Fontenelle Forest, Pond Hike

 I visited Fontenelle Forest for a hike.  I drove to the Wetlands parking.  This is quite and adventure with lots of hills and washboarded gravel road.  I saw an barred owl fly into the branches of a tree on my way but couldn't get a picture.  However there was nice parking.  I started south on the boardwalk, and then took the pond hike which is relatively short.  This trail did go past a dry pond com0leted with a dock.  It merged onto the stream trail and this ended at the marsh trail.  I crossed over the railroad track at the end of the marsh trail and entered into the Mormon Hollow trail.  I went up about 100 yearsd before turning around.  I went back the way I came except a small board walk loop.  

Weekend of Activities: February 6-8

Our weekend started with going to the kid's school to watch Hayley cheer lead.  Then to Charity's for dinner, salmon and rice.  For movie night we watched Father of the Bride with Steve Martin.

Saturday  I headed west to Buena Vista High School to get a picture of the tree of life mural and across the street is the Cold Springs informational bulletin.  I also visited South Omaha Library.

That afternoon we visited Fontenelle forest and did the boardwalk hike. This hike gives a good view of the Missouri River and even tall buildings in Omaha.  You can see the top of the bridge by Charity's house.  

Kids enjoyed the playground.

That evening we went to downtown Omaha to the Slow Down Bar for Charity's concert performance with Sing Omaha.  She is in the women's choir.  The master chorale also sang.  They sang pop songs, each group sang six and then one together.  I enjoyed "Listen to the Music" "Man Eater" and "Summer Breeze."  It is very crowded downtown, and especially in the bar.  Parking was also very hard.  We also visited the Cone Flower and I ate butter brickle ice cream.  It is as good as advertised.  

Sunday I lead the music in church for the first time with this new calling.  We went to dinner with the Anders and I learned of some new places to visit in Papillion.  

Charity's Youngest at Fontenelle Garden December 2025

  We like to go to Fontanelle Forrest to the basement where they have bird watching.  They place feeders just outside the window.  There is also a nice play area.  There are a few small animals in the basement, snakes and turtles.  The kids also like the playground.  There is also a nice aviary with birds of prey that have been rescued.

Fontanelle Forest in Bellevue

 Fontanelle Forest is an are with interesting history.  It is where Lucien Fontanelle had his trading post and he raised his children.  Now it is a wildlife habitat area.  There is a nice playground for the little ones, and an aviary for birds of prey who have needed rescuing.