getting kids outside

Guest Post on Cincinnati Nature Center

July 17, 2013 by admin

Edge Trail = Path to Adventure!

One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is the art of being still. I don’t necessarily mean standing still but being in the moment and enjoying the present. Hiking and spending time in nature are excellent ways to teach your children how to live in the moment.

My two have been hiking since…well…their entire life. We didn’t wait until some day to take them hiking. Hiking doesn’t have to be difficult. With little ones, a simple stroll on the Edge Trail is a huge adventure.

To read the whole post and checkout Cincinnati Nature Center’s cool website.

It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of heights!

January 22, 2013 by admin

Five Rivers MetroParks is nothing short of amazing! You can take the kids up the 81 steps to the tippy-top of the Cox Arboretum Tree Tower. Of course, that is if you can handle the view from that height.

Cox_winter hike_tree tower (6) — 81 one steps up! Do that 11.7 times and you will have climbed the same number of as inside the Washington Monument!

The wood tower was built thanks to the donations of over 400 donors via the James M. Cox Jr. Arboretum Foundation membership. It took ten years of collaboration and planning, the project is valued at approximately $500,000.

When you are on the tower on a windy day, the tower sings. I don’t know if this was intentional or just fortunate. It was delightful listening to the forlorn tunes while taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape including the forest and gardens.

Watch out if you are not into heights, the tower is 46 feet high and has “sides” that are about waist high.

Cox_winter hike_tree tower (5) — Ah! Straight down!

As far as the rules, use your common sense–don’t hang anything off of it; if it is wet out the steps are likely to be slippery; and if there is a thunderstorm…err…it is the tallest thing around i.e. enormous lightening rod…you should make an fast exit.

Cool Family Adventure!

January 9, 2013 by admin

I stumbled across these posts while I was hiking over at Sugarcreek and Germantown MetroParks. So, of course, I took pictures.

And, then when I got home I looked up to see what the VentureQuest thing was all about.

I discovered it was a unique way that blends geocaching and letterboxing to get your kids out hiking and enjoying nature. You’ll want to bring along the VentureQuest tri-fold as well as a crayon or pencil for the rubbing. The VentureQuest points have small icon panels at them with an engraved image–perfect for making a rubbing.

Let your kids take the ~~helm~~ map and direct you on the trails. If you have a GPS device and can track your longitude and latitude all the better for wayfinding.

What to do when it’s cold outside? Bundle up and go for a hike.

December 11, 2012 by admin

My youngest looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Go hiking!? It’s too cold out.” But add a few layers and a good pair of boots and we are ready to go. Shortly into the hike she has forgotten about it being cold. Start with a layer of wicking fabric. Then add a layer of fleece and a good coat. Layers are important. You want o be able to peel a few off if you get too warm. The last thing you want is to be sweaty.

Hypothermia kills.

Not to be dramatic but it is true and a lot of folks don’t take it seriously enough.

A good hat, gloves, and a scarf are always a benefit. I have a pair of Isotoner gloves that are Thinsulate lined and have this fake fur thing going on. I love them because the fake fur keeps out the cold air. The kids have fleece mittens with fingers and a pocket you can cover your fingers with and a pair of those cheap cotton gloves. The combination is a warm and cozy pair of gloves.

We wear Smartwool socks. Love Smartwool. Doesn’t itch, feels great. Boots – get a pair with Thinsulate and Gortex is you want your feet to be warm and dry.

I’m BACK!

September 4, 2012 by admin

Hello! I’m back.

Today is the first day of school for the kids and I am officially off summer break and back on writing and hiking for a living. This fall I will be hiking a lot and am looking forward to telling you all about the trails. My friend Katie over at FamilyFriendlyCincinnati.com is having a contest for a copy of my book. We are meeting later this week so the copies will even be signed by yours truly which I hear makes them far more valuable. (The crowd goes wild.)

I’m debating on which direction I want to go hiking this coming weekend. I’m thinking north so I can do some great hikes while there isn’t snow and slush on the ground. I know! I am thinking about snow already!

If you have a chance to get outside, I highly recommend hiking the Twin Valley backpacking trail between Germantown and Twin Valley Metro Parks on the south side of Dayton. It will take you the better part of a day to get it done. Here is a link to the article I wrote for Backpacker about the trail and with a elevation and trail map.

If you need something shorter, try Sugarcreek MetroPark or Cox Arboretum which have several loop trails for shorter hikes. Need a paved trail? Both have short looped trails that are paved.

All the best,

Tammy

P.S. I am looking for new trails so if your park has changed or added trails in the last five years please contact me! Thanks!

Slowing Down

May 16, 2012 by admin

Slow Down

Hiking isn’t about getting from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible (well, unless there is a thunderstorm). A hike with your kids is about the adventure you have along the way. However, when you think of an adventure you might envision towering cliffs, raging rivers, plunging waterfalls but to your child every day and new experience is an adventure.

It is difficult to slow down. Especially when as an adult you are typically juggling a busy work schedule, kid’s scheduled activities, and life in general it is hard to stop and smell the roses.

Next time you are out with your kids on a hike make a point to take your time along the trail and see what you can discover by simply looking.

hiking with kids, adventures in ordinary — Walnut Mysteries

On a recent hike, my daughter discovered this chewed walnut and though it was the most incredible thing ever. She marveled over what it could be, what could have made those marks in it, what was inside of it, and what would want to live it the shell now. I forced myself to not say, “Come on! Let’s get going!” instead I said, “Wow! That is really amazing! What do you think?” This open ended conversation lead to a rather amusing discussion about squirrels versus chipmunks and the snail that would finally have a place to call home.