Gordon and I went to Lake Higgins on a beautiful afternoon last week.
Although the geese are a nuisance and make the lakes and parks so filthy, there is no doubt the babies are cute!
This duck was
persistent. He followed us from our car, down a trail to the picnic areas in the hopes of getting a crumb or two.
But first, Gordon, enjoying his favorite
past time this spring.
But the duck was patient.
So we finally shared a cracker...
I'm not sure who was happier.
After our little "picnic" we headed back to the car. There was a trail starting right next to the parking lot. It said it was .3 miles...very easy for a child. I thought sure, lets go. Well I didn't look closely at the sign which warned hikers that the path of this trail crosses with the Bald Eagle Trail...which is 4.5 miles. I wouldn't have minded 4.5 miles, as out of shape as I am, that is definitely still doable, but with my little guy along and no drinks, and it was fairly warm, I wouldn't have attempted it...but unfortunately I crossed from the short loop into the long trail. After about a mile and a half, I realized my error...but without a map wasn't sure how far we were...so I turned us around and we made it back to the car. Gordon calls it our little adventure. It wasn't bad, he did much better than I would have thought - with there and back being about 3 miles. Thankfully with the frequent realtor calls to show the house - and for us to scram - I've been keeping drinks and snacks in a cooler in the car, so he was a happy hiker once we got to the car. We should do it more often...when I'm better prepared!
The animals knew what to do...and thankfully no one got hurt, although I got pecked a few times in the arm by a hungry ostrich who didn't believe me when I told him my bucket of food was gone.
Gordon and I were on the other side of the wagon...we were surrounded by the animals.
What a menagerie of critters
A cute widdle baby zebra...awww. 
A little bit older zebra.
This is FUN! Where are the deer? Will there be lions? Will they eat the deer? 
Water buffalo, he came right up to me and opened his mouth for me to pour in handfuls of food...I was too stunned to snap a picture of that. He was surprisingly charming.
They were ganging up on me
My very favorite critters (the giraffes!)
Gordon got up close and personal. 
This is the ostrich that wouldn't believe me when I told him I was out of food. He pecked my upper arm just to get my attention...it did. 
He finally left me alone so I could get some more giraffe pictures. What amazing creatures!
Majestic!
Gentle. Soft. Funny looking. A fine example of God's sense of humor.
On to the rhino!
I'd like you to meet Luther. 5,000 lbs. 
I don't know this beauty's name, but she had personality!
And was totally lacking in manners.
Oh my. You too? 
What a trio. 
These guys kept to themselves. 
Yikes. 
Synchronized grazing. 
And after the safari Gordon and I went to Grandma & Papa's house. We spotted more wildlife. 
Can you see them down there?
No? Let me zoom in...there were at least two, they live inside those railroad ties under the porch.
Yikes! But they keep poisonous snakes away, and other pests. As long as they stay way down there!
Thought not. Oh darn...well that's about all I have to share pictures of...my sister and her dog arrived mid February.
It was the first snow he'd seen, and the first she'd driven in, ever. 
My sister continued on to Virginia where she started her new job and is trying to find a place to live. We are hosting Chip. 
I think he'll be ready to go back to Debbie, the poor thing gets quite worn out from romping around with Gordon all day. 
Gordon sometimes gets carried away in his excitement and hugs him a little hard, but Chip is very forgiving and never seems to mind the roughness.
The house is almost ready to go on the market. Just 10 days or so away I think. Painters come to finish the painting I finally gave up on tackling myself. I've almost finished the bathroom - resurfacing the walls and painting it again, and the trim, and the ceiling. It is the never ending project. I'm overwhelmed, and tired, and as much as I don't really want to move from this town, I'll be happy to get the move over and get on with life, wherever that takes us.