Yesterday, Jason and I went through our usual pre-hike routine.
Jason: “Where do you want to go?”
Me: “I don’t care. Wherever.”
Jason: “How about ______ ?”
Me: “Sure. Fine.”
(several minutes later)
Me: “Let’s go to ______ instead.”
When we set off from home, our initial destination was the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail. While we just walked it two weeks ago, we figured we’d actually see all the springs this time 
But I had other ideas. I pulled out our Kettle Moraine State Forest map and scanned the Ice Age Trail. I made the suggestion to Jason that we hike another segment of it instead of a trail we only just did. So since we were headed to the Scuppernong area, we decided to start at one of the trailheads for the Ice Age that we pass every time we head out that way.
This segment of trail was a mix of woods and open prairie. The trail was wide through the woods, which is unusual based on the other portions we’ve hiked.
After a particularly hot and humid prairie hike last summer, I came to dislike hiking through open spaces. This trail, however, was really nice. Despite the heat at this point in the morning, it was actually pleasant.
Jason got some good “wildlife” shots. He’s getting good with the Canon 
Who would’ve thought we’d come across this in the middle of a prairie…
Since this area is connected to the Scuppernong River, we weren’t completely surprised to find a spring. However, this spring wasn’t nearly as cool as the one we saw along the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail.
Along the entire length of trail we hiked, there were flowers blooming. In fact, Jason and I both got a little picture crazy over the flowers.
Finally, it was time to head back into the woods, wrapping up the hike. But we had one more “wildlife” surprise…a toad!
It’s the little things – literally – that make me happy
A short debate ensued as to whether this was a frog or a toad. I’m going with toad.
After a little playing around with a hand-pump drinking fountain and after a little snack, it was time to head home.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh man, raised wooden trails? How posh!! Hahaha. I think sometimes it would be nice to have such things…like, when I’m hiking through shallow streams or over rocks.
Looks like a fun time!
They were pretty nice, the nicest I’ve hiked over
I didn’t quite understand why there were so many boardwalks along this portion of trail – there wasn’t really any water through the woods. The springs area we hiked a couple of weeks ago definitely could have used these in a few more spots – there weren’t any through the marshiest portion of that trail, the portion that was a former cranberry bog. Now there they would have made some sense.