The Outdoors with Grandkids

I was an outdoors girl my entire childhood. Some of my most cherished memories are from play time in the outdoors; sand box creations, climbing trees, riding my bike, playing tag with my siblings, and exploring the old barn on our homestead.

When I became a mother, I continued to be an active outdoors mom, just a little differently; they climbed trees, I taught them how to ride a bike, throw and kick a ball, downhill ski, swim, and enjoyed supporting them in various sports throughout their childhood.

When we were a young family, my sons were all avid athletes, and participated in numerous sports; basketball, baseball, soccer, track, football, and wrestling. With four sons, we were busy with each of their individual sports, and that took up all our time. No regrets, well, maybe.

I look back now, my sons now 40, 32, 30 ( my oldest son would have been 42 this year), and wish I would have made the time to be in nature more. I mean, really in nature.

But, I am happy to say, all of them loved the outdoors and nature after they were out of school, and sports were now a pasttime. They now have children of their own, which they spend much time in nature with their children.

And, as a grandma, I now have the opportunity, and wisdom, to make it a priority with my grandchildren. What a blessing!

My oldest grandchild is 19 and my youngest is 3, and I have 11, I am only priveleged to have 6 of them in my life, so I do my best to make the most of those 6. I have loved every moment of teaching them the great outdoors, and nature, sharing my enthusiasm and wisdom.

It's so rewarding watching granddaughters running through the field, climbing trees (their size), and getting dirty digging in the dirt looking for bugs and worms.

What really brings me joy, is sharing time in the outdoors with my teenaged granddaughters. Talking, catching up, and watching them being present in nature; quiet, no screens, no distractions, which is so important for them, and I am so thankful they make the time to spend it with me. As we older parents know, time is so fleeting.

So when my granddaughter Ellie said she had time to hike with me, I wanted to take her somewhere she hadn't been before, and also a new trail for me, bonus!

So road trip adventure day:

Off we went to Otter Lake Loop trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. I ahve hiked this trail once before, years ago, and recalled it was easy, and interesting. It's about a 5 mile loop. After this hike, we drove a mile or two down M-22 to another trail head; Trails End, to hike a new to me trail, and explore to find a campground I learned about watching a youtuen creators content about it. This trailhead had a coupel options; Bass Lake Loop, a 3.5 miler, and Lasso Loop, which I believe was 6 ish miles. I chose Bass Lake as it would take us to the spur trail to the White Pine Backcountry Camp, and on the shores of Lake Michigan. What a wonderful trail this was! Climbs, twisty and stands of pines, my favorite.

Here is the video I made from our day. I hope you enjoy it!

Great memories made.