A Quiet Walk around the lake sometimes means taking a wrong turn

I went on a walk this morning pushing Eli in the stroller at Elk/Beaver Lake. I decide not to go all the way around the lake, and instead take a turn onto a trail I haven't been on before. I walk past a picnic bench that is knee deep in the water and I wish Eli was big enough for gumboots and splashing. I know M and J would have pretended that bench was a boat and been entertained for minutes, possibly even hours. I continue walking until I see another trail that appears to head back in the direction of Elk Lake. I walk a fair ways as the trail narrows. There are no footsteps, only horse hooves in the mud. The sun is glistening through the trees. This section of trail is quiet compared to the hustle bustle of the common trail around the lake. As it continues to narrow and get muddier I realize that the trek back to Elk lake is only going to get more difficult. I end up breaking through the bush (with the stroller) into the large field of grass (and muddy potholes) and making my way (with the stroller I remind you) across this muddy potholed field for the half hour it takes me to get back to the common trail. It was an adventurous morning!

(As I pushed the stroller off the muddy field and back onto the common trail I felt my arm muscles tighten and I thought.... this is way more fun than working out at the gym!)