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8:00:00 PM EDT
Feeling Mischievous
running nekkid at Big Toe on the Licking
You might think, as often as I write, that there could not be possibly any major things going on in my life that My Dear Readers are unaware of. Well, that would not be correct. Sometimes I wait to write about something until I have more time, and then time slips away from me and I forget about it.
Last week we spent an idyllic day down at our own little piece of heaven--Big Toe on the Licking River. Exactly a year to the day, we had purchased a few acres of wild land in a wildlife sanctuary of around six or seven hundred acres surrounded by farm land. For seventy dollars a month, we can preserve a small piece of land for nature and for our children. We smile a great deal when we are at Big Toe, and talk about how our grandchildren will be able to visit it some day.
There is one endangered species of goldenrod that only blooms in Fleming County Kentucky that grows on the land. 
Last week we crammed our family, Mandy's boyfriend Derrick, and Tabitha's friends the twins Chelsea and Courtney into the van. When we got there, the first thing Shelby did take off her clothes and wallow in a mud puddle. It was about eighty degrees, so she did not get too cold. She was also very happy to find some helgamites and other water bugs to check out (and kiss).
Tabitha had brought her notebook along, and so we had the Key Sheet from the water class we took in the fall and we could key out the water insects. It was fun to watch the twins--who are very much city kids--look around at nature.
A little bit later, I heard squeals and giggles, and Tabitha and the eleven year old twins were skinny dipping in a vernal pool. We forbade them to get into the Licking River, as the current is still too strong, but they had a lot of fun swimming in the small knee deep pond,. They wereout of sight of the males (LOL) so all was toward.
They were very muddy though, and all of them went through two complete changes of clothes and were filthy by the end of the day.
Afterwards, all the younguns tramped up the side of the mountain. This took about an hour. They found some trilobites and some other fossils. They found some owl pellets and some wildcat scat.
The toad trilliums were blooming.
There were wild turkeys around, and many turkey buzzards.
The kids cooked food over the fire using twigs.
On the way home, all six of them fell asleep. It is an hour and forty minutes southeast of here.
:-)
Covered Bridges in Kentucky Fleming County has the most covered bridges left in Kentucky--many of them predate the War Between the States. The first entry has a map. There were many battles and skirmishes in this part of Kentucky.
Big Toe on the Licking another fun day down at Big Toe. Fishing down on the Licking River at Big Toe
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What a wonderful experience. And i am so pleased that you are the keeper of our beloved nature....you and your lovely family will serve it well. I know much kids love getting wet and muddy...what a freedom! sounds like sooooo much fun, can't wait for my camping time...which is very soon.! rose
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hestia home school fan club member from colorado checking in :
hi ladies, sounds like you had a boat load of fun. that has got to be one of the best ways to spend the day. i grew up on a farm in iowa and i remember many days similiar. we use to ride our ponies back to the "big pond" and swim them across the "ocean". and we always skinny dipped. what fun we had. so i loved your story about being on"the big toe". it sparked a few memories of my own.
wallyobrien -
LOL I always love to read about your outdoor adventures. I am NOT a camper. I've always hated camping. Give me a nice screened in porch to enjoy the evening air. ;-)
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Sounds like yall all had fun! :)
4/17/05 6:27 PM