Every spring, our friend Jack hosts a “wildflower weekend.” A group of friends gather and enjoy a long hike on Saturday in the woods and fields near Jack’s home along the Wisconsin River. Although I figured that the kids and I wouldn’t be joining in on a long hike, I thought it would be fun to be out at Jack’s and to join in the festivities. Bryan was kayaking with friends on the Kickapoo River for the weekend, so on Friday night, the kids and I drove to Jack’s (near Wyalusing State Park). On the way there, Andrew memorized the names of all the towns between Madison and Woodman.
The group composition changed over the course of the weekend, but there were an average of about 15 people. Here they are setting up lunches for everyone to pack.
This is one of my favorite new photos of Sylvia. She’s wearing my swimsuit top. Goofy grape:)
Here’s Robin and Trent hanging out pre-hike.
Andrew’s kiss. Much sweeter than a dementor.
Adorable girl!
Hikers getting ready to depart.
I had wanted to start the hike with everyone and to only go a couple miles. Andrew wanted to “stay inside all day.” I think this face he’s making is his victory face. We were not leaving to go on the hike. HaHA!
I told the kids that I would shrivel up if we stayed inside on such a beautiful day. So they (clad only in Andrew’s briefs) agreed to run around out-of-doors for a while.
Undies on the hill overlooking the Wisconsin River.
Jack was able to burn the prairie earlier in the week. It’s so cool to see it all freshly charred.
Here’s an oriole in the tree in front of Jack’s house. What a beautiful sight!
Here’s a sweet plaque in honor of Jack’s mom. Such a lovely sentiment.
Jack has done an amazing amount of restoration work on his land. Here’s a new sign he has on his driveway.
Andrew kindly put together pine cones and pine boughs and dandelions as place decorations for the returning hikers. He was so excited about how happy they would be to see their pretty place settings!
After the hikers returned, some of us went on a walk up onto Jack’s property to check on his bluebird houses.
Andrew stayed home and covertly ate candy bars while Sylvie and I explored the freshly burned prairie and oak savannah.
Pretty! A bird’s foot violet!
One house had two precious eggs.
We enjoyed supper up on the hill and then waited for sunset. The kids and I exited since these days sunset is bedtime!
What a friendly, joyful group.
I love this picture of Sylvie walking up the hill. Somehow the scale of her next to the tree and the hill just makes me love her that much more.
Here’s looking out the bedroom window at the sunset-watchers. It took the kids almost an hour to go to sleep!
Sunset over the river.
Day is done.
