June 29, 2009
Have you ever hiked at night by the light of the full moon? Ok, with maybe a little help of a flashlight? In the Reno/Tahoe area there are two series of full moon hikes being offered by two separate groups.
The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is offering full moon hikes for members (Membership is $20 annually) starting at the Tahoe Meadows Trail trailhead. Per the event calendar: Everything changes after dark – the trails, the trees, and the lake. Experience the Tahoe Rim Trail in a whole new light with full moon hikes led by experienced hike leaders. Take in inspiring views of the lake as the moon rises over the Lake Tahoe Basin. Experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Tahoe Rim Trail at dusk. Expect casually paced hikes for all ages, while slowing down to enjoy the flora and fauna, current happenings in the natural world and nighttime senses.
TRTA Membership is required to attend.
Space is limited; please call the TRTA office at (775) 298-0012 or email katyw@tahoerimtrail.org to reserve your spot. Bring a flashlight, layered clothing and water. This may not be the best hike for children under 10. Please, to respect the night sounds and wildlife, no dogs this time! The dates are July 7, August 6, September 4 and October 4.
The Squaw Valley hiking center guided moon hikes begin at 6:30 p.m. at High Camp (accessible via cable car). The hikes are approximately three hours long and are moderate in level. The dates are July 6 and 7 and August 4 and 5. The cost is $15 for adults, youth and seniors and $5 for children. Bring drinking water and flashlights and wear warm clothing.
The Squaw Valley hiking center also has guided sunset hikes July 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 31 and August 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22. For more details call 530-583-6985 or click www.squaw.com
Leave a Comment » | 
Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, family, Full Moon Hikes, fun, grandchild, grandpa, grandparent, hiking, hiking trails, kids, Lake Tahoe, moon hikes, night hikes, Places to Go, Squaw Valley, Tahoe Rim Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail Association | 
Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 19, 2009
Yesterday Austin and Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa Ron and I went to view the Hollywood Sign. We went up to the Griffith Observatory. It is a great spot to see it, but it was a bit cloudy so our pictures will need Photoshop help to fix the contrast. We had a great time though. Austi also enjoyed climbing all the steps at the observatory!
Leave a Comment » | Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Griffith Observatory, Griffith Park, hiking, Hollywood Sign, kids, Los Angeles, Places to Go | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 16, 2009
The Long Beach Press Telegram carried an Associated Press article by Catherine Teal about the great bargains and beautiful scenery to be enjoyed if you visit Aspen, CO in the non-ski months. I couldn’t find the article on-line, so you’ll need to check out the Aspen Chamber of Commerce website for details. There are 50% off deals for booking over a Wednesday night. What sounded awesome to explore is Maroon Lake in the Maroon Bells wilderness area; however, it sounds like everybody is doin’ it from the USDA Forest Service website. Shuttle buses are in service to help with the traffic jams. This news release from 05/19/2009: On-Mountain Activities, Camp Aspen/Snowmass and Bluegrass Sunday Line Up for Summer 2009 captures oodles of summer events to include Silver Queen Gondola rides, alpine sightseeing and hiking, mountain biking, skateboarding, rock-climbing wall, camping, guided hikes and walks, disc golfing, fishing, backcountry hikes and Hatha yoga, storytelling and campfire sing-alongs.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore, Sport Activity | Tagged: alpine sightseeing, backcountry hikes, campfire sing-alongs, camping, child, children, disc golfing, family, fishing, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, guided hikes, guided walks, Hatha yoga, hiking, hiking trails, kids, mountain biking, Places to Go, rock-climbing wall, Silver Queen Gondola rides, skateboarding, storytelling | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
June 13, 2009
As a child living and learning in Wisconsin, I knew the Wisconsin Dells were the only part of Wisconsin that did not get flattened and scraped by the ancient glaciers. Very much later in life I explored them a little bit. The Wisconsin Dells are great for family expleriences galore! The Wilderness Resort website has all kinds of ideas for activities.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: child, children, family, fishing, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, hiking, kids, Places to Go, Wisconsin Dells | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
May 28, 2009
Stroll gardens and hiking trails in 30 acres of beautiful trees, shrubs and flowering plants at Big Springs Gardens on Highway 49 between Bassetts Station and Sierra City, CA. They serve buffets: Thursday evening BBQ ($37.00 per person), Friday Buffet Luncheon ($35.00 per person), Saturday Early Afternoon BBQ Buffet ($37.00 per person) and Sunday Buffet Brunch (2 seatings ($37.00 per person)) in a lovely open air garden overlooking a tranquil trout pond. Reduced prices for children. Reservations Required (530-862-1333). Cash or Check Only. No Credit Cards.
