kids on a hill that requires a rope to get you up and down safely, YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE YOUR KIDS ON THAT HILL!  Ainsley's hands-on-hips stance in the photo is appropriate in response to his comment.

 Crossing a creek via downed log...adventure!

 And here is the out-of-state looking part of the hike.  The photo simply does not do this place one bit of justice!  The rock cliffs are beautiful and towering.  What an amazing place to see in our ordinary "neck of the woods!"

 I have my head tilted 90 degrees to the right as I type....Here are the girls, climbing alond the steep rock ledge.

 Ainsley, carving her name in the rock.

 Bennett, carving her name and also some ancient hieroglyphics, of course. 

 Dad attempted to take some pictures of the girls with me.  He (I love you, dear) is typically a terrible photographer.  He really did a pretty good job this time around.  We are centered and not blurry, and none of our limbs or heads are cut off.  (This is some of your best work, my love!)

 Taking a little water break...

 One more shot, taken by Dad...

Toward the end of the hike, the girls stopped to decocklebur themselves.  You've got to love the pokes and prickles of a trek through the bramble.  I love the word "bramble."  It's just a good word.  Fun to say.  Anyway, it was a great time out in the bramble.  Hopefully, these beautiful fall days will continue so we can get out there again!