Saturday Hike to the East/West Ponds & Frog Chorus

We are meeting at 2:00 on saturday afternoon (5/5) to hike from Camp Caro up to the ponds.  Usually this time of year the ponds are alive with the songs of frogs.  Let's go investigate.  The trailhead can be found at 400 S. Sargent Road, Spokane 99212.

2012 Dishman Hills Service Project

On April 22 over 540 volunteers attended a great service project in the Dishman Hills.

Some children helped thin the ponderosa pine and reduce fire fuels.

At the same time children across the natural area had a chance to plant new additions to the forest.

There were lots of smiles.

Let's hope the TLC lasts until next April.

Children & Nature Network Recently Got a Facelift

Take a look at the new Children & Nature webpage.
http://www.childrenandnature.org/

Great day on the Water

The weather couldn't have been any better on today's outing. Not hot enough to make a swim look inviting to any of the children, but also not cold enough to ever cause teeth to chatter. all told we had 4 boats and 10 children afloat today. We almost lost one child sized paddle to the river but the sweep boat was skillfully piloted on a successful rescue mission and we returned with all the paddles we set out with.

The critter count on this river usually includes moose, deer, beavers, and often turkeys. Today we made a critter list that full of little amazing things like crawfish, snakes, turtles, and a great sighting and identification of a common merganser.(a fish-feeding duck) I really wish the weather could be like this for just a few more weeks. As we head into the "shoulder" season of fall it will be more enticing to pull on the gore-tex in search of fall foliage. Maybe we'll combine this idea with my longstanding hope to investigate the dam building beavers at Liberty Lake County Park.

Sunday Float down the Little Spokane River (10/2)

Come out and join a handful of different families who plan to paddle down the Little Spokane River Sunday Morning. Canoe's are recommended but some industrious parents might be able to make sit on top kayaks work. We will meet at the Take Out just off Hwy 291 at as close to 10:00 am as is humanly possible for parents. Be sure to pack and proudly display your Discover Pass for each car, one at the take out and one at the put in. We might decide to only float from the Indian Painted Rocks down to the take out, which is about 1.5 hours. Or we may take on the challenge of entertaining the children for the 3 hour paddle from St. George's down. Either way bring lots of food, beverages, toys that float, sunblock, and other worthy distractions.

Spokefest 2011

Photo found HERE

Sign up before September 1st and save some money. That means you only have a few days to register the family. This year the ride is on Sunday September 11. Don't forget to pack plenty of water and your bike helmet. It's required! This year the Sunflower Society will be trying to ride together. We plan to meet at the south side of the water fountain in Riverfront Park. Register Here

Great Hike @ Riverside

The weather was great and the turnout for saturday's hike was even better. We avoided all but a few of those 24 hour mountain bike racers, and no children or dogs fell into the Spokane River.
The bridge let us all get uncomfortably close to the raging waters of the Spokane River while also keeping us safe. Most everyone seemed to walk a bit quicker than normal while crossing the bridge, just bidding the time until their feet touched down on firm ground again.
We came across this mini fort left be what I believe were other children. We let most every kid have their turn sitting inside the fort before tearing it down.
While one child hunted for dinosaur bones, and two others were fascinated by flowers some of the boys seemed to be able to turn almost any stick into a machine gun or sword. Nothing is too firmed up yet, but there should be a few more hikes in the coming weeks. Stay tuned here and on Facebook for more news. Until next time...