Clemmons Educational State Forest

Clemmons Educational State Forest is right here in Clayton. We had no idea that it was so close by until a friend told us about it recently. This Saturday was the perfect day to go! We packed a picnic and the stroller and headed out for a little homegrown adventure.















Merrit fuels up with a PB&J before we hit the trail.


















And we're off. This park has great gravel paths, suitable enough even for our stroller.


















As Ollie and I lagged behind a bit, I took this very sweet shot of Mike with Merrit.


















Ollie was very interested in listening to all the bird and bug noises.


















We pushed the button on this voice-box and got a mini lecture on granite rock and how granite came to be located in the piedmont area of North Carolina.


















Bored by the geology lesson, Ollie studied his hand.

















Ferns were everywhere.


















Mushrooms, too.


















Pushing the stroller up and down the hills and over the occasional tree root was great exercise!


















Merrit was in "all boy" mode...looking under every rock, branch, and bridge!













The adventure continues: Here's he scans the water for snakes, turtles, and fish.













At the trail's end, we came upon this sunny little meadow. It couldn't have been more picturesque.


















At the other end of the meadow, we found ourselves near the parking lot where we started (we'd made a big loop). A large deck extended out over the water. Here, Ollie is parked beside an oversized map of North Carolina, which has been burned into the wooden decking.











Merrit found his turtles!














The boys search the water below for fish and more turtles.













Days that we can get out and do something together like this are the best kind of days. Right, guys?