Trudging Along: Black River WMA

About a week ago, we went to the Black River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). I wasn't feeling well so we did a flat one - and we started later in the day. Both big mistakes! Liam was tired to begin with and he prefers difficult, technical climbs over flat trails. He actually has a harder time when it's easier. Go figure!

It was VERY swampy and buggy and we reapplied bug spray twice and still ended up being eaten alive! Since Liam had cellulitis after some bad bug bites a few weeks ago, that worried us. We gave him Benedryl and put antibiotic cream on the bites as soon as we got home. 

Since then, we've purchased CHIGGEREX which is an awesome after-bite soothing ointment. Please note that this is an affiliate link, but I only ever recommend products that we love! 

Well... I'll let the pictures speak for themselves....

Looking a little droopy already and we hadn't even left the parking lot!

Well this should be a blast given the enthusiastic look at his face...

(note the sarcasm)

It was pretty

After 0.25 miles, Liam was asking if we'd gone 2 miles already...

Not really!

Pretty fungus

We liked this little swampy area,

but so did the bugs!

Duck weed

This was the most scenic part of the hike

Lovely purple flowers lined the swamp

Moving along... 

A Christmas tree! In July!

Some very cool ornaments

Maybe we'll bring one along next time and hang it up...

If Liam lets us go back...

Super cool!

Back to the task at hand...

Mile 1! And we were aiming for 2 miles out and 2 miles back...

Would we make it? 

The bugs were SWARMING

Well this was nice too.

This was on the way back.

I didn't get a picture of the Mile 2 marker because Liam was so insistent on turning around.

Liam had fun in the mud!

The happiest he was on the entire hike.

He completely soaked his hiking boots.

Squishing around was so much fun!

Stomp, stomp!

Finally... a smile!

What a mess!

But at least he was happy!

Enough pictures, please!

The evening light hitting the swamp and fields beyond

Neon green!

Being silly.

I like silly!

Silly is better than mopey! 

Goofball!

His Angry Bird t-shirt was wearing the sunglasses.

A little flower toward the end of our hike

Leading the way out.

So that was that! Not a super exciting hike, but I wanted to share the photos with you anyway. Not every hike can be a Tammany or Huckleberry Point! Sometimes you just need to get out and stretch your legs. And we hadn't gone in a while so it was nice to walk in nature.

This week we plan on hiking up to the Overlook Hotel in the Catskills and then Palisades next weekend (Liam's choice). Soon we'll go fossil hunting at Big Brook and I'll share pics of that too!

Until next time,

Mary