Weekend Adventures

For years, my excuse for not getting out into the wilderness a little more often was "I'm too busy." Then one day I had the brilliant revelation that I will always be too busy. Always.

I had to find a plan, some way of prioritizing and making time for the things that were really important to me. That's when I discovered the concept of weekend adventures. OK, it's not rocket science, but I think this can be almost as great, and it's certainly a lot simpler.

Here's the idea: plan 2-6 weeks in advance, and put your weekend adventure on the calendar. For every few weeks it's a good idea to have a foul-weather-alternative handy, but with a little creativity you can spend a part of almost every weekend outdoors, and not just in your own backyard. I personally type up a chore schedule for my week anyway, dividing my responsibilities between days. Though I'm not the typical "type A," I inherited an irrational delight in crossing things off of to do lists (thanks a lot, Mom!), and this is my way to satisfy that urge. So in planning my weekend adventures, I simply add an adventure for every Sunday (my day off). If I know in advance that my schedule will be busy, I'll put a small one on there, and if I'll have extra time I'll make it a big one, sometimes even an overnighter.

It's almost idiotically simple, but when I've planned ahead we look forward to these outings. This anticipation motivates us off of the couch and into the fresh air every time. Not only do I enjoy just "getting out," but planning has helped me to get to know my area like I never would have before. I still have my favorite hikes, but now I do new ones on a regular basis because I look for them before the last minute.

One great help in planning has been a local tourism guide that I picked up at the bookstore. It has a great listing of free things, outdoor things, indoor things... really all of the things I could have wanted, and all nearby. Other good resources are The Best In Tent Camping guides, Hiking Missouri, or whichever state you prefer.

My husband has vouched for this approach because he lived in Missouri his whole life and had never heard of some of the great places we'd been. My only regret is that I never did this in the other areas I've lived in. We've got 34 weekends left in 2008: let's enjoy them! Read more!

A field guide to field guides

One great way to get involved with the nature around you is to invest in a few field guides. They come in a variety of sizes, ranging from pocket pamphlets to hefty bookshelf adornments. Whatever you opt for, most are easy to use, and its amazing how quickly they change the way you walk in the woods.

Once I got a few guides, I didn't just glance over the flowers, trees, and birds. I stopped, payed attention to detail, and looked them up. Several years ago I moved halfway across the country, and while much of the flora and fauna stayed the same, there were plenty of new things that I didn't recognize. I grew up in the Northeast, and was pretty familiar with that area, but here in the Midwest I am continually discovering new and exciting things to look up. Just the other day I was out for a walk and noticed some beautiful spring flowers that grew close to the ground. The top half of each flower was white, and the bottom half light blue. I hadn't brought my wildflower book with me, so when I got home I raced to the bookshelf and identified them as Blue-eyed Marys (in photo at top). That was a new one for me: I knew Black-eyed Susans, but I'd never even heard of these!

Silly? Maybe, but how fun to know just one more thing about the world around me. Just imagine what that kind of enthusiasm can do for kids! Instead of having to answer every question with, "I don't know..." when your child asks you to identify something, with a field guide you can say, "Let's look it up!"

My favorite broad regional field guides are put out by the National Audubon Society, but they are available at most major bookstores. I find them informative without being overwhelming, and they have great pictures with intuitive organization that makes it easy to find what you're looking for.

If you really want to get into things, though, I recommend both the Audubon Society guides and more localized guides as well. Most states have local field guides: I especially like those of Stan Tekiela. They are an excellent size to take hiking, and help narrow things down to the specimens that you are most likely to find in your area. His photographs are excellent, and his personal notes are quite helpful. Read more!

Nature & Science II

OK, this one's easy. But it's fun, and the learning involved can be adjusted to any age level. Get yourself a piece of celery, some Queen Anne's Lace, or a white Carnation. Put it in a glass of water tinted with food coloring. Wait and see what happens...

Need directions? Check out "How to Stem Dye Celery" at eHow.com. Celery is probably your best choice for really studying the plant's cells, as they are large enough to be visible to the naked eye, but the flowers show more dramatic color changes. (C'mon, you didn't really think those green Carnations for St. Patty's were naturally that color, did you?)

While waiting for your results, talk to your children about how the xylem and phloem work in plants, or Google it to refresh the process for yourself. Doing an adult project? Don't worry, plant cells can be complicated enough to keep anyone interested. Have fun! Read more!

