“Enchanted worlds still exist because the child within us never dies. The doorways may be more obscure, but we can still seek them out. There are still noble adventures to undertake. There are still trees that speak and caverns that lead to nether realms. There will always be faeries and elves within nature because they will always be dancing within our hearts.”


~Ted Andrews~

The Thursday Home School Workshop.... Fairies!

Earth Day at The Cabin Path

Our workshops began at 9 with a walk to the labyrinth cove.  We were looking for different kinds of trees, and collecting leaves for an art project. Along the way we saw wildflowers, birds, caterpillars, dragonflies, tadpoles, a Great Blue Heron, and it was a simply beautiful day to be outside!

Back to the Gathering Room, we made leaf mobiles.  After taking leaf rubbings, we traced the leaves and cut them out.  We had also collected our sticks for the top of the mobile, so we added yarns and ribbons and other seeds and found objects.

Leaf Mobiles:

We then hiked to the Native American Prayer Tree.

At the Prayer Tree, we talked about trees, and each person told about their favorite tree.  I also told the group an American Indian story about trees.

A hike back to the Gathering Room, we were met by another group that joined us!  We then had lunch and rested up for our afternoon hike.

A labyrinth walk and a stop by the Native American Rock Circle.

Earth Day...a day enjoying the outside wonders.  The workshop groups already realize that the earth needs a little help.  We see every week how important it is to preserve and protect the plants, trees, and animals, and we know that everything in nature is connected.  We celebrated Earth Day simply enjoying it!  I think all of us had fun!

   

Happy Earth Day...from The Cabin Path!

Another Home School Thursday!

 "Water" was the topic, and an important one at The Cabin Path.  Our lake's spillway flows into a creek that flows into Camp Creek...that flows into the Chattahoochee River, so what we do and don't do affects the river and the environment downstream! I explained that we are careful with all chemicals.  I only use poisons to control fireants, an invasive insect with a painful bite, and we don't use lawn chemicals that would flow into the water.

Water is important to wildlife!  We frequently see deer, fox, rabbits, squirrels, beaver..and many birds. As part of a working wildlife habitat, it is a vital key ingredient.  On our walk, we stopped to see if the tadpoles had appeared..and we weren't disappointed!

These tadpoles will grow into frogs that will help to control the mosquito population..and they will also be a food source for many other animals...the connection and continuing chain of life in nature!

Another discovery while looking at the tadpoles...a dragonfly nymph!  They are a stage of the developing dragonfly.

A little further down the trail, we discovered the shell of a Canada Goose egg. It had been food for a coyote or hungry racoon...and we also found a shedded snake skin.

Our walk also led to the discovery of a winged shaped seed...a maple wing!  We matched the seed with the leaf..and we watched as the wind scattered new maple trees all around!

Water helps the trees and plants grow, too!

Native Azalea

 The lake is a nesting place for many birds, too. Do you see the Great Blue Heron in the center of this picture below??

Look a little closer....

and...our resident beaver is also a part of our habitat.  He/she has constructed their own private pond at the upper end of the lake!  I was amazed to see the size of him..he is much larger that I expected..at least 40 lbs!

The new pond is a home to many turtles, frogs, insects, and a nesting place for the wood ducks. We are watching to see if we discover any baby beavers!

We have two new families of Canada Geese....despite the munching of the coyotes and/or racoons!

Water plays an important role in our lives. These are some more facts that we learned about water:

• There is the same amount of water on Earth as there was when the Earth was formed. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank.

• Water is composed of two elements, Hydrogen and Oxygen. 2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen = H2O.

• Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% for all of humanity’s needs — all its agricultural, residential, manufacturing, community, and personal needs. (we need to treat it as a gift!)


• 75% of the human brain is water and 75% of a living tree is water.

• A person can live about a month without food, but only about a week without water.

• Water is part of a deeply interconnected system. What we pour on the ground ends up in our water, and what we spray into the sky ends up in our water.

Important lessons for all of us!

 Thursday Home School Workshop:  BIRDS!

Have you ever wondered how a little tiny bird builds a nest for its babies..how it stands up to rain and wind...how it finds all of the materials to construct it with its beak ...how it knows what tree will protect them...how it finds the right foods for its babies...well, we took a walk to answer some of these questions....

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April Fool's Day!!!

What to do for the Home School Thursday?? I knew that we are always on the hunt for more wildflowers, so I thought I would test their observation skills. I constructed a wildflower..a REALLY RARE wildflower!

I then went to feed the horses.  This morning, I had my usual greeting party....  the Cabin Cats, the horses, geese, and a few deer!

After feeding the horses and putting out the hay, I walked around to pick the perfect place to "plant" my rare wildflower so that my home school workshop would find it......

My Cabin Cats had to follow ...

I returned to the Gathering Room to wait for the workshop group to arrive!

I knew that several families were on vacation this week, so I knew we would have less than usual.  To my surprise, one family arrived with rakes and works gloves to help with trails! Part of our day was turned into a Trail Work Day!!!!

We did stop and see a few discoveries along the way.....

                                          Sprouting Fern

Ants and       Sticky mud!

The trail home had the hidden "RARE WILDFLOWER"..... Alex discovered it!

A wonderfully warm, sunny day....trail work done, discoveries made, and even time to water the seeds that are now sprouting!  The sunflowers are really growing, and the tomatoes are beginning to sprout, too!

A fun..April Fool's Day at The Cabin Path!