Word count 1118

Izusa was taking a walk in one of the larger parks she was off duty but she still liked taking walks to see the trees and flowers starting the bloom. Spring was perhaps her favorite times of year it wasn’t too hot nor was it normally too cold. Though this year it seemed abnormally on the chilly side. Thankfully, it hadn’t stopped the flowers from blooming at the entrance of the park tulips and tiger lilies were in full bloom. Further in the trees were slowly budding soon they would be back in full leafy green glory.

Her boots made soft thuds on the ground as she walked the brown gravel path, she was headed towards a small creek area she could watch the fish swim and walk down the creek to see if she could find anything interesting. Including old arrow heads, though she hadn’t found a ton since she’d been here, she was always hopeful she’d find one or two.

She was glad the sun was out as she made her way, she could hear the water trickle as she came to the top of the small incline that she had to walk to get to the creek. “Ah, it’s so nice here.” Izusa sat down on an old log looking around at her surroundings not many people were in this area which meant it was going to be easier to walk and look for arrow heads. The water was also just shallow enough at the edges she could look there as well to see if anything had been uncovered.

She would even pick up some of the neater shaped rocks that might look like they’d be hiding a secret. She’d bought a couple of tumbling kits she wanted to try out. She had a hiking bag she’d bring along that usually had a small lunch along with some trail mix and jerky for snacks. And water of course along with a juice or two that didn’t have to be refrigerated.

She pulled out some of the jerky to nibble on while she sat for a moment deciding which way she wanted to walk. Hm “Think I’ll head up the creek today, I believe I walked down last time.” She nodded and then finished off her jerky snack before heading up the creek. She hummed as she walked along occasionally stopping when a rock or something caught her attention to look at it. She picked up a smooth rock that almost looked like it could’ve been a biscuit if it wasn’t actually a rock. “Oh, this might be nice to tumble!” Izusa was excited at the idea to have something to try with her tumbling set.

She walked a bit more before stopping to look at some wild flowers, some were iris that had grown wild, might have been carried down the creek from another location. There were some other flowers as well some she couldn’t name but they were tiny cute purple and pink flowers. It wasn’t long before Izusa finally found something that might have been an arrowhead and she picked it up carefully inspecting it before dropping it into her bag.

“I’ll have to get someone to look at this.” She mused as she decided it was almost time for lunch. She could pick back up after she had something to nibble on and maybe a short nap after she had a blanket in her bag as well as her phone for a timer. She found a nice flat place with grass that didn’t look like it was full of ants and spread out the blanket. She settled down with her sandwich; this one was a peanut butter sandwich on home made bread. She pulled out some dried bananas and placed them on the sandwich after prying it open. She also had some dried strawberries to pair with her lunch. Izusa was nibbling as she watched nature all around her. A squirrel was running up a tree and she saw a bunny hop by as she sat there quietly. There were all kinds of birds as well that flew by, she could name a few like the Cardinal, Blue Jay and Sparrow. Though there were some she needed to study more about.

She noticed a few birds were stopping to eat some berries from a nearby shrub, though Izusa wasn’t sure what kind of berries it was off hand. She’d have to bring a book next time for berries to see if she could identify if they were safe for her to eat. She did recognize a dogwood and some crepe myrtle trees that were starting bloom both of those were really nice to just be able to sit and watch sway in the breeze with some of the small flower petals falling off in the gusts.

It was nice here. There was no hustle and bustle of the city, nothing to have to worry over being late or just stressed out because there were too many people around. It was quiet, it reminded her of home. Izusa sighed heavily. She did miss back home but Destiny City was where she lived now. Her aunt and uncle were here along with her little cousin who wasn’t so little anymore.

It was insane to think that her little cousin was as old as she was now, which was almost 21 and she needed to figure out what to get for her birthday which was coming up soon. Izusa sighed. Man, birthdays and presents time just flew, didn’t it?

Izusa shrugged softly and sighed, “Well at least she’s still easy to shop for. Anything stuffed animals or pastels she’ll be thrilled.” The woman chuckled softly for some reason Istas just seemed to adore anything that was a stuffed animal or a pastel color. Though it really did look delightful on her.

Izusa was so lost in thought she hadn’t noticed a squirrel skitter right up to her, the ranger stilled a bit further when she realized watching the squirrel sniff around and eventually settle itself right beside her. The woman seemed to think for a moment before softly reaching for a small pack of nuts that she had with her. Now, generally she’d never feed the animals but this was an opportunity she wasn’t going to pass up. Plus, she wasn’t on duty nor was anyone around her and she slipped a peanut out of the bag and onto the ground as an ‘oops’. She was watching to see if the squirrel would come up and pick it up.

She spent the rest of the hike after a short nap; looking for arrow heads still while pondering over what to get for her cousin’s birthday.