Hueston Woods State Park (Take 2)

Hueston Woods State Park was our first adventure with our friends. We are trying to invite more and more friends with us to go adventuring. The things we brought with us:

Adventure Backpack

• Paper map of the park (very important!)
• Wipes
• Binoculars
• Scavenger Hunt
• Camera
• Extra Clothes
• Snacks
• Water Bottles
• Magnifying Glass
• Rock collection bags (zip lock bags)
• Band Aides
• Mini notepad and crayon (think blues clues meets adventure)

Also brought along with us on this trip: rain boots, winter coats and rain coats, and extra clothes. Preparing for the winter thaw, fresh warm weather, and mud puddles I wore my own "winter pants" with my hiking boots to protect against the mud. (It was very helpful!)   

Things we are GLAD we brought with us: scavenger hunt game and outside Yahtzee. (See below for the different games we played.)

2 Year Old Yahtzee Version 1

1. Give 1 dice to the child

2. Roll your dice

3. Have the child match their dice with yours, roll until successful

Yahtzee Version 2

1. Each person gets two dice.

2. Roll until you get doubles.

3. Give yourself a tally and the first person to 10 tallies wins.

Yahtzee Version 3

1. Let kids decide what they are doing with the dice.... and enjoy watching the game.

Hueston Woods State Park has plenty of trails. We were disappointed with the lack of markings on the trails that we went on based on previous experience. Most trails we have encountered so far are usually marked with spray paint dots on the trees marking the trail. We did not have that experience here and ended up getting lost on our second trail, we ended up just going backwards.

Hedge Apple trail was MUDDY!! The snow was thawing and mixing with the dirt to make super sloppy mud. The kids loved it and then hated it, and then loved it again. They played next to the creek a lot on this trail because it was next to a fallen tree that made a perfect bench seat. The kids all wanted to take pictures sitting on the tree, until they didn't anymore. (Kids, I tell ya!)

This was our first hiking adventure with the Hopewells and it was a blast. Only two people slid (the adults not the kids) and no injuries- that's a win in my book! We had some trouble with toddler follow the leader because the leader is the most important part of that game, but the kids really enjoyed the trail. The second trail we went on was Big Woods Trail and it was not clearly marked and had a lot of fallen trees on what we think the trail was... again, not entirely sure.

I made the brave move to cross the creek in order to find out what direction we needed to go and even though the picture only exists because the men were video taping it in case I fell in, it is now proof that I successfully made it without falling into the water.

Thank goodness!!

Preparing for a whole day adventure we ate some snacks as we went and picked up litter if we saw anything, I bring along "doggie poop bags" everywhere we go in case we have litter to collect or... you know, a diaper. B will be potty trained soon! Too much information?

Let's move on... we packed a lunch! We used our map to find the perfect spot and we hiked on over to eat our food. The best part of this lunch break was our picnic bench was in the middle of TALL trees, we broke out the scavenger hunt game and we sent the kids running to find the things in order to add to their collections.

Handy tip... we carry a laminated map of Ohio everywhere we go because honestly, you just never know. Technology only goes so far and then... it might run out of charge or lose service. Our laminated map served a second purpose on this trip: placemat for lunch! Things that have dual purposes are my favorite.

Run free and wild boys, enjoy the wind in your hair and the sun on your face. I enjoy moments like this when I can see that E used to hate mud and now loves to just jump right into them. Moments like when the boys ask us right when they wake up, "mommy can we go adventuring today?" I love this adventurous spirit we are inspiring. Playing a good scavenger hunt game just adds to the fun.

B found something to match his scavenger hunt card, "TALLEST." The stick was almost double his size!! The find and seek scavenger hunt game can be found on amazon and is called "Hapinest Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt Outdoor Indoor Card Game for Kids." I would recommend it, and it's a perfect size to throw into your bag and have to play or use on any hiking or adventure outside.

#guentheradventures are even better when we are joined by friends! The Hopewell's helped us earn some hours for our #1000hoursoutside challenge and experience a new trail in a familiar park!