#guentheradventures

Mom, let’s go see the Trolls. Okay, let’s go!

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park was in one word: gorgeous. Between the scenic drives, waterfalls, and beautiful forests there is something for everyone in this area. This trip was a two part plan with the main focus being Nana's 90th birthday! For her birthday she wanted her family (kids, grandkids, great grandkids) to join her in hiking Clingman's Dome, heard of it? One word to describe it: steep.

OhioDNR listed on their website that, "The trademark of Headlands Beach State Park is its massive 35-acre Lake Erie beach. Besides providing exceptional sunbathing and swimming opportunities, Headlands Beach also offers unique beach glass hunting and phenomenal Lake Erie sunset viewing. Picnicking is available throughout the park, and a seasonal concession provides a wide variety of tasty food and cold drink options.

Hiking has become a fast favorite for our family, but it is also one of the most popular and enjoyed outdoor activities for all ages. Being a part of a few groups locally it is fun to see the trails others day and get ideas, but how do you start taking your kids?     We have written down some of the (not new), but useful tips we have learned, discovered, or enjoy. As most trips, some planning does help make a smooth and successful hike. First off, we started off with super short hikes. We went about .5 miles and started building up their stamina and endurance. Granted.. we started in the winter with snow and ice. That made it a little harder on their little legs too! *Hint: We've heard 5 miles is the maximum for most children.* Second, proper footwear. For the kids and adults. I am not telling you to go buy a pair of hiking boots, but tennis shoes or closed toed shoes are best with traction. Heavy socks, not cotton, is also suggested. (We realized this fact a little late, but ...

Little Boots Hiking Club went to Miami Whitewater Forest on Oakleaf Trail, which we had checked out earlier (see previous post), but this time we had a little more excitement. Snake Another Snake Another Another Snake Turtles Beaver evidence! We started our adventure with new friends as we continue to learn about Leave No trace and on this hike it was "leave room from the wildlife" because we were able to see quite a bit of it today. One of the first signs of wildlife was the evidence of beavers! I am still so excited to possibly see beavers one day. We prepared a goodie bag and had a few things for families to do after the hike as they talked about what they saw and the new friends that they made! Beavers are busy busy mammals and they reengineer the land. When available beavers burrow in the banks of rivers and lakes. We think that these two creeks off of the main lake are becoming beaver dams. It is unconfirmed at this point. But beavers also transform less suitable habita...

We enjoyed a bike ride through Thomas O Marsh Lake park, newly updated it includes a fitness trail, many fishing areas, boat docks, and geocaching spots.

  It is not everyday that you find bones on the beach... our relaxing and fun hike with new friends took a turn when we found bones on the beach.

Dillon State Park We go "camping" although some may not call it camping since we rent a cabin. The boys think it is camping so they get all excited when we go and are sad when we leave. On the way home we hear at least two or three times, "Mom when are we going camping?" I love when I hear it because I love that they enjoy it as much as we do. So we enjoyed the majority of the trails this trip and were able to hike most of them. Dillon State Park has 6 different trails, which I listed below and I included our notes and thoughts with the trails as well: Blackberry Ridge — 0.6 Mile — moderate Bog Loop — 1 Mile — Easy   Eagle Ridge Loop — 0.8 Mile — moderate King Ridge Loop — 1 Mile — moderate Licking Bend — 4.4 Mile — moderate Ruffed Grouse Loop —  0.6 Mile — moderate Storybook Trail Loop - 0.5 Mile - Easy, paved Blackberry Ridge was super close to our cabin so it became our first hike of the weekend. It is shorter, only 0.6 Mile, but moderate. Here is the reason for...

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest - before I go on if I lived within an hour distance this would be a place I would visit regularly. Now, I heard about this place through a group on facebook called Cincinnati Hikes (check it out!) and it looked so different and interesting. I mean.. Forest Giants! Although, my little ones called them trolls.  Here is a brief description of the trail- "Forest Giants Trail - 2 miles - 1.5 hours - Easy The Forest Giants trail is an out and back trail, one mile each way. It leads from the Visitor Center to see all three of the Forest Giants in a Giant Forest. The first section is flat and mostly paved following along the Olmsted Ponds. The trail then crosses the Big Prairie - a prime spot to see native grasses and other prairie habitat. The final section of the trail is across rougher terrain, winding through parts of our popular Sun and Shade Loop to Lake Nevin, where you’ll see some of our renowned plant collections, including magnolias and the...

First off, the full time camper's here were so friendly and helpful! We arrived at A. W. Marion State Park ready to do the Lake Trail which depending on which map you read is either 3.6 miles long or 5 miles long. We pulled up to the campground check in station to pick up a park map (I always print one off just in case, but we try to get the official one too!) The office was still closed, it's still off season, and the map box was empty! Some kids riding bikes recognized that we were new and didn't belong and came over to help, with the verification with their dad or grandma they let us know there weren't any paper maps but we could get one online. So kind!

Adams Lake State Park  Written by: dad After an hour and a half of driving we finally showed up to Adams Lake State Park. It was a warmer day, but even still everything was still covered in snow, even the driveway into the park. I (dad) was excited that he got to drive in the snow. We quickly realized the boys who had refused to take a nap on the way... NEEDED a nap. Mom said, just let's get them outside. I think one of the boys and I forget at this point cried from pure crankiness for the first bit of the trail, but then once he started picking up snow and walking about he was good to go. We walked on the trails in the Nature Center and every quarter mile or so there was a "fun fact" plaque that we read out loud. The boys got a snack at each of these. We saw A LOT of bunny rabbit foot prints. Or squirrels... or raccoons... we are still learning our footprints. Click here for a helpful printable to identify tracks, especially in the snow. One of the things that was inter...