Potomac Overlook Park, 8/13/11

An hour into our drive home from sleep-away camp on Friday afternoon, my son Liam asked if we could go toad catching with Zach & Kevin.  He missed them.  He had only just spent a week with them away from home at camp.  He “needed” to see them.  Lucky for him, the feeling was mutual.

We coordinated picking up his buddies Saturday afternoon, just in time to get to Potomac Overlook when the skies opened for a true summer downpour.  They could have cared less!  We hiked a short trail under dense trees from the parking lot to the amphitheatre, hoping for some relief from the rain.  The effort was optimistic.  We made it to the frog pond and peeked around a little, until the naturalist advised us of a great toad catching spot.

Heading down Donaldson run, soaked to the bone, we realized that the rains had finally stopped, sun was peeking through trees, and we were going to catch a toad.  In hand we had the plastic clamshell container Zach’s mom had given to me.  Zach had the go-ahead to bring home a toad.

Instant success!  We found a big warty toad and a new member of Zach’s family!  Sandy was a hit and undoubtedly had the time of her life (his life?) with the boys.  Please note that after a sleep-over that evening, Zach made a good decision in relocating Sandy to Long Branch Nature Center, back into nature.

Climbing back up the trail to the Nature Center, we found a cool box turtle, more creepy crawly things, and hit the frog pond again.  There we played with the frogs a bit, and once Liam inadvertantly catapulted one of the little guys, we called it a day.

The boys had a blast, but I had an even better time.  I see in my future three great hiking partners, and I look forward to our next adventure.