Tender Tracks Tues. Day 53

April 11, 2017
Waxing Moon/ Day before Full Moon
Lake Lagunitas

Many of the children were on spring break. Because of this, Edie’s mother and sister came to visit and play with us today. 🙂 Her sister was in Tender Tracks last year.

The weather had said rain for part of the day but in truth we only got mist and gray clouds with some strong wind bursts now and again.

The day began in the bus with 5 different plants scattered about for the children to notice. They then smelled each one to see if they could recognize the plant.  Archer instantly knew peppermint as he shared how much he gardens.

When we got to the lake they hopped out and began to explore this wonderland. Down to the water they went with great delight. There we discovered that someone started to build a dam across the water where once the old log that laid across had washed away this winter.  Who did this? Was it a beaver? Do beaver’s even live here?  How deep do beavers homes need to be? Is this deep enough?………… All the Tracking questions to contemplate when wishing to discover the answers to these kinds of mysteries.

There was dragging down of a log to make it so we could actually get on it.  Archer and Edie’s sister ventured forth to try and climb over it and, THEY DID!! To the other side they went and back again and then to circle.

There we had a story about finding a Fairy in the garden and learning how to listen, feel, smell and tend to the plants with the Fairies and love.  The whole morning was about this. They then got to smell some fragrances on a little pad and then match it with the plants that they looked at and smelled in the bus.  And then,  there were cards with pictures drawn on them for the children to find.  Scattered about they went and, they found them!  Pictures of things that they always see in this place and then off we went to find them.
There was a: California Newt, Turkey Vulture, Turtles on a log, Wood Pecker. So off we went to find these treasures.

The first thing we found were lot’s of Ca Newts right in the creek near us.  Then up the stairs and down the path to where the turtles were. We found one lone turtle with it’s head sticking out and moving it back and forth, back and forth. Then up the stone stairs to make our way to Wood pecker Heaven but, there were no sounds of Wood Peckers!!! Where were they? Did the weather effect them? Were they sleeping? Usually they are not…….

We made our way round the path until we got to the Fairy pool inside the old Oak Tree and then around a corner or two more to where we settled down and settled into the place that many said “I love this place!” with memories to go along with that.

Edie really wanted to relive our time when Michelle got them lot’s of Cattails to play with but alas, they were toooooo far out into the water to get. After lunch the children discovered LOT’S of tadpoles at the waters edge.  Isabella got a plastic bag out from her back pack and some other children used their containers from eaten lunch to catch and release these treasures.  Archer and Isabella wanted to take them home but alas, this is where these treasures live and where they are to be born so, we will come back next week to see how they have grown.

Isabella’s plastic bag had let loose from her hand and began to float away into the wilds of the lake. OH NO!  This is not good for the ducks and animals that live here, it could be harmful for them. What to do??? The wind children played with it for awhile and, for awhile we thought they might blow it back in to shore but, it got stuck in the cattails so….
Maybe a long stick could be gotten and pull it back in?  I looked about for a long stick, broke one off and tried it, but alas, it was not long enough. So, I took off my boots, socks, rolled up by pants as high as they would go and in I went.  And then, and then, and then…….SUCCESS!!!!!!!! Phew, relief for my heart that no water creatures would have ill effects due to this plastic thing.  And then, back to tadpole play the children went.

We played Coyote and Rabbit and it turned out that I was the Rabbit when I thought I would be the Coyote!  I was chased and chased and then Edie’s sister, Jesse and I discovered some great burnt wood with charcoal to draw with. Archer had a beautiful board that was to protect me from the Coyotes and he was willing to let Edie’s sister have it when she wanted it.  Edie and Isabella played with Edie’s mother for awhile and then, it was time to go back.

Our walk back was sweet and blessed with gentle drizzles.

It was a fine  day with refreshing breezes, gentle rains, and all our senses explored.