It's Spring!

The weather is finally turning nice and we are taking advantage of it. Two hikes in two days! Yesterday was cool, but the sun was shining so as soon as I got my grocery shopping and laundry done, off we went exploring. 

The last time we had been to Palmyra Cove, the woman at the Nature Center told us about the Cove Trail that meanders along the river. She advised us to take the hike early in the spring because later in the summer, it's not enjoyable because of all the bugs. After being there yesterday, it was easy to see they would be a problem because of the marshiness of the area. We didn't see any deer this time, but we were on the alert for nesting Canadian geese. We actually had to detour around the path at one point because a female was sitting on a nest right on the trail and her mate was on guard. They can be vicious when they're protecting their nest so we picked up sticks and circled far around them.

The tide was out.

Bridge across the Pennsauken Creek

Looking across to the Betsy Ross Bridge

This was a very enjoyable hike - 1.9 miles one way that dead ended so you had to go back the way you came. I think we'll try to get here at high tide next time. It probably looks a lot different with more water.

Today was even more beautiful: warmer and not as windy. Even though we had been to Rancocas State Park last week, Andy wanted to go there again. It is really a big park and there were areas we hadn't investigated and even after today, there are still more trails to explore. Years ago we had taken the family on one of our holiday hikes to the "Indian reservation" at Rancocas Park. We found out that the Indians actually had leased the land from the state of NJ. Originally, this tribe moved up from Virginia. The chief was Roy Crazy Horse and held things together with Indian festivals and all kinds of activities until he died in 2004. Then things pretty much fell apart. Those who were left couldn't agree on how things should be run. The state required them to upgrade their facilities according to fire code and building codes. And apparently, the Indians misspent the money that was allotted to them and they just abandoned the land they had been using. While they had been there, they used the land like it was their private property, paving roads and doing things on state land that they didn't get permits for. 

Rancocas State Park itself is 1,252 acres and there are many trails available for hiking. They are pretty clearly marked and some are through very scenic woods or along the Rancocas Creek.

The sky was so blue today.

We found this huge stand of immense pines.

I have to include one more picture as proof that occasionally there is a hill in south Jersey!

I know it doesn't look like much. Ok, it isn't really. I have to admit that the hikes we take don't have us huffing and puffing. But it is still exercise and that counts, doesn't it? 3.8 miles yesterday and close to 3 miles today.

It is such a blessing to live where we do. Andy and I are both thankful that he is able to get out and enjoy the hiking. We both feel that as long as he is physically able, we need to get out and take advantage of the parks that are available to us. The amazing thing is that Rancocas State Park is almost in our back yard. It only takes us 10 minutes to drive there.

It was a long, hard, cold winter but it looks like spring is finally here. The grass is greening up, the forsythia is blossoming and the magnolia tree is close to full bloom. 

Another evidence of the faithfulness of our God.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, 
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above.
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.