Nature Reserve with Shinko

Sitting on the sign for the park...

Of course he had to climb a tree

We have been trying to keep Shinko busy and show him everything we can in the area. We went on a little "hike" as Neacel calls it. It's really just a paved walk at a nature reserve, either way its really pretty. Shinko was a little concerned about other animals there, but we only ran into a dog.

Shinko loved the open area, and when he saw a tree, what do you think that monkey did? Climb it of course! He wanted to sit up there forever, but we couldn't let him, rain was coming and we were all starving! We just walked a shorter trail since it's been a while, but Neacel insisted on taking Shinko for the "hike."

The best picture of my monkey's with Shinko

Neacel kept running ahead of us, Broden enjoyed a nice stroll sitting in the stroller, and Shinko just moved around from person to person. Trying to get the best view of everything.

All in all, a perfect little "hike." This is something we do as a family a few days a week once the weather is nice. There are TONS of trails here in the Akron area, and so much to see. It's the one place I feel comfortable letting my boys go wild. They can just run free, and I just let them, feeling relaxed and enjoying nature.



Remember, if you want to have Shinko for a week go on over to Sock Monkey Trails, and contact Lynda.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

A few weeks ago, I noticed a posting on Facebook from As You Wish Creations wanting to have a sock monkey named Shinko visit all 50 states, and he was looking for host families. I thought this was an adorable idea and immediately wrote Lynda from Sock Monkey Trails about having this adorable little monkey come visit us.

All Aboard!

Shinko was able to join us on our first adventure on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Its a 3 1/2 hour train ride through the valley. Since we had never been on it, I packed a diaper, wipes, a bottle of water, and a bottle of milk. I didn't think about snacks because I keep a few main ones in my purse (trail mix, raisins, and some sweets). When we first got there we noticed everyone had bags full of snacks. Neacel, Brody and Shinko were already starting to say that they were hungry. I guess I should have packed more. Shinko got away for a minute  while we were waiting in line to board. Next thing we know he was sitting on a bar on the outside of the train. Crazy silly monkey!

Neacel and Shinko waiting to board

Shinko just hanging around

We got on the train and they were thrilled. Neacel and Shinko couldn't stop smiling and looking out the window. They would bounce around the seats and then stare out the window again for a while.There was plenty of trees to look at, not to mention the eagles nest close to the train yard. Luckily, there was a snack car so we filled the kids and monkey with some not so healthy, but yummy food. Pizza, carrots and celery, sweet tarts, fruit snacks, and some sour cream and onion chips. We didn't hear any complaints from them though. Shinko was sitting in his seat but then disappeared again. No one saw where he went. Then we looked above us....he had noticed the bars overhead to hold bags and what not, and must have thought they were monkey bars. What monkey could resist monkey bars or something that looks just like them??? Not Shinko.

Here are some other pictures from our train ride:

Mommy, Neacel and Shinko

Neacel and Shinko enjoying the veiw

Shinko waiting for lunch

Shinko sitting on Broden's head

Shinko has been a wonderful guest so far. Very polite, doesn't make many messes, plays well with the boys and always listens. I will admit that bananas keep going missing but I'm not going to point any fingers. If your interested in having Shinko come visit you for a week contact Lynda from Sock Monkey Trails. You get him for a week and get to show him a wonderful time in your area.