Nature & Science

One reason that I think people aren't always excited about getting into the world around us is that they just don't know how much it has to offer. I'd like to dedicate the next several blogs to a few fun ways for kids and adults to learn a little bit more about the world around them.

When I think of outdoor "science projects," the first one that comes to mind is building a scale solar system. One of my favorite memories as a child is of constructing a solar system to scale in my (very large) backyard. My mother made me do all of the calculations myself, but if you want to build a solar system model and you're not trying to practice your math skills, check out this website. All you have to do is enter the size that you want your "sun" to be, and go to it.

Maybe it's just that I'm a big nerd, but this project still holds a lot of appeal to me as an adult. It's a great way to get back that sense of wonder, if only for a few hours.

Cautionary note: after you enter the size of your "sun," be sure to check just how much space you'll be needing for this solar system... you may need to do this at a park! Read more!

Us & Them II

Now for the domesticated animals. The most common fear that I see in adults and children alike is the fear of dogs. Yet dogs are all around us- you can hardly walk down a city street, go to the park, or visit a friend's house without coming into contact with them. Not everyone is a dog-lover, but knowing how to properly interact with dogs can make life a lot easier, particularly if you ever plan on being outdoors.

Here are some great tips that I've borrowed from Wikihow:

1. If the dog seems receptive to petting (not growling, jumping and no tail between the legs), then hold your hand in front of the dog's nose with the back part of your hand exposed to the dog, loosely curled almost to a fist (this will keep your fingers from being bitten).
2. Let the dog sniff your hand. If the dog looks up at you (away from your hand) you should be safe to open your hand with the palm toward the dog and fingers extended.
3. If the dog still shows no sign of aggression, slowly stroke the dog's neck just under the jaw.
4. If you have been successful to this point, you may move your hand across the back.
5. Be aware that some dogs are "head-shy" and do not like being petted on top of the head. Also some dogs dislike having their hind-ends petted. Any growl, tail down or sudden moves should signal that you need to STOP what you are doing immediately and stand still. No sudden moves of your own.

I would add to these that before approaching any dog, ask permission first. Never pet a working dog (i.e. Seeing Eye, or other guide dog). These dogs will be clearly distinguishable by their harnesses, and it is not appropriate to pet them. They have a job to do, and their owner is relying on them not to be distracted. With all other dogs, the owner can tell you not only if it is OK to pet their dog, but how their dog is likely to react.

For example, I own a dog that is head-shy. She likes to meet new people and be petted, but if a stranger approaches her and tries to directly pet her on top of the head, she will dodge away. Her "dodging" is a safe way for her to avoid what she perceives as a threat, but not all dogs will simply dodge. Some may bite out of fear if a person ignores their attempts to avoid this kind of contact. I can always tell a child or adult that is educated on canine body language because they approach following the steps above, and my dog is relaxed and confident.

Canine body language is universal, and generally quite straightforward. That being said, many people think that they are more familiar with it than they really are. For example, most people know that tail wagging is generally friendly and that they should avoid dogs that are growling at them with their hackles up. However, the vast majority of dog bites happen when a dog has given signs to a human that they are uncomfortable, and the human has ignored them, such as in the scenario above.

Fear is a powerful motivator, and if you ignore the fact that you have threatened a dog, you are likely to get bitten, so it is important to pay attention. Very slight tail wagging is a sign that a dog is unsure of its situation. If a dog is licking its chops when there is no food around, putting its ears back, or showing the whites of its eyes and looking sideways, be sure to give it space. All of these behaviors are signs that the dog is uneasy. At this point there is no need for panic- the dog isn't necessarily about to attack, but it does mean that you need to back off and give it some space.

Two good resources on canine body language, complete with helpful photographs, are at familypaws and Wikipedia.

It is extremely important to teach children about dog safety. Showing them pictures and explaining how they should react to these situations is a good way to help prepare them to these interactions. If you decide to take this approach, be sure to do it in a positive manner. Be encouraging, and help motivate kids with sympathy rather than fear: "See what the doggy is doing? He is scared, so we need to leave him alone. We don't want to scare him." vs "Look at this doggy. Don't touch him, or he will bite you." Children need to be informed, but terrifying them won't help!

