Autumn Leaf Hunt

If you are in an area with fall color, this scavenger hunt works with kids’ inclination to gather as many autumn leaves as they can. This activity focuses their hunting and gathering.

While walking, encourage children to gather one leaf from as many different types of trees as they can. It isn’t necessary to identify the species of tree, unless you’d like to do this. Persuade the kids to notice the basic shape of each leaf as opposed to the color or size. This limitation means that every so often the kids have to compare the leaves they’ve collected and decide which oak or ash leaf they are most attracted to.

If you are in a forested area or a place with a variety of leaves, you can give kids a time limit, say sixty seconds, and push them to collect as many leaves as they can. Then allow the kids to sort the leaves by type. Did any child collect a leaf unlike anyone else’s leaves?

Do You Close Your Eyes in Nature?

It is all too easy while walking to get caught up in one’s thoughts or in a conversation with whomever you are walking with. If you’ve ever had that heart-leaping feeling when you suddenly become aware of your surroundings but can’t remember how you got there then you know what I mean. This isn’t something that only adults do.

I remember one time at work allowing a group of homeschoolers to lead a walk. I didn’t tell them that they were leading the walk. I didn’t really plan this; we were walking and exploring, so it didn’t really matter where we went. They stopped at the edge of the nature center’s front yard and looked both ways before crossing the street. Some of the kids who were walking next to me asked, “Is that the direction we’re going?” I said, “It is now.”

I was the sole adult with ten or so kids, many who’d taken my science and nature classes for a year or two. We ended up dividing into two groups. The group to the front was deep in a conversation. Although they acknowledged diverging paths by stopping, someone in that group would inevitably select the route to take, glance back to see that I and the rest of the group was following and continue ahead.

Of course, the kids walking with me thought that this was hilarious. Although the kids in the lead were familiar with the trails, it was winter and the few inches of snow on the ground had obliterated this less traveled path. At one point, I commented to the group close to me that we were no longer on the trail. They were, of course, a bit concerned that we were lost; but, I knew that we were between two parallel trails and would come upon one of them soon.

The group near me started wondering when the chatting students in the forward group would notice that we were no longer on a trail. The fact that they had been walking for 30 minutes without a destination hadn’t bothered them, but wouldn’t the lack of a trail.

Twenty minutes later, the lead group stopped. We were just 20 or 25 feet behind them so we caught up in a few steps. One student proclaimed, “I think we’re lost. Where are we going by the way?” The kids walking with me broke up laughing. Within five minutes we found the trail. The walk was a bit longer than ‘planned’ but it taught an interesting lesson.

Know where you are going. Whether you are walking in a city or a suburban neighborhood, you’ll get directions so you can go from one place to the next. The number of people who head out without a map into a forest is astounding. When they call on their cell phone they are usually left fumbling as they try to describe their location and get directions back to the parking lot.

So, a couple of things when you set out on a walk, one, know where you are going – will you encounter steep hills, uneven footing, seasonal flooding? Two, pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t get so caught up in thoughts or conversations that you miss trail or street signs.

Glance around and see where you are. Get kids in the habit of stopping and playing observation games. They aren’t just to slow the pace but to train kids (and adults) to notice where they are. At one level, your walks will be safer. On another level, they will be more enjoyable as you notice where you are.

15 Minutes Outside

Whether you are at home or on vacation today, go for a walk with your child. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy walk – 15 minutes will do; and you don’t have to go anywhere ‘special’ for this walk. One of the goals of the walk is to remind yourself and your children that nature isn’t ‘out there’ – some place that takes effort to get to, a place that by some definition is ‘nature.’

Today, walk around the neighborhood and name ten wild things that you and your children can see, hear, feel, or smell. Yep, even if you are taking a 15 minute walk, notice ten things in nature – a crow flies overhead, the rough bark of the tree along the side of the road, crickets chirping, the smell of fresh cut grass, etc.

The time limit, layered onto the simple observation activity, forces you and your children to pay attention to your surroundings. Even if you were going for an hour-long walk, you wouldn’t be able to keep up the intensity of observation. Instead, you’d drift into conversations about schedules and other activities that you’ve done or will do.

After fifteen minutes, you’ll return home full of your experience in nature. Although there may be more trees in the forest, your children will have felt the bark, noticed the shape of the leaves, and seen the birds perching on the branches of the trees you walked past. Nature is everywhere.

