If there is a heaven, there must be places like this there. This lake is a fascinating place. I've seen so many types of plants and animals here. Anybody would have a good time here. There are so many things to see in just this picture alone. If you live anywhere near Farmington Hills, you have to go see this.
I thought this picture was pretty good. I am coming from the trail in the darkness into the light. The bench there is for viewing something wonderful. I'm sure you have a good idea what that is. The transition of the end of one adventure to the beginning of another.
Today, I was walking along the nature trails, and having a relaxing time, when a woman stopped me and asked if I was still taking pictures. I said I was, and she told me there were three deer where she just came from. I walked over there and this is what I found. It looks like it's posing for me, but it really didn't like me standing so close to it for very long. I decided to leave it in peace and went home happy to have had another fun adventure.
This really is like a dream. It reminds me of something you'd see in a fantasy story, or maybe one of those hedge mazes. That would be fun to explore. Here, you come out of the thick dark forest into this. The path is mowed so you can get through. I wonder when they do that. It is like waking into a fantasy world.
I love to watch the water flow down a creek. When I was a kid, there was a creek by our house that we used to go play in during the summer. Sometimes I think that was the best time of my life. That was when I first remember exploring the woods and the water. We followed that creek from the source, to where it became a pretty good sized river that you'd have to swim to get across. I still remember it like it was yesterday.
You can see here what Woodland Hills is mostly about. The front area is full of trails like this. Sometimes you feel like you're the only person in the world when you're here. I love walking in the woods. Your footsteps sound so loud when you're alone. Sometimes I just stop and stare at the trees. This is a great peaceful feeling.
I saw this tree and almost expected to see elves coming out of it. Maybe they were hiding today. I have other pictures of this tree, but I like this one. Did I hear little voices? Hey, gimme some cookies, fellas.
Benches like this one are scattered throughout the Woodland Hills trails. If you need to rest you won't have to wait long here. This is the first bench you'll see here. When I got here today there was an older man and woman sitting here. We had a nice conversation. They told me they preferred this park to Heritage Park. They said they liked it because it was more peaceful and there weren't as many people here. They asked how far back I was going, and I told them I was going clear to the back. The woman then urged me to get a trail map, and said the same a few more times. I reassured her by letting her know I had been coming here for a few years, and I knew my way around pretty well. She was surprised to find out there was a pond in the back. They asked where I was from, and we found out we only lived a few miles apart. We talked a little more before I moved on. Nice people. You never know what you'll find when you're on an adventure. This was a little pleasant surprise. Maybe sometime I'll have to work up the courage to ask to take pictures of some of the people I meet along the way.
This should give you some idea what the Woodland Hills trail is about. Lots of things to see here. Look at the trail closely. This is as civilized as this one gets. On the left of this picture there is a box with trail maps. Take one, you might need it. If you want to have a nature adventure, this is the place.
Here's something to do most summer days. Watch a softball game. You could maybe play in one if you find a team. The team in blue won the championship shortly after this picture was taken. The star of the team is one of my favorite people.
I like to go to this bridge and look out at the water and think. There was someone I used to know, who would always ask me what I did when I wasn't with her. I would describe the parks and the nature trails to her. I always wanted her to go along, but this wasn't her kind of thing. I would tell her about seeing animals of all kinds. I would tell her about looking off this bridge into the water and watching hundreds of fish swim by. We would joke about different things each other did when we weren't together. One time, I was telling her about these trails, and she asked me in a teasing voice, "Did you see the little fishies?". Now, every time I look into the water from this bridge, I think of her, and it makes me happy.
I saw these rocks and thought they would make a nice picture. I was right. They're at the end of one of the parking areas in Heritage Park. I took this on my way to another section of the nature trails. There are a lot of things to see on this upcoming section, but I'll be looking for something specific this time.
This barn is in Heritage Park. I'm not sure if they are in the middle of painting it, or if it's supposed to look that way. I keep returning to this park because there are so many things to see. I've been going here for a few years now, and I discover new places all the time. The best thing is that it's only a few miles from where I live, so I can go here every day.
This is more from outside Farmington Hills City Hall. If you walk across the bridge, it will take to the fountain. The whole area looks peaceful and relaxing. A good place to walk around and explore.
No everyday adventure would be complete if you didn't check out the things around your local city hall. This fountain has benches around it so you can sit and look for a while. This is, as you can see on the sign, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. It's on the corner of Eleven Mile and Orchard Lake Rd. I think I like fountains.
While I'm giving warnings about bugs, I should say to stay on the trails in wild areas. Try not to touch any plants. Some of them may be poisonous. Most of them are just fine, but always be careful. Whatever they are, they're always great to look at.
I think this is a dragonfly or something. Whatever it is, it's kinda cool looking. Something I'm learning the hard way is that next time I should put on some bug repellent. I was being swarmed by bugs and they bit me all over. This itching is driving me crazy. Take this as a small warning.
