Adventures

A Museum Without Walls Beacons You To Hike Cincinnati’s National Historic Landmark

March 4, 2019 by admin

Spring Grove Cemetery And Arboretum

If you like history and sculptures, then Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum is where you want to go for a spring hike in Cincinnati.

Spring Grove hosts over 1,200 species of trees, shrubs, and ornamentals. The collection continues to grow including a patents for new species. In fact, Spring Grove is more like a massive laboratory for universities, nurseries, and growers to test new species.

For more detailed information, Spring Grove is Hike #35 (pages 198-203) in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles Cincinnati.

One of the many statues memorializing a lost loved one at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. The paved drives make hiking with toddlers a lot easier.

Since the very beginning of the cemetery grounds extreme care has been given to creating a beautiful landscape.

One of the unique features of Spring Grove Cemetery is that all roads are gentle curves. This further enhances the aesthetic of the land.

However, my favorite feature of Spring Grove are the stunning sculptures at the memorials.

Beauty abounds throughout Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. Over 1000 species of trees, shrubs, and ornamentals decorate the grounds.

Gothic Architecture

While strolling the ground, look the Dexter mausoleum, which is a private family Gothic Revival mausoleum and chapel that was constructed around 1866. It is near the edge of Geyser Lake so you can also enjoy the views of the small lake.

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum has a Self-Guided Walking Tour that covers some of these locations.

If you love Gothic architecture, look no further than Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. Take your time looking at the Dexter Mausoleum and you’ll begin to see more of the fine details.

Johnny Appleseed

Sit for a while at the Johnny Appleseed statue and enjoy the serenity on this sunny spot which honors John Chapman.

His missionary work in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Kentucky changed the landscape and the people.

Chapman collected seeds from cider mills, grew the seeds into saplings, transplanted the saplings into nurseries, and maintained the nurseries. And, then distributed his crop throughout the region.

Visit Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum

There is a lot to see at Spring Grove and there are several hills whihc will help you stretch all of your muscles. Here is a map of Spring Grove.

For more detailed information, Spring Grove is Hike #35 (pages 198-203) in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles Cincinnati.

Take your time and enjoy the scenery, your company, and the day because a cemetery certainly puts your life in perspective.

Be thankful, rejoice, sing out loud, and hike whenever you can.

Popular Cincinnati Hiking Groups

March 1, 2019 by admin

Happiness, Connections, & Hiking

Hundreds of scientific studies show the benefits of hiking for not only your physical health but also your mental health. We humans crave being in nature and when we are deprived this green-forest-bathing experience – we get cranky.

Doctors are prescribing nature! Get your dose of nature bathing or forest bathing by taking a hike. Don’t let not having someone to hike with stop you. Join a hiking group or hike solo to be able to think or not – the choice is yours on the trail.

For more detailed information, on Fort Thomas Landmark Tree Trail (pages 308-312), Cox Arboretum MetroPark (pages 55-59), and California Woods Nature Preserve (pages 162-166) in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles Cincinnati.

Top 10 Health and Wellness Benefits of Hiking:

Decrease your stress levels
Increases your contentment.
Lowers your risk of heart disease.
Decreases your blood sugar levels.
Lowers your blood pressure.
Increases bone density.
Increases the strength of your leg and core muscles.
Increases your ability to balance.
Decreases your risk of mental health issues.
Increases your sense of well-being.
Bonus: Hiking makes you not want to smack people.

Don’t worry about being a slow hiker. There is a hiking group for every speed. (FYI I’m ridiculously slow because I’m constantly stopping and enjoying it all.)

However, for some hiking is a challenge because hiking alone is an obstacle to you getting more time in nature. You might not know where to hike, be able to find the time, or are afraid of hiking alone for safety reasons.

Hiking clubs and groups are a solution to a few of those hurdles.

Let’s get you on the trail!

Here are some local…wait for…you guessed it…hiking and walking clubs to get you started!

I can’t say enough nice things about the wonderful people who run the Tri-State Hiking Club of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Here is their official spiel: This regional non-profit group dedicated to creating a community of friends who enjoy hiking. Meet other fun people who love the outdoors as much as you do! Our group meets weekly for hikes. All are welcome from beginners to experts; locals to new transplants. Come experience the outdoors with us! We hike all around the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana area. Most members are from greater Cincinnati, Dayton, or Northern Kentucky.

Hiking with Baby or Little Ones?

HIking with your children is a perfect way to spend the day as well as rediscover the magic of being on nature.

Hike it Baby is a group of parents who regularly meet and hike together with their children.

Hiking and learning have never been more fun (makes me wish I was a kid again) than with the Free Forest School of Cincinnati

Cincinnati Area Hiking Clubs

Cincinnati Parks Foundation Hiking Club

Great Parks of Hamilton County Walking Club

Dayton Area Hiking Clubs

Hiking clubs are a great way to get outdoors, meet new people, and maybe make a friend or two.

