hiking with kids

Hiking Near Cincinnati — Go on Hike, Any Hike will Do

November 17, 2015 by admin

Finding time to hike is hard.

Hiking Near Cincinnati

I know sometimes life comes at you from a thousand different directions and finding time for hiking near Cincinnati or any hiking is difficult.

We all have family and employment responsibilities that add to our stress but if you can slip away just for a few moments…

—

Maybe you can do something just for yourself for a change.

You are the glue for your family and friends.

You need to be strong, clear headed, and happy.

I encourage you to go for a hike for yourself — there are plenty of hiking places near Cincinnati.

Even if it is just a wee-little hike

Take a moment for yourself when you are running errands or taking your break.

When I worked for the state, the building I worked in had lovely ponds behind it. The ponds were the remnants of an old fish hatchery and filled with scores of small fish.

I would slip away several times during the day, to stroll around the ponds to clear my head.

On my breaks, I did yoga while watching green and great blue herons stalk little fish.

In the fall, scores of migrating cedar waxwings would curl into the protected oasis of these ponds. The flock would fly in great right-handed swirling patterns, scooping low over the surface of the water stirring up the insects, and then the cedar waxwings would take turns diving through the cloud of insects much like various species of whales hunt.

You can capture time like this too.

Maybe wake a little earlier — this only works if you promise and keep your promise to yourself that this time is for you! Not so you can get done more stuff. Stuff to do will always accumulate.

Or, what if you actually took your lunch break?

Take a side trip on the way home and let the traffic clear while you go hiking.

Recently, we were returning from a trip to Indiana and since I don’t commute anymore, I forgot all about rush hour traffic. I was on 275 between Mosteller and 42 going no where fast when I realized, we don’t have to sit in this traffic we could be hiking in Hamilton County Park’s Sharon Woods or hiking at Trammel Fossil Park.

I took the Sharonville exit and we went fossil hunting at Trammel Fossil Park for almost two hours or hiking and exploring Cincinnati’s rich history!

We got a little carried away but I was watching the traffic from our vantage point and peeking at Google maps.

We wouldn’t have been home any sooner than we eventually got home because there had been a couple of accidents on all the roads we could have taken. Instead of sitting in a car with two bored children, we collected tiny brachiopods, corals, and hiked the rocky bots of Cincinnati’s ancient sea floor!

The kids still talk about it!

A hike through the woods sure beats sitting in rush hour traffic that isn’t going anywhere.

The holiday season is bearing down. Family is coming into visit. Your traveling to visit family. Ads are screaming for you to spend, spend, spend.

I’m begging you to spend time on yourself!

Here is my poem to help you remember to go hiking around Cincinnati or where ever you are:

Go on a hike

Any hike will do

Just go on a hike

A hike just for you.

HIKE OFTEN. LIVE MORE.

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.

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.

Your Escape Plan

January 4, 2013 by admin

If you are heading to Mary Gray this weekend, you may also want to check-out

Shrader-Weaver Woods near Bentonville.

The Shrader-Weaver Woods is amazingly tranquil especially in winter. This hike is one I have done many times and I enjoy the serenity it offers.

The parking area is right off of the road and easy to miss if there is snow on the ground. If you decide to try this hike during the summer, make sure you have ample bug repellent on because the back of the woods is a wet woods with a seep. Vegetation includes your standard water loving plants such as white oaks and skunk cabbage.

Hike in Winter

January 3, 2013 by admin

Sugarcreek MetroPark — Tracking animals in the snow

It is true! You can go hiking in the winter. It is one of the best times to go. The snow dampens any noise you make and you are more likely to see a variety of critters. On New Year’s day we went for hike at Sugarcreek MetroPark in Dayton, Ohio.

The kids had a great time “tracking” animals via the prints left in the snow.

Plus, since it is cold and snowy the trails are typically less used. Although, I was happy to see there were a lot of people either hiking, cross country skiing, or jogging.

Here is a sweet video of a female and male mallard chillin’ out in the creek.

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.