Lodi Lake Nature Trail

As I sat down at my computer today, I found this hike a bit more difficult to write about.  Finally it hit me - Lodi Lake is far too familiar.  I have walked this trail many, many times.  Growing up in Lodi and being the daughter of a Lodi Parks & Recreation supervisor, it was impossible not to.  I know every twist and turn of the paths almost by heart. 

I can remember when the park was home to tepees (before vandals insisted on burning them down.  Repeatedly) and possibly before the outdoor theater was erected.  I remember as a kid thinking the small pond in the back of the nature area was called Hog Lake.  It's close - Pig Lake is the name.  I can recall a trip out to fish on the bank of the Mokelumne River and using chicken livers as bait, and several trips to have a picnic lunch and feed bread to the ducks and geese (often followed quickly by being chased by said ducks and geese after my sandwich was finished).  

This hike is actually pretty perfect for taking along kids.  When we grow up, we sometimes forget to see the wonder in things and see only the world as it is.  We stop seeing things as they might be, according to our imaginations.  Hiking with kids brings this lost wonder back.  



As my munchkin hikers and I walked through the all-too-familiar park, memories of my time there came back to me.  Walking on the hill bordering the park, then along the top of the concrete barrier - "Okay, but you have to hold my hand, alright?" - and finally being confronted by the "forest" that is the Lodi Lake Nature Trail.  

Starting out on the hike.

Questions, surely the same ones that I asked once upon a time, came flying in my direction: Is this the woods?  Are there skunks?  What's that noise - is it a snake?  Can I pick the flower?  Can we pet the squirrel?



Never pet the squirrels.



My answers to these questions were, for the most part, unimportant.  Except for the question about the squirrel, the questions were simply a means to expand their little imaginations, and soon there were stories made about what it might be like if a skunk DID come up to us, and for a little while, every vine became an imaginary snake slithering about.  I "saw" more on this hike than during any I have done in a long time.  

The kids show me something in the tree....



Turns out, cameras don't have
very good imaginations.

Kids get much more excited about things, too.  While we walked we came upon Pig Lake, covered in algae and muck.  Instead of being disgusted at the stagnant water, the kids delighted in throwing sticks and adding some movement to the motionless expanse of green, even for just a moment.  Looking over a small bridge to the water in a ditch below, tiny minnows became exciting fish whose movements enthralled the tiny onlookers.  Most adults we passed rarely took a second (or first) look at most of what they passed.  They were likely in a similar situation as I was, familiar with the area to such a degree that it held little intrigue any longer. 

One of the nooks we peered into

Hidden nooks and crannies have the best photo ops.

As I began to wonder how much I had missed over the years, the answer appeared in the form of a deer, standing yards away in the middle of a group of trees.  How many times had I been out here and never seen one?  I knew they occasionally made appearances, but of all the times throughout my visits, never once had I crossed paths with one.  That I knew of, anyhow.  As I stared at the buck, quietly signaling to the kids to take a look, I began to think that maybe I had.  I just probably didn't pay any attention.  



Yep, been here the whole time.  - Deer

 Our simple little walk turned into a near two-hour adventure due to our willingness to explore every side trail, each hidden nook and cranny, and all the trail signs (that weren't covered in graffiti).  The kids got to meander and learn about the local plant and wildlife, both through the placards I read to them as well as firsthand.  And I quite enjoyed myself as well.  In addition to seeing the world through fresh eyes, it is so unbelievably rewarding to hear a simple "This is so fun!" and have a bright little face smile up at you.


Mokelumne River

Yep, you should definitely take the kids out on this hike.  

For a map of this hike, click here.