Lady Bug Girls

About two years ago, my good friend Val and her sweet tot Eli went searching for ladybugs in the Redwood Regional Park. When I read her post (http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/01/ladybugsdefinitely-plural.html), I was immediately inspired to visit these dainty and delicate creatures. I had to see them with my own eyes. And of course, I wouldn't go without my gals. A hike through the redwoods on the hunt for ladybugs would be an adventure. I have a special affinity for ladybugs; one of my nicknames for Havana is ladybug and whenever any of us finds one we get all giddy with excitement. They really are such wonderful little creatures.

 Well, it only took us two years to get there but it was well worth the wait. And it turned out that Papa was able to join us. He even invited a friend from work and his family.

Val's post was instrumental in planning our outing but we ended up going a different trail. We started at the Skyline entrance and took the Streamline Trail down and the Prince Trail to the Ridge Trail on the way back. All said it was just under 3 hours (with play time and snack time). The kids had a blast, the day was warm and bright, the redwoods magical and mystical and the ladybugs a bit surreal. There were so many...a gazillion we decided. This was one adventure will remember.

Havana with her new friend Alex. Havana, who usually doesn't like to walk much surprised us all by walking almost the entire 3 miles. There was a brief rest period in the wagon but for the most part ladybug girl held her own. I was very proud of her.

About 1/4 mile down the trail we came upon a whole heap of ladybugs. This was quite the surprise. We were not expecting to see any until we reached the Prince Trail, about 1.2 miles in. We could have stopped there but we just had to march on!

An opportunity to Be in the redwood a gift; they are simply magnificent.

Havana was playing LadyBug Girl, as she ran down the path!

Almost there.....

Wow! I had never seen expected that there would be so many.

Amara couldn't help herself from scooping them up, again and again. We did have a discussion about being gentle with  these tiny, fragile creatures. I asked her how she would feel is she were scooped by suddenly. That got her thinking and she was then very tender in the way she handled them.

The girls taking a break in the sun post ladybug girl visit.