After a day spent indoors, we were all in need of some motion outside. A damp, gray sky and cold air conspired to keep us inside — we all are fighting illness in one stage or another — but the promise of a warming walk won out.

We headed downtown, to Falls Park, with its cantilevered bridge and short, riverside paths. It had been months — probably over a year — since we’d been to that particular park, and it seemed there was a new attraction there: an entire fleet of bench swings.

And the Girl made a valiant effort to swing on every single one.

The swings certainly weren’t the only attraction. There was a fascinating tangle of roots,

several dozen rocks begging to be tossed into the swift current,

and an alligator that sneaked up on Mama and almost gobbled her up for a late afternoon snack.

Eventually, everyone needs a late afternoon snack, though.