THURSDAY Nature Walk on December 3rd

I have an appointment on Friday this week, so our weekly nature walk will be on Thursday instead, same time.

Important Note: I have decided to stop posting the weekly nature walk location on this blog. If you are interested in joining me for future nature walks, please let me know (either in the comments or by email) and I will keep you informed about future activities through email.

Here are the details for this weeks adventure!

When: Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Where: Alfred A. Ring Park, 1801 NW 23rd Boulevard (Parking at Elks Lodge).
Driving Directions: From NW 13th Street, turn left on NW 23rd Ave. Park at the Elks Lodge, which will be on the left.
Link to the map: Click here.
What to bring: Drinking water, bug spray. Maybe snacks or a picnic lunch? You might also like to bring a camera or a journal for your children to record their discoveries.
Things to note: Park includes bathrooms, picnic tables, small playground. Walking trail is mostly dirt, so strollers are not advised.

Friday Nature Walk on November 13th

This week we're heading to one of our stand-by favorites, Green Acres Park. It's usually very empty and quiet, the playground is fun, and there are a few pathways that we have yet to explore! Hopefully we'll see you there!

When: Friday, November 13, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Where: Green Acres Park, 3704 SW 8th Avenue. Access from the dead end of SW 40th Street, just south of SW 6th Place
Driving Directions: From Newberry Rd, turn south on SW 38th St, then right on SW 6th Pl. Turn left when you reach SW40th St, then park on the left as the road ends.
Link to the map: Click here.
What to bring: Drinking water, bug spray. Maybe snacks or a picnic lunch? You might also like to bring a camera or a journal for your children to record their discoveries.
Things to note: Park includes a fun playground and picnic tables. After parking, follow the trail to the left to find the playground. It's pretty sandy and my kids always end up filthy after playing here, so wear grubby clothes and plan on a likely bath when it's all over!

Friday Nature Walk on November 6th

We're going to be brave this week and explore someplace we've never been before.

When: Friday, November 6, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Where: Broken Arrow Bluff, 5724 SW 46th Place
Driving Directions: Since I haven't been here before, I'm not exactly sure of the directions. The park is located near Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and Lake Kanapaha. Take a look at this map. From Archer Road, it looks like you will turn on SW 57th Dr. and hopefully find it somewhere close!
What to bring: Drinking water, bug spray. Maybe snacks or a picnic lunch? You might also like to bring a camera or a journal for your children to record their discoveries.
Things to note: This park does not include a playground, but there are picnic tables.

Hopefully we can all find it! Let me know if you plan to attend so I can keep an eye out for you.

Friday Nature Walk on October 30th

Even in the midst of our Halloween activities this week, we're going to take a little time on Friday morning and head to the park. If you live in the area you are welcome to join us!
When: Friday, October 30, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Where: Cofrin Nature Park, 4810 NW 8th Avenue
Driving Directions: From NW 34th St, turn left on NW 8th St. The park will be on the right, and the entrance is right before the tennis courts.
What to bring: Drinking water, bug spray. Maybe snacks or a picnic lunch? You might also like to bring a camera or a journal for your children to record their discoveries.
Things to note: Park includes a fun playground and picnic tables. Walking trail is a dirt path, so strollers are not advised.
We had a nice time at San Felasco Park last week. I let the Ant Bug use our old digital camera to document our nature walk, so the pictures in this post are courtesy of her!

Friday Nature Walk on Oct 23

After a few weeks off, we're ready to give the Nature Walk another try. The weather should be beautiful, so cross your fingers that we are all healthy!

When: Friday, October 23, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Where: San Felasco Park
Driving Directions: It is off of NW. 43rd street. For those who will be heading North on 43rd St., turn left on 43rd way after you pass Cox Cable. Follow that back until it ends and turn Left. Follow the road back to the parking lot.
What to bring: Drinking water, bug spray. Maybe snacks or a picnic lunch? You might also like to bring a camera or a journal for your children to record their discoveries.
Things to note: Park includes a fun playground and picnic tables. I believe at least part of the walking trail is paved (but I'm not positive) so a stroller might be a possibility.

Give me a heads up if you plan to attend so I know to wait for you before we start exploring. Hopefully I'll see you there!

Foiled again-we're not nature walking today

This illness is working it's way through our family. The Ant Bug is mostly recovered (just on medication for an ear infection), but the Sweet Bee has had a runny nose and cough for the last few days, along with a fever off and on (she's at 100 degrees this morning). And now I'm getting the symptoms too, even though I always say "mothers aren't allowed to get sick. They have too much to do!"

So we'll be staying home today, and hopefully we will all be healthy soon! Go ahead without us and enjoy the park, and we'll try again in a few weeks.

Friday Nature Walk--Round 2

Ready to give our Friday Nature Walk another try? Here are the details for this weeks adventure.

When: Friday, October 2, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Where: Cofrin Nature Park, 4810 NW 8th Avenue
Driving Directions: From NW 34th St, turn left on NW 8th St. The park will be on the right, and the entrance is right before the tennis courts.
What to bring: Drinking water, bug spray. Maybe snacks or a picnic lunch? You might also like to bring a camera or a journal for your children to record their discoveries.
Things to note: Park includes a fun playground and picnic tables. Walking trail is a dirt path, so strollers are not advised.

*Disclaimer: My girls have been in varying stages of illness this week (between coughs and runny noses and ear infections). I'm optimistic that we will all be healthy and raring to go on Friday. But if we get struck ill with something else, I'll do a quick post on Friday morning to let you know we won't be heading to the park. So check back Friday morning, and if you don't hear from me, I'll see you at Cofrin at 10 am!

Another note: There will be no nature walk on October 9th. With family in town, we'll be doing a little vacationing that week!

You're Invited: Join me for a weekly nature walk

After reading this book, I've been thinking of ways that my children and I can get more nature time outside. I've decided to start a weekly nature walk/park visit and I'm inviting you to join me! Unfortunately, you probably have to live in Florida to participate, but if you don't maybe you can start a group in your area?!

Here are the details:

When: Friday mornings, starting at 10 a.m.
Where: Various nature parks located in and around Gainesville, Florida
Who is invited: Moms and kids who want to have fun outdoors. I imagine the age range for kids will be from 0-5, since most older children will be in school.
What to bring: Water, bug spray. Maybe snacks or a picnic lunch? You might also like to bring a camera or a journal for your children to record their discoveries.
I'm not planning on strenuous hiking here, and the pace will likely be slow to allow for the participation of little legs. The point is to enjoy some time in the sunshine, exploring our world. Many of the parks also have a playground, so we will likely spend some time there as well.

Here are the details for our first adventure:

When: Friday, September 25, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Where: Alfred A. Ring Park, 1801 NW 23rd Boulevard (Parking at Elks Lodge).
Driving Directions: From NW 13th Street, turn left on NW 23rd Ave. Park at the Elks Lodge, which will be on the left.
Things to note: Park includes bathrooms, picnic tables, small playground. Walking trail is mostly dirt, so strollers are not advised.

So strap the baby on your back and load up the kids. Hopefully I'll see you there! Everyone is welcome, so invite your friends! (Let me know if you plan to attend so I can keep an eye out for you.)