Well here we are at the end of June and most of our outdoor plans got put on hold due to indoor projects.  We did get out for daily walks or bike rides, but have yet to get out on the water. Working on that for this weekend.

Mother Nature was not all that kind to us this past month.  Seems like summer has been a long time coming.

April had me still anxiously awaiting spring.  There were a few signs, some nice warms days, followed by more cold, windy days.  I guess I should be used to this by now, having lived in Wisconsin all my life.

I enjoy winters in Wisconsin but I have to admit that by March I am ready for it to be over.  This year was no exception.  I was hoping that by the end of the month the snow would be gone and the bikes would be out of storage.

We started the month with a fun Saturday of snowshoeing with friends at Hoffman Hills Recreation Area.  The weather was good as was the snow. 

A sunny, Saturday January morning.  Good day to get out the snowshoes.  We had heard about the new Northwest Community Park and decided we would give it a try. 

What a difference a few weeks makes in Wisconsin weather.  Sitting here today in the cold, waiting for the snow, thinking that just a few short weeks ago we were out hiking, minus jackets, wishing we had worn shorts.

Sitting here, looking at the bare trees, I'm thinking that is still felt like summer just a few weeks ago. 

Autumn is in the air.  Seems like summer turned into fall overnight.  We were out of the area for 2 weeks on vacation and it felt like summer when we left and we came home to changing colors and falling leaves (and a lot of rain). 

Once again, the summer is going too fast.  We weren't able to get out for any major outings this month, but we did manage to have some enjoyable outside time. 

This summer we have been trying to get out biking, hiking and in my case, running as much as possible.  Summer already seems to be going by too fast, so we need to get out and enjoy it while we can.

One day last week, I decided to take a run through Carson Park.  I enjoy running along the bike trails and through the park, watching the people and dogs along the way. 

Memorial Day weekend, the beginning of summer. 

Saturday, a perfect summer day, warm and sunny.  We decided it would be a good day to visit Big Falls County Park. It had been several years since we had been there in the summer. When our daughters were young we would take them there swimming and fishing and always enjoyed it.  Time to check it out again.

Spring again.  Seems like we were just making plans for everything we wanted to do this winter and here it is May again.  Now it's time to talk about everything we would like to do this spring and summer.  I have been out and about in the local garden centers looking at the flowers, grasses, and yard and garden fun stuff. 

Spring again.  Seems like we were just making plans for everything we wanted to do this winter and here it is almost May again.  Now it's time to talk about everything we would like to do this spring and summer. 

Spring fever.  I have it and itt feels good.  I love the sun.  I like to watch the dirty snow disappear a litte more each day until finally it's gone.  I have hopes that this will be the end of it but I know better!

First of all, I want to start out by saying "thanks" to Volume 1 and the Eau Claire Parks and Rec for starting the Winter After Hours on Thursday nights at Boyd Park. I hope this is something they plan to continue in the future.

December and winter has arrived.  Just 3 weeks ago we took a Sunday morning hike at Lowe's Creek Park in 50 degree temperatures.  It was a beautiful day and winter seemed a long way off.  Lowe's Creek Park has great hiking/biking trails and it's a great way to spend a few hours outside enjoying the weather.  Our dogs had a chance to take one last swim of the season in the creek so they were muddy and happy when we got back to the parking lot.

I love fall.  I love everything about fall.  The colors, the smell, the cool night and warm days, football??  It's the best time of year for outside play like biking, running, rollerblading...

A Sunday morning… much too nice to be inside.  We decided it would be the perfect day to take a bike ride on the Red Cedar trail.  After a few calls we met up with some friends at the trail head in Menomonie.  We were quite surprised to see that we seemed to have the trail to ourselves that morning.  We biked the eight miles to Downsville in less than an hour. 

On a recent Thursday evening we decided to take in the Volume One concert at Phoenix Park.  It was such a beautiful summer evening we decided to take a get in a short bike ride before the concert. 

Summer....finally.  But along with summer comes those things we "have to" do and that doesn't always leave much time for those things we "want to" do.

As a native and longtime resident of Eau Claire, my husband and I are delighted to be contributors to this new blog. My name is Connie, and my husband Jeff and I are your Nature resource in the Eau Claire area.