Walking Games with Kids

Whether you’ll be walking in the wood, through a park, along a city or suburban sidewalk, or, perhaps, through the mall, these walking games will engage young children. If older children think the game is too silly, then have them take turns leading the game or place them in charge of younger siblings.

Animals on the Move
Have the children pretend to be animals while walking from one spot to the next. At the beginning of this game you can select one or two animals and call them out randomly. Children must then act out that animal’s behavior for ten-to-fifteen seconds.

Fox – Red fox “perfect step,” which means that all four feet move in a single line and that the back feet step in the prints left behind by the front feet. Have the children walk placing one foot in front of another in a straight line.
Rabbit – Hop with feet together.
Hawk – Hold arms out to the side and pretend to soar.
Ant – Crawl along the ground in a straight line.
Geese – Try to walk so all participants are moving in a v-shape.

After introducing each animal and calling out the actions for the children to act out, you should be able to call out the animal’s name at any time and the kids should respond.

Animal Antics
This version allows for more random actions. If you are walking with children who are arguing about who gets to walk at the front of the line, this activity will eliminate the pushing and shoving by rotating the children from the front to the back of the line. Start by telling the children that when the leader make an animal sound, they must then act out the behavior of that animal for a count of ten while continuing to walk.

Select a child to be the leader. Point out a spot up ahead and tell the child that when the group reaches that point she should make an animal sound. (Why point out a place for the child to make the call? Depending on the child’s age, she may make an animal sound immediately upon it becoming her turn and then the group doesn’t get to move very far.) When the group hears the animal sound, they then act out the behavior they believe most appropriate. Rotate leaders.

The challenge with this game is encouraging the children to make the sound loud enough for the other children to hear. As the leader, you can help support the child-leader by encouraging them to repeat the sound as they turn to face the other children.

Now, get walking!

Photography for Kids – Go Out and Take Pictures

The past three days I’ve given tips and “assignments” that can help kids (really anyone) take better photographs. Reading tips, however, isn’t enough; kids need to explore nature with a camera in hand. The nature can be in their backyard, at a state forest, or at their summer camp. Kids can give themselves a goal – take 25 pictures a day, for example. They could take 25 pictures in ten minutes or over the course of ten hours. If they find an interesting subject they could take additional photographs.

I know a graphic designer who received a camera one Christmas and made it his goal to take 100 pictures each day, thereby teaching himself how to be a photographer. Granted, he had a trained artist’s eye, but still, he did a lot of experimentation as he played with the best angle to photograph ice and learned how the lighting at different times of day affected the forest, the field, water.

The first thing, of course, is that kids need access to a camera. There are enough inexpensive digital cameras that will allow a kid or teen to experiment without the concerns that come with borrowing mom or dad’s camera for a day. Here are some other tips for kids …

- Read the manual. It may be boring but it will tell you about features on the camera that you might overlook.
- Keep the batteries or camera charged. Have an extra set for backup. I’ve known a lot of kids that have had to stop taking pictures because their batteries died ten minutes after they turned on their camera.
- Download photos regularly and clear you memory card. There is nothing worse than losing a photo-taking opportunity because you are scanning through your camera’s memory trying to decide what to delete.
- Set a goal each day. Take pictures at different times of day. Do the “assignments” in composition, lighting, and angles.

Finding Peace of Mind in Nature

I’ve spent the last week and a half coping with my father going from the hospital to a nursing home. This has been an opportunity for me to clean through 37 years of stuff … in many cases because I need to get my hand on a document or item.

This stress has meant that I haven’t spent much time outdoors; in some cases, I didn’t even look out a window for hours. I pushed myself this weekend to make time for my walk. I have to admit that there is so much stuff going on in my head (to do lists, questions for the nursing home) that I walked but saw nothing. Today, my head cleared for moments so that I actually noticed squirrels and birds and insect-chewed maple leaves.

Encourage your children, whether they are two or twelve, to discover that nature can be a refuge for confusing feelings. While teaching them this, you too will develop this habit if you do not already possess it.

Don’t wait for your child to experience turmoil over an argument with a friend or a bad grade or another disappointment. Practice this stillness activity when your child is in a happy or relaxed mood so they will be receptive to the activity.

