Sarah and Will Take a Day Trip

In an effort to keep my first place on the Goose Chase Scavenger Hunt, I needed to go to one more place. This one was 3 hours away in East Tennessee, just past Knoxville. I debated on doing it but in the end Will really wanted to go with me and I figured it would be a fun day to spend together. We hit the road as the sun was rising and didn't stop until nearly dinner time. 

The park we had to visit is called Seven Islands Birding Park. We didn't stay long, but it was fun to hear all the birds. I guess there are over 300 species in this protected area. It would be fun to go back and just sit for awhile.

When we left, since we were so close by, we drove to the Univ of Tennessee gardens. The master gardeners are under the UT AgriResearch umbrella and there are 3 demo garden areas in West, Middle and East. I saw the west gardens last week and wanted to go for all 3. Will kept me entertained as we walked around the UT ones (east.)  

All he wanted to do was catch one of their big koi fish. Good grief! I turned around and he had his hand in there. Then another time he had ripped a leaf off and was using it for a fishing pole. I'm glad it was a holiday! No one was able to see all that.

This is called a sweetshrub and I just fell in love with it. I need to figure out where to put one in my yard!

Of course we had to find a Mexican restaurant for lunch!

Then we went to visit Cumberland Mountain State Park. Will wanted to have "fun" and to him fun was pedalboating. So we rented one and road around and enjoyed this gorgeous day! I mean, can you even believe the sky!

Annnnd because we were close by- we also went to the UT gardens in Crossville (middle.) It's been fun to see how different they all are. There aren't any pictures of Will because he opted to stay in the car. Gardens don't overly impress a 10 year old boy.

I had wanted to make a few other stops, but Will fell asleep so we just headed home. It was a beautiful day and made even more beautiful by spending it with Will. We had a lot of fun together and he is so funny. We need to do these adventures more often. I love that boy!!!

Sarah Chases A Goose

The Master Gardeners had a little competition during the month of May. It was through an online scavenger hunt called Goose Chase. They gave you missions to complete and you had to go to different places to check them off. It was fun. And kept me going all around the state! Some of the times we had to take videos, so I don't have those to share. But here are a few of the pictures:

Wildflower: Fleabane

Historic Place: Stones River National Battlefield

State Tree: Tulip Tree

 

 

State Park or Natural Area:  Cedar Glades

Regional Challenge: Cedar Glades (Cedar Trees plus limestone rock)

The trip to Tim's Ford State Park gave me several points.

 A picnic (can you even believe that sky????):

 

 
An Animal: 

 A body of water:

And perhaps the most fun part: KAYAKING!
I will admit that I was hesitant about this one. If it hadn't been for the challenge, I would have talked myself out of it. Even as I was renting the kayaks and the guy was putting them in the water I kept thinking, "Can we do this?" None of our kids have ever been a boat that needed paddling before! I had no idea how they would do. I put Amy and Tyler in one and me and Will in the other. But they did GREAT! Like amazing! And can you even believe this sky?? Oh my goodness, it was the most gorgeous day. I didn't want to leave.

Tyler couldn't wait to jump in. I finally let the boys go for it. The water was a little chilly, but they didn't care.

I can't remember what the challenge was for this one. But this was at Barfield Park.

The state flower: Iris

Regional Challenge: A visit to Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Apparently the only picture I took was of wisteria.

Regional Challenge: Me and these 3 other ladies took a 4 hour (one way) trip to west Tennessee to a park names Meeman-Shelby. It was pretty, but it was a long way away!

While in town, we stopped by the Univ of Tennessee gardens nearby. They have trial gardens in west, middle and east Tennessee. It was fun to see them. They are beautiful! My favorite was watching the wheat sway.

Our family trip to Montgomery Bell State Park also completed a Regional Challenge. (There were certain parks across the state that you had to visit.)

Picture of a fungus: I thought this one was cool.

The last Regional Challenge was way out in East Tennessee: Will went with me to this one. Seven Islands Birding Park.

The challenge is over and I have tied for 1st place! That was the goal. All the 1st Place people are from my county, so that's fun. I think the prize is bragging rights- so it seems silly to have done all this. But it was a really fun way to explore the state.