Adventures: Oxbow Park

Lately, any time Ann and I go out anywhere, I call it an "adventure"...even if that "adventure" is just going to Target or the grocery store.  When we don't have any errands to run, I do try to have us go out somewhere a little more fun.  In the last two weeks, we've ended up going to both Oxbow Park and Quarry Hill twice (I guess I still need to work on broadening our horizons in terms of our adventures...).

Since it would be way too many pictures to put all in one post, I've split it into two.

Day 1:

When I think of Oxbow, I usually think of the little zoo that they have, but on this day, Ann and I decided to head out on the Audubon Trail instead.  (There are various hiking trails as well as camp sites there too)

It was a beautiful (albeit hot) day

I took our smaller camera with me, instead of the big DSLR.  It is easier to carry around and it makes for easier self-portrait shots :)

I actually really like taking macro shots with our little camera (it's quite good for that kind of thing), but I could tell I'm a little rusty (plus I didn't have my extra "gear" that I usually use too)

It's Minnesota, so of course the trail goes past a corn field...

Ann getting a drink while we hung out by the corn.  It was pretty hot, buggy, and muggy, so by this point we decided to head back.

Someone was a little tired

After Ann woke up, she did not like the idea of getting into her car seat immediately, so we walked around a little bit before heading home.  For the first while, all Ann wanted to do was play with her stroller.

Ooo, cool buckles!

Okay, I'll play in the grass too....

...And by playing in the grass, I mean eat the grass

She gives such good hugs :)

Day 2:

So a week or so later we were back at Oxbow, this time to see the animals :)

Umm, hi Mom.

Why, hello bear who has been conveniently pacing along the front of his cage

Getting acquainted with her future college mascot!  Go Cougars!!  (Unfortunately the cougar was lounging in the back of his cage in the shade, so it made it hard to get a picture of Ann with him, so we opted for a picture with the sign on the cage instead)

"A cow says moo..."

Watching the chickens

Another picture with Mommy

I've had people comment about Ann always seems to be happy and smiling.  In case you were wondering if she ever fussed and cried, here's proof ("Mom!  No more pictures!  I'm hot and tired!!")

We tried to walk along a little trail before getting back in the car so Ann could stretch her legs, and all she wanted to do again was just play with the stroller (or have me hold her).

Despite the heat, humidity and bugs, the trips were fun.  We'll have to go back to the zoo when Tom can come with us.