The dawn had just broken over the horizon of trees, birds were chirping and there were two deer having breakfast in my backyard when I woke up. It was a perfect morning.

I got dressed, got my children dressed and lavishly applied sunscreen and bug repellant on them (deet-free of course). We piled in the car with me patting myself on the back for providing a few more moments of uninterrupted sleep for my husband. The children and I were going on an adventure.

In a matter of minutes we pulled into a parking lot and made our way to the entrance of Martha Songbird Wildlife Management Area. It was about a minute into the walk when I realized I'd made a terrible mistake. I was being attacked. Mosquitoes the size of pterodactyls came in droves to take part in the breakfast buffet I'd so kindly brought to their doorstep. I'd forgotten to apply bug repellant on myself. We had to skedaddle. Immediately.

So, 10 minutes after leaving our house I drove my team back home feeling defeated and in no mood to drive back. I took back my pat on the back and made plans to return during the middle of the day when I would battle the sun, a less formidable opponent and an ally in keeping the mosquitoes at bay.

It was a million degrees when we returned to with bug repellant and sun screen applied, water bottle in hand and far less enemy aircraft to ward off. Despite the heat, a canopy of branches provided an appreciated coolness as we walked down the beaten paths.

If you haven't been, Martha Songbird Wildlife Management Area is practically smack in the middle of post, like our own little Central Park only without the manicured lawns and with some extra furry friends. It is named Martha after the last passenger pigeon who died in 1914. It is home to many types of trees and wildlife.

"It used to be a park area before it became what it is now with mowed grass and trees," said Glen Wampler, natural resources administrator. "The person in charge at the time wanted to designate an area for wildlife. It's not a park whatsoever. It's a piece of wild in the cantonment area."

The wild is not easy to miss as we walked through the 10 acres of purposely untouched woods. Tree branches lay where they fell, grass grew high and as we walked into a clearing we spotted two deer enjoying lunch (perhaps they were the same two deer from breakfast). I raised my camera to take a photo, only to realize I left the battery and camera's memory card at home (thankfully my generous 9-year-old son allowed me to use his camera while simultaneously scolding me on my lack of preparation, "really, you should try to be more prepared when you're doing work things," he tells me. Thanks honey.).

While the path is clear to make out and easy to use, there are areas that could use a little tidying up.

Wampler tells me there was a time when the upkeep of the area was the responsibility of a unit that has long since left and these days the maintenance of the paths is left up to volunteers.

I don't know how often anyone volunteers but the paths and bridges are easy to move through and littered along the path were plenty of benches to sit down and enjoy nature.

Despite the proximity to roads, it was fairly quiet as we walked. Occasionally we heard the sound of children laughing at a nearby park, but mostly we listened to the sound of our feet on the path.

After about 30 minutes of pointing out deer tracks and raccoon tracks, we came across one that looked like skunk tracks and decided it was time to head out.

The area is free to explore and unlike the other areas, does not have operating hours, however, Wampler stresses the importance of practicing wildlife safety. Because the area is intentionally left to grow naturally, it is home to many creatures, some friendly and others less than friendly so it is not advised to go exploring in the dark.

Those who are interested in volunteering can call Wampler at 580-442-4324.