Activity 1: Find a quiet spot where there is someplace to sit – lush grass, a boulder, a log. Sit so you cannot touch anyone else in the group, giving each individual their own space. Move no body part but your neck, which will allow you to turn your head from side-to-side. Announce that everyone will sit still and observe for thirty seconds or five minutes or whatever works for the child’s age and temperament. That’s it. After the allotted time, stand up and walk a bit. If desired, everyone can discuss what they observed.

Activity 2: For a more active experience, each person walks without speaking to anyone. Set your feet quietly on the ground, trying to pass silently until you reach that rock up ahead on the path or for a set amount of time.

Both activities encourage observation and, perhaps, a bit of quiet reflection. When you child is used to the activities, and you know he or she is sad or disappointment, encourage the child to go outside, even if it is in the backyard, as opposed to allowing your child to brood in their bedroom. Your child may or may not feel better outside, but it is worth the try to get them to notice what is around them and not just what is going on inside their head.

Go Outside for a Walk with Your Children

As an adult, do you associate the outdoors with chores such as mowing the lawn and gardening; sports (as a spectator and as a participant); or with outdoor recreation such as canoeing/kayaking, mountain biking, or hiking up mountains?

You know your kids should spend more time – more free time – outside, but they do sports and have recess at school, so is that enough? However, look at spending time outdoors not just as a “kid” and not even as a “family” thing, but as something that everyone can enjoy in their own special way. The outdoors doesn’t have to be about chores, sports, and organized activities. Spending time outside can be as simple as taking a walk.

Think of a walk as exercise for your body, mind, and spirit. Your heart will pump a little more, your thoughts may seem a little clearer, and your heart may lift a bit higher as you watch the changes of the seasons. A walk is simple. You can direct your child with a few Hiking Games to Get You Moving Outdoors, or just allow your children to explore as they will. If your children like to meander and look at things, then plan to walk a shorter distance so you can stay within your time expectations.

Where to go? Go beyond your backyard and walk through your neighborhood. Explore wooded areas around schoolyards and recreations fields as long as they aren’t posted as private property (they may be an extension of the school or town’s property). Ask other families if they walk in nature and where they go. Look on your town’s website for walking trails.

Do an Internet search of your state and find out what conservation and recreation organizations have locations in your area. Although many charge an annual membership fee, that can work out cheaper than paying one-time trail fees. Before you join, make certain that there are sites within an hour of your house. Closer than that is better because then it won’t feel like an ordeal to drive the distance to take a short walk and then have to drive home. The closer the locations to your home, the more likely you’ll go walking when your child has a half day at school or plans fall through on Saturday morning and you’re wonder what to do for a few hours.

Be creative in getting yourself and your children outdoors for a walk. I love walking the paths of a local cemetery. I’ve found wooded walking paths around a couple of museums. Make a list; keep a file of trail maps the way you keep a file of pizza places. Know where you can get to in less than twenty minutes; jot down notes about what you and your kids liked and didn’t like at different locations. Put on your sneakers and go outside.

Nature Trail Code Game

This game requires two teams of at least two players each – one of the players on each team can be an adult. You can play this in a large, forested backyard or along the trail in a state forest. Avoid playing this in a wide open space because one team will be setting trail markers that tell the other team where to go.

You can make the patterns below with sticks or stones (or leaves, but they can get blown away). Of course, you can create your own codes, but both teams should do this together so the teams speak a common language. A representative of each team should record the codes on index cards or in a nature notebook so they don’t forget their stick and stone language.

One team heads out, laying trail codes that the other team will follow. Set the markers in the center of the trail. Although the sticks or stones should be large enough to be easily seen, there is no need to make them so large that they become a tripping hazard. After a ten minute or so head start, the second team sets out, reading the codes and following the team.

The first team continues laying markers for another ten minutes and then they can find an ending spot, just off the trail, where they can wait, perhaps with some snacks to share with the second team. For the trip back, the second team heads out first, laying new trail markers for the other team to follow.

