A year and a half ago, when we were shopping for our current Sudden Valley home, we visited house after house. Then, we found ‘THE ONE’. The first time I sat on the perfectly staged couch in the living and looked out into the 100′s of acres of protected forest across the street that backs up to Stimpson Family Nature Preserve and it’s hiking trails, I was sold!

I didn’t have to twist Brandon’s arm.

A year later “I hike in the woods” has become a favorite past time of Hayden’s. And Stimpson, by far, his favorite playground.

With just over four miles of groomed trails and rolling hills surrounded by thick green forest, two ponds and lots of lush wetlands: Stimpson is a toddler’s pinecone-collecting, stick-throwing, stump- hopping, wildlife-viewing, hill-sprinting, hide-and-go-seek playing wonderland.

Hayden’s favorite route is to start from the main parking lot and head out to the Geneva Pond Loop. This is about a 2.2-mile round-trip, if you don’t include the toddler ‘wander walking’ and hill repeats. Hayden likes to run down steep little hills again and again and again yelling, “FAST!” as he sprints down.

Hayden first hiked the entire loop last summer with Mama and Papa.

Hayden, Mama and Papa at Geneva Pond…

“FAAAST!”

Nature’s Balance Beam

Hop!

Looking for Beaver at Geneva Pond