We don’t travel a lot (we seldom have a working car and when we do, well it is tiny and awkward and not very reliable and, well, you get the picture.) However, we live in Western PA and not far from the 13 acres where I grew up. We spend a great deal of time there playing in or on the pond, in the woods, exploring nature, and learning to do handyman sorts of things with my dad who spends most of his time there fixing up the cottage where I was born.
In the winter is is good for ice skating (on the big pond–the little pond has more water running in and isn’t so great for ice skating.) 
You have to shovel the snow off the ice daily or it gets soft and hard to skate on.
It is also good for sled riding as there are multiple hills (we live not far from the Allegheny Mountains and there are hills EVERYWHERE.)
We see lots of animals–turkey, squirrels (grey and red), chipmunks, muskrats, moles, and tons of birds.
Turkey
Squirrel
In the spring it is the place to look for new growth, baby animals, and enjoy seeing the birds migrating back.
Looking for various plants.
Woods.
Mushrooms.
The kids spend a lot of time in the spring and fall exploring and looking for plants they recognize that are good for various herbal remedies (like plantain which is excellent for bug bits).
In the summer it is the place for swimming, paddleboating, camping, exploring.
Paddle boating.
Swimming (and meeting some friendly fish.)
This is the big bass–it WILL bite your toes because it only eats hot dogs instead of the bread crumbs most of the fish like.
Exploring and imagining.
And after a summer spent swimming inthe pond, taking walks, fishing, and playing on the paddle boat comes fall.
And its colors
And the Canadian Geese who stop by by the 100′s.
And the other birds that stop for a while on their way south–like this swan who stayed for a whole month due to an injury.
Skipping stones
Building forts-the tiny version.
Building a full size version.
During that time the kids learn a lot about being seen and camouflage as there are plenty of hunters in our neck of the woods (including my mom and step dad.) This year they got to see a newly shot deer (my mom got it during archery season–Esther didn’t much appreciate that. 
) They also got to camp at the cottage due to work we were doing at the house.
The Hobbit
Dragon spell
Wow! What a wonderful place to be. In all seasons you are able to explore and be with nature. I love it. Cathy
I loved seeing all 4 seasons. I have always thought PA was a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
We love this stop on the Virtual Field Trip! You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. This year we will try our hand at the big/small forts, too!
I love these pictures. It makes me feel peaceful. But I would never venture into the woods–poison ivy jumps out and grabs me even if I stay on the path.
I’ve made my children paranoid, I’m afraid. But I would sit in the grass or on the dock and just love being there.
Thanks so much for being on our field trip!!
beautiful photo of the woods and of the swan…