/|\
Go Straight

----->
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Turn Right (reverse the direction of the arrow to indicate “Turn Left”)

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| \ /
Turn around and Go Back


\ /
/ \
Not This Way

_ _ _ _
_ _ | _ _
Cross the Stream

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Gone Home

A Secret Treasure Walk

Originally published 4/05/2011 at explorealongtheway.com

This activity is a slight variation on the scavenger hunt and it can be included along with other activities the children may engage in while walking. At the beginning of your walk, tell your child or children that they want to look for a secret treasure. This treasure is not something that they will pick up. In fact, it doesn’t have to be something that someone could see or touch; it may be something that the child can hear or smell.

The key element of the secret treasure is that, whatever it is, it should be something that makes the child smile.

Another fundamental aspect to this activity is that when the child (or adult) notices their secret treasure, they should keep it secret and not point it out to other people. This item or experience should not be something the kids have on a scavenger hunt list. In fact, they shouldn’t be expecting to find it at all. It is this unexpected quality that makes it a treasure.

For example, on this morning’s walk the ground was wet and many earthworms were scattered over the sides of the road. I was walking along, alone, and watching that I wasn’t stomping on the still wriggling creatures (I have an odd fondness for earthworms – oftentimes, I’ll pick up worms and set them back onto soil). Then, I noticed in the sand, leftover from the icy winter weather, random curving lines that created a crackle pattern in the damp sand.

Obviously I was looking at the numerous trails of earthworms, far more tracks than even the quantity of earthworms I’d seen on the road could have made. In the warm, wet dark of the previous night the earthworms crept above ground rejoicing in the return to spring and the fact that they were no longer trapped under the frozen topsoil.

As I am sharing my secret treasure at the end of my walk, so you and your children can share your secret treasures. It doesn’t matter if more than one person treasured the same object or experience (since the item stays in nature we can share the memory). We may become jealous of another’s observations (only one person saw the hawk overhead) and it challenges us to sharpen our observation skills the next time.

What Did You See on Your Walk?

Originally published 4/04/2011 at explorealongtheway.com

Yesterday morning the sky was clear blue and the swollen buds on the maples and the beech caught the light just so, making me wish that I had my camera with me. Today the sky was a heavy gray. Cold raindrops (a few looking suspiciously like snowflakes) pelted me on and off. What the two days had in common was that I sighted an impressive flock of wild turkeys with three males on full display, their tails fanned.

On Sunday I counted 14 (or so) turkeys; I didn’t want to get too close and they were on the move. Today I saw the flock twice and both times I counted 18 turkeys. There are probably some Jakes (young males) in the crowd, but I didn’t see the fluffy starts of any beards (an odd feather that sticks out from the chest and gets longer as the male gets older and claims the more familiar moniker, a Tom turkey).

One of the hens (named Jenny, no matter her age) got spooked by my presence – I really wasn’t that close (I was chased once by two turkeys that I got too close to; I won’t make that mistake again) – and she flapped her wings a couple of times. I wasn’t certain if it was me or the other turkeys who were supposed to take warning; however, none of the other turkeys responded.

I was a bit disappointed that they didn’t take flight; watching a feathered basketball-shaped body flying (up to 30 miles an hour) is astounding and a bit nerve-wracking (particularly if it is flying overhead). However, watching the meandering crowd being directed by the Toms was worth the chill in my muscles.

And then, when I got home, I looked up and saw a Great Blue Heron, looking like a pterodactyl in flight, go overhead. Cool. Yeah Spring!

Play the "What Will We Find?" Scavenger Hunt

Originally published 4/03/2011 at explorealongtheway.com

This may be the ultimate scavenger hunt game, one that requires no materials, no gathering of items, miniscule planning, and can be played day after day. The guidelines are simple, before you head out the door on your walk or while on the car drive to your hiking site create a list of five things that you’ll look for during the walk.

The first few times that you ask kids for a list of things that they think they will find you might end up with a list that looks something like, “rock, cloud, bird, dirt, grass.” However, you can start to guide children toward being more specific. For example, if kids can identify robins, then ask them if they will find the robins moving in a large flock (as in winter and early spring) or hanging out solo (after they’ve formed mated pairs in the spring and summer).

Look for a yellow flower as opposed to a flower, a white rock instead of any old rock. If you play this game one day after another, then kids will remember what they saw the day before and they can decide beforehand how many things will be there for a second or even third day in a row.

