#guentheradventures

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...

Miami Whitewater Forest really does have a little something for everyone.

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.

  Renchtler Forest Preserve I think is a well hidden gem. Not to say that it is hidden, but I don't think people really know of it's beautiful trails inside this Metropark.

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...