Some basic rules for kids & adults could be:

1. Don't ever touch a dog that is eating, walk between the dog and its food, or try to take food away.
2. Don't approach or try to touch dogs that are sick or injured.
3. Don't hug dogs- it makes them feel trapped. Hugs mean completely different things to us & them.
4. Don't run, make loud noises, or move quickly around dogs. They can be frightened easily, and their response to fast movements can be fearful or aggressive.

This one for adults:

5. DO NOT leave children unattended with dogs. Kids are unpredictable, and they are often oblivious to the signals that dogs are sending them. Educate children about how to interact with dogs, but don't leave them on their own. The sweetest dog in the world will still bite out of fear or pain, and this is a completely avoidable tragedy.

If you have read the facts and looked at pictures and still are concerned, or feel that you need more help, try contacting a local dog trainer or the humane society. Some trainers and organizations will offer courses on safe dog interactions. They can provide more information and a trustworthy environment to practice your newfound skills.

Dogs are wonderful animals that desire and enjoy human interaction. Owners should take all possible precautions to teach their dogs how to safely interact with humans and to be tolerant of human actions, but it is ultimately up to each of us to ensure our own safety, and that of our children. In this case, education is the best way to ensure that human/canine interactions will be safe and enjoyable. Read more!

Us & Them, part I

Recently I was talking with a friend when he happened to mention that his daughter is afraid of dogs. We had a good conversation about it, which sparked further conversation with my husband on the same topic, which in turn has sparked this entry.

Fear of animals, domestic or otherwise, is a sad thing. Certainly animals can be dangerous, and many people have had bad experiences with them. However, at the conclusion of our conversation, my husband and I were both convinced that a few preventative measures can both help people have positive experiences with animals, and make them more confident.

Any time we are out in nature, we have an increased likelihood of coming in contact with animals. Many people like to take their dogs or horses out on trails, and many wild animals inhabit the areas that we like to escape to. A little "animal 101" can help kids and adults prepare for the inevitable.

Different rules apply to domestic and wild animals. Wild animals should not be approached, whether it's cute little Bambi or a baby bird that seems to have fallen out of its nest. Human interference will often put a wild animal's life at risk. Wild animals that are too comfortable around humans must sometimes be destroyed because their confidence makes them dangerous.

In the same breath, humans are also at risk when approaching wild animals, particularly babies. Often their parents are nearby, and they will go to great lengths to protect their young. Additionally, injured or sick animals can be even more dangerous and unpredictable than healthy ones. If you see a wild animal that you believe needs help, do yourself and it a favor, and contact a trained professional to deal with the situation. However, some interactions cannot be avoided, and this is when a little body language knowledge can go a long way.

Say you're out hiking and you meet a bear. Know that direct eye contact is almost always seen as a challenge to animals, and I can guarantee that you do not want to duke things out. Humans are remarkably resourceful, but your lack of hide, fang, and claw will leave you at a serious disadvantage. I promise.

So you don't want to challenge animals, but you also don't want to become a target, right? Continue to stand at your full stature, and if you are in a group, stand very close together. This will make you seem large enough that the animal in question will think twice.

Finally, your biggest problem is often that you have put yourself in the animal's territory. They use trails too! So, while avoiding eye contact and standing tall, it is usually advisable to back very slowly away, preferably off of the trail if possible. Note that it is important not to turn your back, and not to run. You cannot outrun a wild animal that is attacking you, and turning your back and/or running will often trigger aggressive instincts (particularly prey instincts) that the animal may not have otherwise acted upon.

If an animal does attack, usually your best response is to drop into a fetal position with your hands clasped behind your neck to protect it. No matter what the animal does, PLAY DEAD! This will not ever be instinctive, but it has saved more than one person's life.

But now for the good news: wild animals very rarely want to be around humans, and almost never view them as prey. They will do what they can to avoid you, so if you know that you're hiking in bear country, make a little noise. Talk with partners, sing, or whistle if you're alone. If you're rounding a blind corner, make sure to do it slowly and to make noise. Pay attention to wind direction: if you are downwind, animals won't smell you coming. Education and awareness can do so much to guarantee a positive experience.

Finally, educate yourself about the kind of wildlife you are likely to meet on your hikes. Find out what steps you can take to share the land with them safely. Next post: interacting with the domesticated ones! Read more!