As you may have seen past posts, I have decided to Julie/Julia my way through the group exercise offerings at the wonderful YMCA where I work. (3 down, about 40 or so to go!)
I realize there is something in me that takes both comfort and challenge from a "do list" as I had a very similar urge to systematically do the J/J treatment to "16 Parks Your Family Will Love" in the most recent Bay Area Parent Family Navigator.
Though, for the record, they are missing my 2 favorites, so the mission I am now undertaking is "18 Parks in 18 Weeks".
(For the record, those missing - IMHO - are: Rancho San Antonio for its great biking/hiking trails... and the cute little farm, and Montebello Open Space Preserve hiking trail, accessing it from the trailhead with the most most child-friendly wine tasting room I know.)
Today I took my kids and our new "mit gears" bikes to Cornelius Bol Park in Palo Alto... I couldn't recall if I'd ever been here before, but as soon as I got here... BOOM, memory hit me in rich, full, fragent detail. This was one of the best Mothers Together playgroup parks, with a creek bank they really want you to scramble down. There's a break in the fence that indicates t best spot. My youngest child had a "running away from me" problem, and I loved this stretch of creek with only one exit.
The play area also had the best tire swing of any park I've been to, and I remembered how my kids would swing there for hours.
Well that hasn't changed! Even to boys 4 years bigger than the last time we came, the tire swing delights, with the added bonus of them singing "you spin me right round baby" -- Chipmunks edition of course -- the whole time.
When we did get on our bikes, the path that had seemed so long (out past Gunn High school to Foothill Expressway) and uphill... well, it was just a little 15 minute round trip, and that with lots of scooting off the trail to try all the little dirt path offshoots.
I'd say we were too old for this park, but they played joyfully for two hours (no whining to return home and play the Wii... whoa) while I read, Lamb, one of the funniest books I can recall.
I read for TWO HOURS in a stretch. Yes, I'm shouting for joy, both for this little pleasure, and at the wonder of seeing 4 years having passed, but leaving such crystal clear memories.
More parks to come. (Let me know if you want to join me on these jaunts.)
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