There’s something about a cool, bright fall day that makes me feel like anything is possible. The leaves are changing, the sun is shining oh so brightly, and the temperature is just perfect. Cool enough to wear a hat and jacket, but warm enough that you don’t feel too chilled. It’s the kind of day that makes you want to get outside, explore, and soak in every little bit of beauty around you.
We began our day walking a path we’ve traveled many times before. It’s near our old house, and let me tell you, it is simply gorgeous in the fall. What was once an old railroad track is now a beautiful walking path, surrounded by towering trees that create a canopy overhead. The ground is covered in vibrant shades of orange and yellow, and when the sunlight shines through the branches, the entire place looks as though it’s glowing. Simply magical.
As we walked, we reminisced about all the years we spent running, playing, and exploring this very same path. So many memories live in this place. And there’s something incredibly special about returning to a familiar place and remembering all the little moments that once made up your everyday life.
Along the way, we stopped to throw leaves into the air, twirl around, and simply play. Ruby’s smile was absolutely beautiful. Watching her laugh and dance beneath the falling leaves reminded me just how precious these moments are. How quickly they come and go. And how important it is to slow down long enough to truly savor them.
The leaves crunched beneath our feet as we walked, and the crisp fall air carried the most wonderful smells. There was the familiar earthy scent of autumn leaves mixed with smoke drifting from a nearby smoker. It was one of those moments when all your senses seem to come alive. Everything felt just right.
From there, we decided to try somewhere new: Pegasus Bread Company! And let me tell you, when they say they make pastries, they mean it! The bread was absolutely to die for, and the selection was incredible. Ruby chose a chocolate cannoli, Kenton went with a chocolate croissant, and Steven picked out what they call a lobster tail. Let’s just say it was messy in the very best way possible!
With our bellies full, we continued our adventure to The Hoover Boardwalk in Galena, Ohio. The boardwalk has recently been updated, and if you love nature, birdwatching, or simply being outdoors, it is absolutely worth a visit. As we made our way along the boardwalk, we looked out over the beautiful water. Birds flew overhead, the sky was a brilliant shade of blue, and fishermen stood quietly with their poles in the water. Kenton, always curious, stopped to ask a few of the fishermen how many fish they had caught. Ruby ran through the sunshine, eager to see everything, asking questions and taking in the world around her.
And me? I simply stopped. I inhaled. I exhaled. And I looked at my family. In that moment, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. Not because we were doing anything extraordinary. Not because we had traveled somewhere far away or planned some elaborate adventure. But because we were together. Walking familiar paths. Making new discoveries. Sharing stories. Laughing. Exploring. Enjoying the beauty of a perfectly ordinary fall day. And I thought about how incredibly lucky I am. These are the moments I want to remember.
The sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet. Ruby’s beautiful smile as she twirled in the sunshine. Kenton’s curiosity as he talked with the fishermen. The simple joy of discovering a new bakery together. Because sometimes, the most beautiful days aren’t the ones filled with big plans or grand adventures. Sometimes, they’re the ones when you simply step outside, follow the sunshine, and allow the day to unfold. And somewhere along the way, you realize that everything you need is right there beside you.
As the day unfolded, the temperature began to rise, and that beautiful fall sunshine was simply too good to waste. When we arrived home, Kenton, Ruby, and I changed into something a little lighter, grabbed our water bottles and paddleboard, and jumped back into the car.
Our next adventure? Alum Creek!
We made our way to one of our favorite spots on the water. It’s a picturesque little place, with scattered picnic tables, beautiful trees, and the kind of peaceful surroundings that make you want to stay awhile.
We unloaded our paddleboard and prepared to head out onto the water. All three of us climbed onto one board. Ruby took her place in the front, I settled into the middle, and Kenton sat in the back. Of course, the kids brought their nets along, just in case we discovered something that needed a closer look! And off we went.
The water was incredibly calm and still. The sun was shining brightly, and the conditions couldn’t have been more perfect for paddleboarding. The water was so clear that the kids could look down and watch little fish darting beneath us.
As we paddled along the shoreline, we discovered trees that had slowly grown out over the water. Their trunks remained firmly planted on land, but their branches stretched out over the surface. Naturally, Kenton couldn’t resist exploring. He climbed onto the branches, made his way up onto the grassy shoreline, and investigated everything around him. Then we discovered something else. Snails! Big ones! Ruby absolutely loved watching them slowly emerge from their shells. We gently picked them up, took a closer look, and returned them to the water.
