Dear Reagan,

Since your mom works two nights a week at the hospital, you (sort of) and I set a goal of exploring all the parks in Ottawa County over the next few weeks.

It’s been so much fun wandering trails, looking at birds, touching different types of tree bark, spitting in rivers, picking up cool looking rocks, and “talking” with you all the way. You seem to like exploring as much as I do (except when you fall asleep 15 seconds into a walk, ya turkey).

I really believe humans were made to explore. If you think about it, exploring and learning are the same things. Whether reading a book or exploring a park, it’s about seeing new things, going new places, collecting, gathering, growing, and going towards something good. There’s almost nothing better than doing these things with someone you love. So thanks for being my exploring buddy.

I love this list from Keri Smith’s How To Be An Explorer Of The World.

1. Always Be LOOKING (notice the ground beneath your feet.)
2. Consider Everything Alive & Animate
3. EVERYTHING Is Interesting. Look Closer.
4. Alter Your Course Often.
5. Observe For Long Durations (and short ones).
6. Notice The Stories Going On Around You.
7. Notice PATTERNS. Make CONNECTIONS.
8. DOCUMENT Your Findings (field notes) In a variety of ways.
9. Incorporate Indeterminacy.
10. Observe Movement.
11. Create a Personal DIALOGUE With Your Environment. Talk to it.
12. Trace Things Back to Their ORIGINS.
13. Use ALL of the Senses In Your Investigations.”

Here are some pictures of our recent adventures (sorry they’re in snapchat form, my iphone camera is maxed-out with pictures of you).

Last nights’ park

Someone looks happy to be here.

15 seconds in to the walk.

Still sleeping.

Different park. Still Sleeping.

Look who woke up!