Family Staycation 2020 Day 2

Since we weren't going to be able to hike any trails at Yellowstone or Grand Teton, we opted for a hike at an area close to home. We got up fairly early on day 2 and headed to Chalk Ridge Falls in Belton. I figured a place that had water and gave the kids a chance to cool off would be a good choice. It was more crowded than we would have liked; but, everyone in this area is going stir crazy from staying at home during the shelter in place phase of COVID. Now that public and state parks are opening up, people are venturing out. We had the trail to ourselves most of the day, and there was only one family actually in the swimming hole at the foot of the falls. We left the area around 10:30 a.m. so we beat the heat and most of the crowds. It really is a nice area to hike and I think everyone had a good time. 

Social distancing was easy at the park. People are still discouraged from gathering in large groups so I tried to keep space in our own family. It wasn't easy; but, we did a pretty good job of it. 

The trails aren't as well tended as I believe they normally are. There were a lot of low hanging branches and pretty large patches of poison Ivy. But, it was still easy to find the trail to the falls. I'm sure the lack of care is attributed to the virus as well.

The girls seem to have a great time anytime they get together. They really got along well.

I tired to get the girls to act like a choo-choo train. That didn't quite work out. 

The falls are really pretty and the water is fairly clear. It was slightly appalling how many lost and forgotten socks we found along the banks!

The suspension bridge was a little freaky. Really, really bouncy! 

Only the girls actually got into the water. They said it wasn't very cold, so that was a plus. 

Maggie, Sophie, Samantha, and Sophia

 I had to get some couples pictures while we were out. Ron isn't up to any kind of hiking, so he stayed behind and kept the dogs company. 

Jamie and Ryan

Molly and Scott

Leslie and Gerson

   

The ladies...

I even got into one picture!

We made a couple of stops on the way home, Dunkin' Doughnuts, Dollar Tree, and Sonic, for pool toys and refreshments. Once we got home, Molly decided she would fold me up into the seat of Leslie's car. I guess she was getting back at me for something. 

 After lunch, the girls had a few activities that their mother's had planned. They made some cute diamond art key chains and completed a Yellowstone animal scavenger hunt. 

Leslie found the diamond art craft online. She bought them because she figured it would take a while to complete. 

We figured the girls needed something to give them a break from being in the sun. 

I thought they all turned out so cute!

 For the scavenger hunt, they paired up in big sister and little sister teams. I really can't remember which team won. I was more concerned about them rousting a snake out of the weeds! They have seemed to be more numerous around the chicken coop this spring. But, the girls managed to find all of their animals, and not a single unwanted one!

Jamie printed and laminated pictures of the various animals found at Yellowstone.

The moms and I hid the pictures around the property.

The girls had to work in teams to find the pictures on their check lists.

As they found the animal, they would mark it off the checklist. 

I'm pretty sure there might have been one or two that somehow or another weren't found. 

There are a lot of good hiding places around Scott's house.

Leslie made us all some vinyl cut-outs for some sweat bands, buffs, bandannas and t-shirts. Even Pete got to wear a Searls Family Staycation buff for a while. He didn't like it but he is so sweet natured, you can do just about anything to that crazy dog. 

Pete in his buff.

One of the sweat bands.

Leslie and Gerson in their sweat bands.

Tico wearing one of the bandanas. 

At some point in the afternoon, someone found a baby bird on the ground near our tables. There are some spindly trees that grow at the west end of the house, and a couple of Cardinals had built a nest in the top branches. The wind must have blown their baby out. They kept flying around the tops of the trees, trying to figure out how to take care of the little guy. Luckily, with the use of some hoes, rakes, ladders, and teamwork, we managed to put the little guy back into his nest. I hope he makes it after that fall! It was pretty high.

We finished the day off with more swimming, Mentos geysers, and picked up dinner at Rosa's so that we wouldn't have to cook. 

The girls loved the boat...

Pete... not so much.

Scott and Molly with Pete in his life vest. For a lab, he isn't all that comfortable in the water. I think we all hope he will adjust. He would be a blast to swim with. 

Unfortunately, the heat and exhaustion were starting to take a toll on most of us. In hind sight, we probably should have called it quits this afternoon. Up until this point, we had been having a pretty good time. But, the next day... not so much.