Last Sunday, Ella and I spent some alone time together in nature.  We live so close to Maybury State Park, and have not spent nearly enough time there since she’s been born.

My friend John Colver was in town (riding his bike from Seattle to get here for the Five healthy towns party in Chelsea) a couple weeks ago.  I was fortunate to spend some time with him before he continued East, so I had the chance to see the area we live in through his eyes, which reinvigorated my enthusiasm for this beautiful state of Michigan!

Inspired by the beautiful weather, Ella and I headed for Maybury.  She is serious about her hiking.  She’s training to climb a mountain, since she overheard me asking Peter if he’d like to climb again with me.

We did a 4 mile hike in just under 2 hours. It was so lovely to spend time together, talking, breathing, answering her questions and rescuing wildlife:

staying hydrated:

and loving on each other:

It was the best bonding experience she and I have had in a long time.  We felt so much closer after time together outside, being “in the moment” and making plans for further adventures.