Short But Sweet

April 18, 2026
Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park, Madera County
Total distance walked: 1.25 miles

Today’s nature hike was short but sweet. As we stepped onto the trail, the morning felt awake.

The grass was green, little white butterflies drifted across the path, and bees hummed in the pretty purple vetch—something Alden did not appreciate.

Birds were everywhere. We spotted acorn woodpeckers, a great blue heron flying toward the pond, a hawk, blackbirds, and California quail. The trail was flat, and the temperature was perfect both in the shade and in the sun.

As we walked, the kids began noticing things. They pointed out flowers they recognized—orange fiddleneck, white popcorn, and little red maids (Aubrey’s favorite).

They asked about the blue flowers that grew here and there in the tall grass, bachelor’s button.

Bachelor’s Button

Bachelor’s Button

When we reached the stretch of trail where a mountain lion had been seen, they drew close, held my hands, and grew quieter.

We walked above China Creek as it wound through the park’s oak woodlands. A flutter of quail startled us, maybe because mountain lions were still on our minds.

A few minutes later the kids were back to exploring, taking my camera and photographing trees and anything else that caught their eye.

Aubrey spotted a bench and ran over to sit. From there, we wandered through the old apple orchard—though there aren’t any apple trees left now.

Apple Orchard trail.

By the time we looped back to the car, morning had given way to noon. The kids mentioned they were hungry, and so was I.

We had lunch out and then I returned them home. Today’s adventure wasn’t a long hike, but it gave us everything we needed. Sometimes the simplest trails offer the sweetest days.