Prairie Walk

Now is the time of year when Ben and I start to explore different prairies around the area.  We were in Chicagoland over the weekend so on Sunday we visited the Schulenberg Prairie at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL.  I've enjoyed identifying wild flowers and trees ever since assembling my leaf and flower collections for eighth grade science class, but Ben has taught me more about specific prairie plants.  Some of my favorites are the cup plant and compass plant, both so functional, as well as the butterfly milkweed, purple coneflower, and spiderwort.  Prairie walks are so relaxing and they give me a chance to focus as I find and name the plants.  We're planning another prairie walk Father's Day weekend (Ben's request) closer to Milwaukee.  Vera rides up high in the backpack carrier.  It's a simple family activity.  After the walk we headed to the kids garden on the main grounds where Vera had fun splashing in a little waterway and watching all the big kids run around, climb, and move rocks.  We made it to the car just before the rain.  It was the perfect day.