Cub Scouts Howell Nature Center and Botanical Gardens

The Cub Scouts have been super busy now that it's spring and the weather is...kind of improving.  I planned a den meeting at the Howell Nature Center for Sean's den.  Unfortunately, it was pretty cold out still and I was getting over being sick, but the kids seemed to have a great time!

They started by playing a fun game inside with two leaders from the nature center that helped them understand the food chain.  Then, we went on a nature hike outside looking at the animals they had in cages that were rehabilitating and trying to find wildlife on our own.  We were lucky and spotted a bald eagle flying over one of the ponds!

We made our way back to the lodge to have our bagged lunches we all brought.  We brought cookies to share with all the kids and their families.  Then it was time for the boys' favorite part - the zip lining and climbing tower!  

Each kid got to zipline twice and the adults got to go once (those that wanted to).  It was so much fun!  

The climbing tower was the 2nd highest climbing wall in Michigan.  It was 60 feet tall.  My boys went last and just happened to go at the same time.  They both made it all the way to the top!  There was only one other scout who did the same.  I was really impressed!

I'd say everyone had a good time and enjoyed the fresh air!

The following weekend we had the entire pack meet at the Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor to do a hike and learn about the plants and trees.  We had a really large group that split into 8 different tour groups.  Our tour guides were very...knowledgeable and ran quite a tight ship.  We started in the indoor portion to look at the plants and trees inside.  

Next our group went outside to do a nature hike and look at trees.  We saw a crane, some birds we were able to identify, a giant turtle swimming, and a goose who was quite mad at us for how close we got to his lady friend and their eggs.  Oops!

We ended by making terrariums inside that we got to take home.  It was a fun meeting and we had some great weather!

Easter 2022

 

Happy Easter, from the Ferstle family!

We had a pretty low-key Easter this year.  I was getting over being really sick and thankfully my mom volunteered to host at her house.  My in-laws were traveling so we didn't get together with Scott's side of the family.  

Saturday after attending an all-day Cub Scout den meeting I planned at the Howell Nature Center, we came home and dyed eggs.  I always feel like dying Easter eggs is one of the lamest holiday traditions.  But, Scott insisted we do it.  

Sunday morning the boys were up by 7am rushing us to get up so they could go find their baskets.  This was the first year in our house with non-bunny believers so they knew we hid their baskets.  Evan's basket was on the first floor with one item hidden in one of the windowsills behind the blinds.  Sean's was hidden in the basement with one item in the filing cabinet.  Baseball cards were the big hit this year!  

We ate a simple breakfast of bacon, scrambled eggs and cinnamon rolls and then got ready for mass at 11am.  

We headed over to my parents house early afternoon to have some snacks over there and then dinner.  My uncle Ron came by for dinner.  It was a nice afternoon spent with family.

Asheville Spring Break 2022 Part 3

Wednesday was another day full of fun hikes that thankfully was not impacted by any road closures or crazy switchback roads.  We ate breakfast near the house at Waffle House (the boys had never been to a Waffle House before).  Obviously the food was mediocre at best, but they enjoyed the big giant waffles.  There was an outlet mall right next door so we decided to go to the Under Armour and Nike outlets to stock up on clothes and shoes for the boys.  

Luna did a great job at the house by herself while we were out, but she was more than ready to head out on an adventure!  So, we packed some lunches and hit the road to Pisgah National Forest, which was about a 40 minute drive.  I was incredibly impressed with how well labeled the National Forest was compared to Blue Ridge Parkway.  We first stopped at Looking Glass Falls.  It was just a short set of stairs to go down and then if you wanted you could scramble on rocks to get out to the ground by the waterfall.  The kids had an absolute blast building rock towers and playing.  They didn't want to leave!

Shortly down the road was another waterfall with a hike to get to it, Moore Cove Falls.  It was a 1.5 mile hike out and back and it was beautiful!  Again, the kids loved getting down to the water, walking behind the waterfall (the backside of a waterfall, right?  Jungle Cruise reference anyone?), and playing with the rocks.  Thankfully the weather was warming up and none of us wanted to leave.

Our last stop was to check out Sliding Rock, but it was closed for the season.  Apparently in the summer people come here to slide down the rock and cool off.  People are charged an entry fee to do it and it gets very crowded.  We were still able to park on the road and get out to look at it.  Wish we were there when it was warm enough to try it!

As we exited Pisgah National Forest, we stopped at an area to have a picnic lunch and went down by the stream to play in the water more.  We saw people fly-fishing, which was fun to watch.  The boys checked out the Visitor's Center and picked out a small gift each.  As we exited the Forest, we saw an ice cream shop and decided to stop and get a treat.  Even Luna enjoyed some ice cream!

We went back to the house to freshen up and change.  We had dinner plans with Scott's family's friends, The Robinsons, who live in Asheville.  They chose a brewery we hadn't been to yet, Highland Brewing Company, that had a great outdoor area (the weather was amazing!), a food truck with yummy grilled cheese sandwiches, and live music.  We caught up with them for about an hour and a half.  Luna could come inside, which was nice!  They left and we moved outside to sit in the warm sun and we got some sandwiches from the food truck.  It was fun!

Then it was back to the house for more corn hole games and the hot tub!

Thursday, our last full day in Asheville, started off a little dreary.  It had rained overnight, but it was still mild!  We grabbed breakfast out at Taco Billy (highly recommend - it was so good!) and walked down the street to grab some donuts from Hole (also highly recommend!).  Luna was at the house again since she did so well the day before.  After breakfast we made a few stops at souvenir shops since we really hadn't seen very many of those types of stores.  We got a few things to bring home!

We stopped back at the house to change into our hiking boots and to grab some things and the dog.  Today, as our last day, was all about everyone getting to do one thing they wanted to do.  First up was a hike on the BRP for me!  We were still on the hunt for a bear sighting.  We picked a land-to-sea trail that was about 2 miles out and back.  It was so quiet and pretty, but no bear!  

Next up was the dog park again for Evan and Luna.  Evan wanted to play his make-shift baseball game at the dog park.  

Then it was Scott's turn to pick.  He chose the New Belgium Brewery where we got to sit outside and soak up the sun while having some beers.  He even bought a sign in the gift shop for his basement work room.

Sean got to pick last.  Unfortunately, he wanted to go to the pinball museum for all-you-can-play pinball, but we didn't have enough time and it wasn't dog friendly.  So, he got to pick our dinner spot which was Mellow Mushroom.  We've eaten at one of these in Gatlinburg last year, but this location was much better!  

Then it was back to the house to pack up, finish my puzzle, take one last dip in the hot tub, and watch a movie.  We had a great time in Asheville and I'd love to go back when it's the summer to see everything fully bloomed and green!