On Monday we went paddling on Black Creek off of Scottsville Rd. We explored some side channels and then paddled up the creek towards the railroad bridge. It was fun learning how to control the canoes and kayaks. We arrived at the bridge and had to paddle through the dark tunnels to the other side. The right tunnel was lower than the left and we had to duck down to avoid bumping our heads on the roof. Soon after, we spotted a Great Blue Heron standing alonside the creek. We watched for a few minutes and then he took off heading away from us. After a while we paddled back to the van, loaded the boats and drove to the beach for lunch and swimming. We pulled out the metal detector to see if maybe we could find some lost treasures.
On Tuesday, we rode out for the 12 mile bicycle treasure hunt. We found the trail to Turning Point Park and took it down to the river and out over the water, finding additional clues along the way. Finally arriving at Ontario Beach Park, we stopped for lunch, found some more clues and rode the merry-go-round befor finishing the ride. We figured out the secret message and had our treasure. there wasn't enough time to go back to the beach so we went to play a few holes of disc golf before going home.
On Wednesday, we went to Durand Eastman Park to do some geocaching (no luck) and to play on the low rope obstacle course. We played for a while, had lunch, went for a long hike across the golf course where we found a bunch of lost golf balls up in the woods, saw a momma deer with her little one and hiked back to the van. We returned home to play on the swing and get sprayed with the hose.
On Thursday we pcked the trailer and headed for Buttermilk Falls State Park for our overnight camping trip. We made a stop at the Cayuga Nature Center to play at the 6-story tree house since last weeks kids had enjoyed it. After playing for a while, we made it to camp and set up the tents and the kitchen and made lunch. Our neighbor had an adorable dog that the kids had fun playing with. Everyone wanted to swim so we hiked the trail down to the swimming area at the base of Buttermilk Falls. We swam for a while, then played in the creek a little, piling rocks to make a dam or a rock cairn. Then it was time to hike back up the steep hills to camp and make dinner. That night we had a good fire, toasted marshmallows and made smores. Harry got out the guitar for some songs and then it was time for bed.
Friday morning the kids made a delicious breakfast of pancakes with chocolate chips or raspberries and sausage. Then we packed up camp and drove down to the lower parking lot so we could hike up the trail that followed the creek along maybe 10 or 11 waterfalls. It was quite the "climb" but it was beautiful. When we got back down to the van we decided to drive over to Robert Treman State Park just down the street to check out their swimming area. It was awesome but cold. Some of us swam while others played in the creek. We tried to catch a big crayfish but it was very fast. When we got back home, there was time to finish the movie from earlier in the week and hang out and relax for a bit in the yard.
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