As I watched my children exploring, something struck me. This was exactly what I loved doing when I was a little girl. Growing up, my parents had acres of land behind our house. There was a pond where we could swim and woods where we could build forts. I spent every possible moment outside. Exploring. Creating. Building. Dreaming.
Those woods and that pond were so much more than places to play. They were where my imagination came alive. Where ordinary afternoons turned into grand adventures. Where stories were created, forts were built, and memories were made with friends and family.
Looking back, I truly believe so much of my creativity and imagination was born in those woods and around that pond. We didn’t need much. Just a little curiosity, some imagination, and the freedom to explore.
And now? Now I get to experience that same magic with my own children. What an incredible privilege that is. To be out on the water with Kenton and Ruby, watching them ask questions, discover new things, and create adventures of their own. To see the same wonder in their eyes that I remember feeling as a little girl means more to me than I can put into words.
As we continued paddling along the shoreline, Kenton, wearing his water shoes, trudged through the shallow water searching for interesting rocks and whatever other treasures he might discover. And guess what he found? A nickel from 1985! You would have thought we had discovered buried treasure! He was so excited, and I couldn’t help but smile. A simple nickel, sitting in the water for who knows how long, had become the highlight of his adventure. And isn’t that one of the most beautiful things about childhood? The ability to find something extraordinary in the most ordinary places.
Eventually, the clouds began rolling across the sky, and the temperature started to drop. As we made our way back, we watched seagulls gliding gently through the sky. The water remained peaceful, and I found myself wanting to hold onto the moment just a little longer. Once we were back in the car, Kenton insisted we needed to make one more stop. Our favorite crawdad-hunting spot! After all, the season was coming to an end, and according to Kenton, we simply couldn’t let it pass without one more trip to the creek.
So, with our nets still in hand, we grabbed our bucket and made our way down to the water. And wouldn’t you know it? Within seconds, Kenton had already caught his first crawdad! He was in heaven. That boy could spend hours in a creek, turning over rocks, searching through the water, and catching crawdads. And if I’m being completely truthful, I could spend hours watching him. We found little ones. We found big ones. We searched, explored, and celebrated every new discovery. Kenton was completely in his element. His happy place. No distractions. No schedule. No place he needed to be. Just a boy, a net, a bucket, and a creek full of possibilities.
As I stood there watching him, I couldn’t help but think about how much I wanted to remember this moment. My son, free and wild, doing exactly what he loves to do. There’s something so beautiful about watching your children discover the things that bring them joy. Not because someone told them to enjoy it. Not because it’s an organized activity or something they’re supposed to be doing. But simply because it’s what makes them happy. And in that moment, I saw so much of my own childhood reflected in him. That same curiosity. That same excitement over the smallest discoveries. That same desire to spend every possible moment outside. The freedom to get dirty, lose track of time, and let your imagination lead the way. And now, here I was, watching my son experience that same kind of joy. I don’t know if Kenton will remember every crawdad he caught or every afternoon we spent exploring the creek. But I hope he remembers how it felt. The excitement of discovering something new. The joy of being outside with nowhere else he needed to be. And I hope he always carries a little bit of that wild, curious boy with him, no matter how old he gets. Because one day, these afternoons will become memories. And when I think back on this season of our lives, I know this is what I’ll want to remember. My boy, standing in a creek with a net in his hand, completely happy just being himself. And me, lucky enough to be there to witness it.
To say that these are some of my favorite moments with my children would be an understatement. They’re growing up so quickly. And I know there will come a day when our afternoons look different. When they have their own plans, their own adventures, and their own places to explore. But right now, I get to be part of their adventures. I get to paddle alongside them, search for treasures, and watch their imaginations come alive. And I don’t want to take a single moment of that for granted. Because these are the moments that matter. Not the elaborate plans. Not the expensive experiences. Not the things we can buy. But the time we spend together. The laughter. The curiosity. The adventures that unfold when we simply allow ourselves to explore. And the beautiful realization that some of the very best parts of my childhood are now becoming part of theirs.
Maybe that’s what I love most about these days. I’m not just making memories with my children. I’m giving them the freedom to make memories of their own. And someday, when they’re grown, I hope they’ll look back on these ordinary afternoons with the same love and appreciation I have for the ones that shaped my childhood. Because long after the paddleboards are put away, the nets are packed up, and the seasons have changed, I hope what remains is the feeling. The feeling of being free. The feeling of being loved. And the beautiful feeling of knowing that sometimes, the simplest moments become the memories we treasure most.
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