Nature Hike Series #1

 Winter is coming.

If you live in the midwest, you know: winter is coming. And after the summer of Covid, the cold long nights that are awaiting us seems like a dreary forecast. I grew up in sunny Southern California and move to the Mitten State when I was in high school. I've lived in Michigan for over 28 years and I still resist the winter months. It's hard to get outside when it's cold. On top of that, kids add another layer of planning that has to take place when we want to be outside of the house. I was talking with two gal pals both have a newborn + other little ones. We were exploring this issue: How do I get my little kids outside in the cold while managing the effort it takes so that I can enjoy the experience?" 

If you have little ones under let's say under 6 years old, it can be hard to bring them along with the idea of "walking in nature." Yet we know based on research, being in nature is an important part of all around health. In the early Spring, I started taking my two girls (8 years and 4 years) on mini hikes so that we could build the habit and stamina for longer walks. Some people hear the word hike and they think long miles on difficult terrain. This common definition can detour the parent from taking the child on this adventure.  There are many variables that stop us from venturing out with little ones. These perceived obstacles can prevent a parent. As I listened to my friends talk about all the variables that stop them, I realized that this desire to be outside saddled with the sometimes unpredictable behavior of kids can be manageable. 

Over the next two months, I will share a weekly Nature Hike that my family has taken. I live in West Michigan so the walks will be focused in that area. As the cold weather sets in, I encourage you to take these walks and comment on your experiences. Feel free to share other ideas that we can also highlight. 

Here are the criteria I use for the destination hike. 

1) Short distance: .5-2 miles long or around 45 mins or so of walking as a child's pace. 

2) When possible, easy back to car loops so that parent can rest comfortably knowing the "stuff" is nearby. 

3) Easily marked trails for low maintenance navigation. 

4) Simple and mostly flat trails that are easy to walk on.

Nature Hike #1: Pigeon Creek Park: 12524 Stanton Street, West Olive, MI 49460

Click here: Ottawa County Parks Web Page

Many people know Pigeon Creek for its sledding and skiing. There are groomed trails that weave around the park. But a little hidden gem is located on the Northside of Stanton: Pigeon Creek Summer Trail. Park in the lot. There might be horses, but they use the blue trails only. Use the map to make a nice loop. We followed Northside Trail (brown trail): 12 to 16 to 17 to 12. It took about 45 mins with lots of stick collecting along the way. 

FYI: There is a outhouse located across the street on the edge of southeast parking lot for emergency needs.