I made one last trip down to the creek bed before heading out for an appointment. The rocky area beside the new iris bed is a beginning. While not building a trail system per se, I'll probably extend the gravel a little in a couple of directions because we tend to walk around to the front or past the bird bath (the dogs have radio collars that keep them in the yard, but when we take walks I remove the collars and we always walk here across the grass and out).
My creek visit was quick because a rain storm was breathing down my neck, a few splats of rain hit, though it held off for a while. The counties west of here are under a tornado watch, so it is no longer safe to go in the creek (flash floods). But I got enough rocks to fill in over the top of the sand that I laid down in the area where I removed the turf and a little soil.
Interesting about those badges, Kat, and actually, quite a nice souvenir, whatever your party.
In this kind of weather I feel like cooking (pot roast tonight), and I'll do more to de-clutter the kitchen. It is already looking a lot better from efforts during the year, but I'm determined to completely clear off the big center counter except for a couple of essentials (the toaster and hot water kettle).