Southwestern Ohio Hiking Clubs

Sierra Club International (Miami Group)

Buckeye Trail Association: Miami Rivers Chapter

The Miami Rivers Chapter of the Buckeye Trail Association

Oregonia, OH
703 Buckeye Trail Hikers

The Miami Rivers Chapter of the Buckeye Trail Association is the chapter for those who live near or along the Williamsburg, Loveland, Caesar Creek, and Troy sections of the Bu…

Next Meetup

Day Hike – Mt.Airy Forest with Cincinnati Parks Hiking Club

Wednesday, Mar 6, 2019, 4:30 PM
2 Attending

Check out this Meetup Group →

American Walkers’ Association of Greater Cincinnati

Hiking Challenges

There are several hiking challenges and hiking staff programs around. Start your hiking challenge with these two Cincinnati favorites.

Cincinnati Nature Center Hike for Your Health Challenge

Great Parks Hiking Staff Program

“The Hiking Staff Program requires that you hike seven different trails in the park district in a year. You then become eligible to purchase a wooden hiking staff for $3. Each year following, when you hike seven Great Parks’ trails, you are eligible to purchase an annual metal emblem for your hiking staff for $2 (limit one emblem per year). Additional emblems for the following parks may be purchased for $3.95: Glenwood Gardens, Miami Whitewater Forest, Shawnee Lookout, Sharon Woods, Winton Woods, Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve, Fernbank Park and Woodland Mound.”

Hiking Staff Program Form PDF

Winter Activities for Kids

January 13, 2019 by admin

Snow Day Adventures

Are the parks open? A lot of the parks in our area are temporarily closed due to the weather.

Before you trek out of your comfy home for a trek in the woods call ahead and see if the location is open. Several parks will close and entering the closed park in a violation that includes a fine.

I love a good snow and I love hiking in the snow. I even love hiking when it is snowing. Mainly because of the sheer quiet that envelops you in a sort of soundless cocoon. A rare treat in the beep and tweet era of our lives.

Snow Day Activities — Snow day snow village snowman

Is The Park Closed?

The problem with winter weather is some of the parks don’t have enough manpower or funds to be able to go in and clean off their roads every time a good snowfall descends covering the park in a thick blanket of snow.

You can also check online to see if the park is open by searching for the park’s name plus alerts closures notifications. Some parks will have updated websites while others, not able to immediately access their websites, will post closures via social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter.

If you happen to get to a park and then discover it is closed, please don’t go in the park. Parks are typically only closed when there is a threat to your health and safety – such as icy trails, landslides, fallen trees, etc.

Mini Snow Village!

(said like an announcer at a wrestling match)

Snow day fun for kids — Snow Village in Lights

Instead of venturing out enjoy some time to goof off near home but outside with my go to snowy activity:

Supplies:

Packable snow
Food coloring
Small spray bottles
Water
Watercolors
Paint brushes
Twigs
Scrap fabric to make tiny scarves and hats
Location for your Snow Village such as window sills, front porch, and railings.

Step 1. Make your snow people but keep them under about 8-9 inches tall.

Step 2. Make your snow village features: castles, bridges, cars, etc.

Step 3. Mix food coloring and water inside of a spray bottle. You’ll want this color to be fairly saturated so it shows well.

Step 4. Create small buildings, horses, dogs to add to your village. To expand problem solving and increase creativity, try to do this with your hands and items you can repurpose.

Step 5. Decorate Your Mini Snow Village by using the Snow Zinger spray to add lots of color, the watercolors to add details, and the scrap fabrics to add some whimsy.

Step 6. Take a few photos and then head inside for some hot chocolate!

Hiking Cincinnati Nature Center Perimeter Trail

August 15, 2018 by admin

How to Hike Cincinnati Nature Center Perimeter Trail

Cincinnati Nature Center is one of my favorite go-to hiking spots. In my book 60 Hikes within 60 Miles Cincinnati, I included the perimeter trail. Since that edition came out there have been a few modifications (reroutes) to the trails there but nothing that you can’t handle Happy Hikers.

With the new trail routes, the perimeter trail is listed as 10.12 miles but I think with the reroutes it might be closer to 10.6 miles. I’ve not yet had an opportunity to map the reroutes. All the trails are loop trails which means you return to close the where you started – given that you can recall the color scheme you were following.

Cincinnati Nature Center Map

Speaking of color schemes and trails let’s dive into a breakdown on the trails:

Edge Trail: Easy with some hills. The big bonus is the pond. I could spend all day just watching the turtles.

Upland trail: Easy BUT a good portion is in full sun next to a meadow. On a hot summer day, you’re going to feel like you’ve been autoclaved.

Mashburn Family Trail: All accessible trail. Great with kids. However, if you are planning on getting some miles in, avoid the amazing nature playground – you’ll spend all your time there playing like you are six again.

Geology Trail: I really like this trail. The steps get a little old if you have crinkly knees (for those of you who don’t have crinkly knees – bless your hearts.)

Wildflower Trail: If you do the perimeter, you will only do a small portion of this trail and it is along the edge of the woods and a meadow – very pretty.

