We started out with simple intentions. Each of us had a grocery bag to fill with trash that we knew we would find on our walk. We grabbed the dogs and off we went!
We didn't even make it out of our own alleyway. All four bags filled and we hadn't yet made it two houses down the road.
This hat had a smell so evil I cannot even begin to accurately describe it to you. Just know that it was vile enough to make vomit flow.
So, we deposited our already filled bags and traded for new ones, deciding not to clean anything else up until we reached the park and trails. We never would have left our alley.
Our bags were already filling up at the playground, before we even hit the trails. Sparrow was not impressed.
Inari found something interesting...
Way up on a footpath well off the main trail, Inari found a pile of trash. Cups and cans.
The local drug addicts, at it again. This one I did not allow the kids to touch, of course, and called it in to the SHARPS team. Will they be able to find it using my description of it's where-abouts, near Devil's Rock on the Miller Creek Trail? I hope so.
The secondary reason for our walk, we left message stones for people to find. In woods full of heroine and meth addicts, who knows? Maybe one of them needs that message right now.
I'll elaborate on the stones more later in my 
Sparrow expertly hopped stones halfway across the creek to a tiny island to retrieve this big shoe and gel insert. She was rightly disgusted.
Little Willow, making it as fun as she can, using her stick to carry her heavy bag.
Left to right: Inari, chill as always. Sparrow, absolutely disgusted by how careless people are. Little Willow, angry about how much we found.
We did a huge clean up on these trails in the spring, several trips. And it's just as bad now as it was then.
As we were leaving I hear Willow's little voice. "Mama, may we greet the tree?"
This is tradition for us, communing with the elders. Palm and forehead pressed, feel it with your heart.
I almost missed it, feeling sorry for myself over the pain in my feet.
Never miss your chance to pay your respects to the elders. This elder is a Grandmother Cottonwood. She's magnificent.
Little Willow and Sparrow both told her how beautiful she is and how much they love her.
Is there anything more precious and wonderful as the kindness and love of children?
I hope you had a wonderful day, love to you!
