Another Hike Around Galena Lake

Hi Folks! Today is Tuesday, May 5, 2015 - Happy Cinco De Mayo! We spent the weekend getting settled into our new campground and visiting with Kathy's family. On Monday, it was Kathy's turn to run around visiting various doctors, while Dave stayed back at the rig catching up on chores. We are finally recovering from the colds we brought back from Toronto. Good thing, since Dave's pre-op physical is scheduled for Thursday. We decided, enough of being inside all day, it was time to get out and take a walk in the woods.

We stayed in this area back in November on our way down to Florida, so we have a few trails in mind that we want to re-visit.  We picked an easy one to start: Peace Valley Park. Here is a link to our prior blog which has a lot of background and history - Around Lake Galena in Peace Valley Park. Since that hike was in November, we got to see a different view of the lake on this hike - Spring!

Come along with us as we begin our 6.69 mile journey around the lake.

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the flowers.

There are still a few private properties around the lake. This gentleman likes to sit out on his lawn chair and watch folks go by.

After the first two miles, we decided to stop and stretch.

A good part of the path is paved, but that doesn't make the uphills any easier.

On today's hike, we got a chance to go in and check out the Nature Center. It was closed when we visited in November. It is located in an old farm house, and the staff has done an amazing job re-purposing the kitchen stove.

We took a few minutes to watch a birding video on the songbirds of Pennsylvania and Ohio. It was so peaceful and relaxing, we actually bought the DVD!

Now back to our hike. There are a number bird blinds set up. Here we could look across the lake and see a tree full of anhinga, resting from their underwater fishing labors.

Here is a closer look at the anhingas hanging out on a fallen log.

We ate our picnic lunch next to the water's edge. We watched as several fish came into the shallow water swimming in circles to make small nests to lay their eggs. It is spring after all!

When we were here back in November, the boat dock was closed for the season. The paddle boats, canoes and kayaks are out and ready to rent, but only on the weekends until mid-June. We are putting kayaks on the list for after Dave's recovery period.

Dave loved the look of this dock. It just called out, "Take a photo!"

Kathy, on the other hand, said it called out, "Come take a look over the edge!"

We finished our hike early, since thunderstorms were predicted for late in the day. During Happy Hour, we played our new songbird DVD. Once the little birdies began popping up on the TV singing their sweet songs, the cats haven't taken their eyes off the TV. Flip is politely sitting on the couch, hasn't moved a muscle, her eyes riveted on the video birds.  Not Baxter. He wanted to get the birdies and kept pawing at the TV screen.  He soon tired of trying to catch them and settled in for a ringside seat.  This is Baxter's version of MST3K!