This week, my mom and I took the boys to visit Fort Ancient Earthworks and Nature Preserve. This National Historic Landmark is what Reed would call "a medium drive" from our house and is something we were able to do in a morning. However, with older kiddos, a family could easily spend an entire day exploring the museum, grounds, and hiking trails!
We toured the museum first. For a small fee we spent 45 minutes exploring the fantastic collection of artifacts, dioramas, timelines, and fossils. The dioramas were amazing! Reed loved the arrowheads, weapons, fish hooks, and the fact that Native American children did not have to wear pants. Sigh.
The collection worked chronologically from the Ice Age; to the American Indians who settled in Ohio; to the arrival of the Europeans, disease, and war; and then to the discovery and exploration of the Fort Ancient site itself.
The museum was kid-friendly... with the exception of a giant mural of a European getting scalped. Luckily I spotted it ahead of time and distracted accordingly.
"Oh, my goodness! Is that a real tomahawk over there?!"
Sheesh.
The collection worked chronologically from the Ice Age; to the American Indians who settled in Ohio; to the arrival of the Europeans, disease, and war; and then to the discovery and exploration of the Fort Ancient site itself.
The museum was kid-friendly... with the exception of a giant mural of a European getting scalped. Luckily I spotted it ahead of time and distracted accordingly.
"Oh, my goodness! Is that a real tomahawk over there?!"
Sheesh.
The grounds of Fort Ancient were mysterious and breathtaking. The woods were quiet and dark, and the earthworks were visible from almost anywhere we walked or hiked. We took one short hike to see a couple of the special stone capped mounds, and I had no trouble doing the walk with Barrett on my hip and Reed chattering ahead with my mom.
After our walk, we drove to an overlook/picnic area and spread out a blanket for lunch. At nine months, lunch is currently a full-contact sport with Bear. Lunch on a blanket should be its own Olympic event.
One. Big. MESS.
One. Big. MESS.
We had such fun laughing and talking while eating in the shade and looking around at the woods and earthworks. Reed and Barrett provide plenty of live entertainment!
I am so excited to take these two out-and-about this summer and learn and grow together. I sure have missed having adventures, and now that Ohio is opening up after COVID, we are ready to explore!
While we are on the subject of adventures...
book recommendation time!!
While we are on the subject of adventures...
book recommendation time!!
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Greta Eskridge's Adventuring Together. This book persuaded me to get out and explore this summer, even with a little baby. |
In Adventuring Together, Greta shares her experiences as a not-so-outdoorsy mom adventuring with her family, and emphasizes that getting out and exploring together is one of the best ways to make memories and relationships that last. I am planning on embarking on at least one escapade per week this summer, so I will keep you posted on all of the adventures (and misadventures) as they come!
Any recommendations for adventuring with little ones? I would love to read them in the comments!