I was going to take you on a walk somewhere exotic.  Far from here.  Somewhere different.  I had maps out and was studying locations.  But then I discussed it with the dog.  Katie said she wanted to show you her little park.  And Katie, being a princess, is used to getting what she wants.  So come along while Katie and I show you the local park where you can often find us on a pretty weekend afternoon.

The park is not very big, but it has a lovely pond where you sometimes see people fishing.  Today we had it all to ourselves.  Katie likes to pose near the blue water.  If there are treats involved of course.  (You can click on the photos to see more detail.)

It was a pretty afternoon, getting late in the day, stretching our shadows as we made our way to the back of the park where they mow a path around the perimeter.

The sun also made the milkweed seeds glow as a stiff wind began to pull at the silky strands.

 

My favorite part of the park are these golden trees at the very back.  I always love the way they show against the sky, whether the sky is blue like today or stone grey as fall acquiesces to winter.

The mowed path is just about a mile and Katie and I work a little bit on her distracted recall.  It’s an important skill to have; she comes running even when distracted by good smells if I call her sharply.

She loves this game, because she knows the faster she gets to me the sooner she gets a bit of cheese.  This automatic reaction is necessary in an emergency and we work on it a little every time we’re in the park.

We keep wandering, and pass another pond, filled with wildlife.  I saw two kingfishers chase each other from the top of a tree near us off across the pond.  No photo of that, but it was fun to see and hear.  Across this pond, filled with ducks and other waterbirds you can see the township offices including the library.

I feel lucky we have such a wonderful natural place surrounding our library.  You can sit inside and read while enjoying the lovely views through big windows.  It’s one of my favorite places.

We’re lucky to have a place where we can walk among wetlands and towering trees in all seasons, in all sorts of weather.

Every time we’re there we find something beautiful.  Just look at the trees shine across the big field of tall grass.

Up in the front of the park are four softball diamonds.  Katie likes to walk around them too.

You never know when someone might have dropped something good there.  Always looking, that’s my girl.

Thanks for coming along on our Walktober!  And thanks to Robin too who coordinates the posts from all of our walks.  Katie and I wouldn’t have gotten out today without her motivation.   And we had such a good time!

We hope you did too!