Critters In The Moonlight

This was a fabulous event held at Hartwick Pines State Park a couple of weeks before Halloween:

"Although this program is especially focused for families with young children, all visitors will enjoy the jack-o-lantern-lit walk through a portion of the old-growth forest to encounter several of Michigan's forest animals," said DNR Park Interpreter Craig Kasmer.

The forest animals will be played by costumed volunteers who will tell participants a little about each animal to dispel some common misconceptions about them. The "critters" will include a bat, skunk, bear, wolf, snake, owl, spider, vulture and others. After the walk, visitors can enjoy a cup of cider and a doughnut at the picnic shelter. Children are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes and will receive a treat bag while supplies last.

Although G and I made a date to attend this with D and his grandma, they opted to ride with someone else and see us there. So G and I revised the plan and brought along K and J. So glad we did. Turnout was huge and we never even laid eyes on D and Grandma Claire in the overwhelming crowd.

The "critters" were informative, engaging and funny. And my three boys hung on every word, scooching to the front of our group for each presentation and asking good questions. "What do you do in the winter?" "What do you eat in the winter?"

They were patient in long lines and brave, if not a little nervous, about what lay ahead on the dark trail. They were also tireless. We arrived at 6:20 and didn't make our way to the cider and donuts portion of the event until nearly 9 PM.

Then they chattered away the entire trip home. We dropped J at his house. Then K. And before I returned to the truck after walking K to his door, G had pretty much fallen unconscious in the backseat. As he was in the middle seat, he tipped completely over when I made the first turn toward our house. And stayed that way until I carried him in. Happy but exhausted.

Good boys. Every one.

Love the pic above...they had just overheard talk of a bear up ahead.