Lookout Trail: The prairie is lovely unless it is hot out. Open fields can be exceedingly ridiculously hot and humid add in full sun and – yeah, you’re not going to be a Happy Hiker. You’re going to be a Hot Hiker and not in a good way. If you go early or in the fall, winter, or early spring this trail is a treat.

Fernwood Trail: You’ll think, “This trail isn’t so bad, I don’t know what Tammy was talking about.” Then, “OMGosh! Is that another <strong><expletive string> switch back </strong></expletive string) [Bawhaha – I’m cracking myself up – HTML geeks will totally get that. Non-geeks – it’s okay – I was swearing in bold.]

Far Ridge Trail: You’ll be wondering why you decided to hike this trail. Then, you’ll think, “This is better than the Stairmaster at the gym! My butt is going to look great if I can just ma-ket-up-th-is-hill.” You’ll get to the top and think, “I’ma just gonna chill here and enjoy the view.” That’s when you realize the rule of hills – there is always another one.

Red Wing Trail: You won’t notice the few hills because you’ll be too distracted by the stunning beauty of the woods. Hint” This is my favorite trail.

Save a tree! Download the Cincinnati Nature Center map pdf onto your phone.

Cincinnati Perimeter Trail Route

I prefer to do Edge, Whitetail Trace, Red Wing, Geology, Far Ridge, Wildflower, Fern, Upland, Lookout.

But there is no rule book or trail police directing traffic. You can start wherever you want – that’s the great thing about being an adult.

The other great thing about being an adult?

You can quit when you want to as well! If the hike gets to be too much, take a break and hydrate. If you feel like that’s it, stick a fork in me, it is totally okay to mosey back to your car. No one will judge you, so don’t go all judgey on yourself.

But, do come back and hike again.

Preparing for a Long Hike

I recommend doing the Far Ridge trail or the Fern Trail a few times to build up your stamina. If you are really new to hiking, then do the Geology Trail and come up the limestone steps to the Krippendorf Lodge. If you can do that a few times and not be bent over gasping for air or clutching a Charlie-horse – then you should be able to manage a longer hike.

Of course, pack plenty of water and some energy snacks.

The Longer the Hike, The Longer the Hike Takes

Take your time! I see so many hikers who are all frazzled and Grumpy-Cat looking. Sure, they are hiking but they’re not taking the journey they are racing to get from Point A to Point B and missing all the beauty and wonder in between.

I’m going to tell you a secret. Most people prior to hiking with me the first-time worry, “You’ll hike to fast for me to keep up.”

HA HA HA

I’m the world’s slowest hiker! Snails in snow pass me. I take my time and enjoy the hike. Watch the birds, peer at the leaves, scan the bark of trees for insects – I make it a point to take it all in and try to memorize the beauty of the day because I know one day I won’t physically be able to hike but I’ll be able to take that sense of peace and wonder with me forever.

Give yourself the gift of enough time to enjoy your hike. Take along a journal, snap some photos, just sit and think big rambling thoughts – breathe and relax you’re a Hiking Ninja now.

Cincinnati Hiking Interview with WCPO’s Emily Maxwell

February 8, 2018 by admin

Emily Maxwell and I met over at Cincinnati Nature Center to do the interview about 60 Hikes within 60 Miles Cincinnati. Was a little cold out but that didn’t stop the fun!

Take Political Action

December 7, 2016 by admin

Politics and Nature

Speak Up to Protect the Land, Air, and Water

It is a little never racking the first time you do it. Call a representative or senator and let them know your opinion. But, the only way they will listen to our voices is if we use them and speak up.

I encourage all of you to speak up to protect the land, clean air, and clean water.

Today, we take land, clean air and clean water for granted. We can’t. We simply can’t rely on someone else to speak up, someone else to fight, someone else to take a stand. You must take a stand and make your voice heard.

Who is my Representative?

You can find the correct political person to talk to by clicking on the URLs below:

U.S. House of Representatives: http://www.whoismyrepresentative.com/

U.S. Senate: http://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/

Ohio House of Representatives: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/member-by-county

Ohio Senate: http://ohiosenate.gov/index

Ohio Governor: http://www.governor.ohio.gov/

Indiana House of Representatives: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/

Indiana Senate: https://iga.in.gov/information/senate_district_map/

Indiana Governor: http://www.in.gov/gov/

Kentucky House of Representatives: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/house.htm

Kentucky Senate: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/senate.htm

Kentucky Governor: http://governor.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx

Open a Word file and start copying and pasting the information. I’ve labeled my file Action. I have all the contact information in the file and now have it all on my phone.

These people are just people like you and me. They are our representatives. They are not appointed. They are not rulers. They are voted into office. They are responsible for being your representative, not your ruler.

Remember that – they are your representatives, not your rulers.

Pay Attention

The only way they become your ruler is if you hand over that power by not speaking up, by not paying attention, and by not voting them out of office if they are not representing your will.

Early today it took me less than 2 minutes to make my voice heard regarding Ohio HB 554. That’s less time than it takes me to brew an espresso.

I encourage all of you to

Speak Up. Be Heard.

Millennials this applies to you as well. Our children are going to be the ones who have to deal with the aftermath of what happens now.