Open Friday, June 5 – Sunday, September 27, 2009.
Package prices include admission fees to the gardens, the complete meal (minus alcoholic beverages), sales tax and service charge. See the website for details.
Leave a Comment » | Places to Explore | Tagged: Big Springs Gardens, buffet, child, children, family, garden, grandchild, grandpa, Green Hour, hiking, kids, mountain garden, nature, Places to Go | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
May 25, 2009
A great place to fish or birdwatch with Grandpa is Horseshoe Lake in Southern Illinois near Cairo. It has lots of large-mouth bass and catfish. The whole lake is 4 feet deep (3 ft average). It used to be part of the Mississippi River. There are 15 bald eagles in the Horseshoe Lake area in winter – they like the over 150,000 Canadian Geese that show up too! There is another Horseshoe Lake closer to St. Louis that has Cahokian significance and also the same kind of outdoor experiences available: fishing, boating, hiking, camping, birding and picnic areas.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: birding, boating, child, children, family, fishing, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, Green Hour, hiking, Horseshoe Lake, kids, nature, picnic area, Places to Go, Southern Illinois | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
May 21, 2009
Lots of activities for little ones are on the calendar at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Missouri. Then there’s the Butterfly House in Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd. in Chesterfield, EarthWays Center at 3617 Grandel Square – St. Louis, and the Shaw Nature Reserve at Hwy. 100 & I-44 in Gray Summit. Family classes and activities are offered at the Shaw Nature Reserve. The mbgnet is a wonderful, interactive learning and information tool that is a lot of fun to use. Virtual tours are also available!
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: butterflies, Butterfly House, child, children, Earthways Center, family, fun, garden, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, Gray Summit, Green Hour, hiking, kids, Missouri Botanical Garden, nature, nature education, nature study, Places to Go, Shaw Nature Center, St. Louis | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
May 20, 2009
One of our favorite drives is the Avenue of the Giants. It is a section of Highway 101 in Northern California. By chance I popped in the CD “Music to Disappear In” into the player. Grandpa Ron and I had one of our most spiritual experiences driving through the redwoods with the god-like music playing. It was just so totally awesome! I even got a photo of fairies dancing in the sunlight in a small clearing in the trees. I’ll have to get that photo posted so you can see for yourself!
Roadside America has its own take of the tourist attractions to probably stay away from! 😉
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: Avenue of the Giants, car day trip, car tour, car trip, child, children, family, fun, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Green Hour, hiking, Redwood Highway, redwoods | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
May 17, 2009
A friend wanted suggestions for a romantic getaway to celebrate a 1 year milestone and I thought but a minute before coming up with Snoqualmie Falls and Salish Lodge, located about 30 miles from Seattle, Washington. Grandpa Ron and I enjoyed a weekend there many years ago and we still talk about it! It is where we adopted Bear, our first of now very many bears. He was sitting in the middle of the pillows on our bed when we arrived. We paid his adoption fee in the Gift Shop and he has gone on almost every trip we’ve taken anywhere ever since!
Salish Lodge has many scheduled activities that you can participate in. Even if the lodge is too high end for yur budget, Snoqualmie has other hotels and there are other nearby cities to stay. There is hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, whitewater rapids, fishing and golfing galore – and a Railroad Museum!! We loved the train ride and the informative interpretive tour.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: biking, child, children, family, fishing, fun, golf, golfing, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, Green Hour, hiking, hiking trails, horseback riding, kayaking, kids, nature, Northwest Railway Museum, Places to Go, Salish Lodge, Snoqualmie Falls, train, train ride, waterfall, whitewater rapids | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
May 12, 2009
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating its 75th anniversary of its opening in 1934 with all kinds of special events. Of course there is the normal hiking, horseback riding and bicycle riding and other outdoor activities as well! It is the most visited of all the national parks. Jerry Shriver had an awesome article Power to the people’s park in the May 8, 2009 USA Today paper.
Leave a Comment » | Nature Activities, Places to Explore | Tagged: biking, child, children, family, fun, grandchild, grandchildren, grandma, grandpa, grandparent, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Green Hour, hiking, hiking trails, horseback riding, horseback riding trails, kids, nature, Places to Go | Permalink
Posted by mygrandmasue
MyGrandmaSue 