Michael and I wanted to spend some time outside, but we didn’t want to spend any money. I packed a picnic lunch and we headed to Mishawaka’s Riverwalk.

The geese had been contentedly standing on the falls, but proceeded to menace us when they realized we had food. They advanced on us like hungry zombies until Michael verbally threatened to bean one with his backpack. Go eat someone else’s chicken salad sandwiches!

There were only a few families with dogs and a few old men fishing in the midday sun. Smell that fresh St. Joe River air!

Michael and I headed down to the beach. And by beach, I mean garbage-strewn, loose rock covered patch of dirt. Michael picked up a seashell (rivershell?). I had no idea that the St. Joe had mollusks! We collected half a ziptop baggie of shells in all sizes and colors.

Michael tried to catch one of the many crayfish hanging out on the rocks in the shallows. They were too wiley and too quick.

This guy was, apparently, not fast enough.

The empty exoskeleton was completely intact. Poor guy. (Is anyone else thinking lobster?)
Collecting shells and studying water-dwelling creatures together turned our trip to the nearby Riverwalk into a day of wonder and discovery. (And left me craving a shrimp cocktail.)