[Image] The other day I had the urge to go see some birds. I figured the beach would be a great place to go. Of course, the nearest beach isn't what most people might envision. We'll get to that in a moment.

Hundreds of mallards like hanging out near this beach, but they took off as I approached.

[Image] The Canada geese were quick to follow. It didn't help that I had Henry with me and he likes to chase birds.

[Image] I also had the kids with me, but they were content to start the hike to the beach with a snack. Desert Boy had packed everything in a big ziploc bag.

[Image] The geese on the other side of the pond were still hanging out.

[Image] Then it was time to hike. Desert Girl had some difficulty navigating the willows.

[Image] She made it, though.

[Image] That's when I noticed she still had a juice pouch in her hand. No wonder it was so hard to get over the branches.

[Image] Desert Boy was looking forward to this adventure with a lot of enthusiasm.

[Image] We were almost to the beach!

[Image] Can you see what's coming?

[Image] Desert Girl wanted to get to the other side.

[Image] Oops, maybe not this time.

[Image] Time to try again. Obviously Henry wasn't so shy about getting wet.

[Image] Those black boots were just the right footwear for this day.

[Image] If Desert Boy was on the other side, Desert Girl had to go too.

[Image] Henry was in heaven.

[Image] He did a lot of running.

[Image]
[Image] Meanwhile Desert Girl was showing me her muddy hands. She seemed a little perturbed.

[Image] But then she went back to playing on the beach. Apparently a little mud was okay.

[Image] But a little more mud was worrisome.

[Image] Or maybe not.

[Image] What's better than a late afternoon on a muddy beach? Alas, it couldn't go on forever...

[Image] Eventually that mud got a little too cold.

Well, at least we had some time at the beach! Some day maybe we'll try for a different kind of beach!