Everyone notices the first day the daffodils bloom but will you notice the day the blooms are gone? How about challenging kids to a “What Won’t We Find?” Scavenger Hunt? Keep the list realistic since it’s just cheating to say that you won’t find an elephant on your New England-based walk. This could be a fun option during the spring or fall when kids can predict the day all the leaves will finish falling from the Japanese maple at the corner of your street.

This self-directed scavenger hunt can be tweaked for any age child that you are walking with. Older kids could create their own lists so two or three kids walking together would be looking for their own set of items. How specific the items are depends on a child’s background and level of nature knowledge – so, butterfly, orange butterfly, monarch butterfly.

And don’t limit your hunt items to something you can see. Try a sound scavenger hunt, a texture hunt, or a scent search not only for variety but to help kids develop their nature awareness with a variety of senses. Want a little more focus to your walk? Try Theme Walks with Children for ideas that will add a little diversity to your journeys with kids.

The Logistics of Exploring Nature with Kids

Originally published 4/01/2011 at explorealongtheway.com

Everything that you read and hear about kids spending more time outdoors sounds logical. In fact, you think it would be great for your family to go walking in nature during weekends. But where should you start? What do you need to bring with you? What if the kids are miserable and they refuse to go hiking a second time?

Check out How Families Can Take a Successful Nature Walk or Hike with Kids for ideas on keeping kids fed, watered, and entertained whether the walk lasts thirty minutes or two hours. At minimum, bring along water, snacks, basic first aid supplies, sunscreen, insect repellent, a map of the location’s trail system, and a cell phone – turned off, but handy in an emergency.

Which may bring up the thought, how long should you go walking with kids? If neither you nor the kids are used to hiking in the woods, start with five minutes for each year old the child is (or the average age of a few children).

When this proves successful, go with seven-to-ten minutes for each year old. Of course, this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule and it doesn’t mean uninterrupted walking time. Allow some time for snack or water breaks, exploration, and even games – like “I Spy” – or the occasional art project. Thirty minutes of walking can be broken with other activities so you may end up spending an hour or more out on your “walk.”

Remember, that “down time” is probably as important as movement – if you just want exercise, then walk quickly; but, if you really want to appreciate your time in nature, you’ll need to meander so you can actually notice your surroundings; Help Children Develop an Appreciation of Nature with Observation. If you enjoy the experience of walking in nature, chances are your children will develop an enthusiasm for exploring the outdoors.

Tree Observation Activities with Kids

Originally published 3/28/2011 at explorealongtheway.com

Although I love walking in the forest, I truly enjoy walking through parks. There is something about walking along a path and seeing individual trees growing separate from one another as opposed to seeing the jumble of a forest that makes me better appreciate the beauty of trees. I think that sometimes people get caught up by the number of trees around them and just see ‘trees’ instead of learning to recognize the distinctive qualities of ‘maples,’ ‘ash,’ or ‘oaks.’

The following activities help children, and adults, notice and then recognize unique characteristics about trees than can then help them identify the trees in their area. You can do these activities with just you and one child or with a group of up to fifteen (break up larger groups).

Tree Silhouette Charades – Notice the overall shape of the trees. Although trees in a park may get lower branches cut off for the safety of human visitors, the shape of different species of trees is distinct. For this game, It looks around and uses his or her body to form the shape of a tree he or she can see. The other players try to figure out which tree It is representing and point to that tree. This works well in winter with bare trees as well as in the summer with trees that have a full canopy of leaves.

Two-Minute Sketches – Give each participant a stack of approximately ten blank index cards and a black marker. Stand someplace where everyone can see a variety of trees with unique shapes. Working quickly, participants sketch the general shape of as many trees as they can within two minutes. Because they don’t have much time, players won’t get bogged down with details.

When time’s up, the leader points to a tree and participants who drew that tree show off their pictures. If you have a competitive group, players can vote for the most realistic sketch for each tree. For a non-competitive activity, after pointing to a tree, ask the participants to describe the shape of the tree with words and then show off the sketches. Players can self-evaluate if their description matches their drawing.

Do you remember drawing ‘lollipop’ trees as a child? These quick activities make kids and adults aware of the distinctive shapes possessed by different species of trees. These activities can be a first step toward noting the individuality of trees and moving closer to learning how to identify trees. For more fun with trees, read Leaf Identification Games and Activities.

What's Up?

Originally published 3/14/2011 at explorealongtheway.com

At this time of year, when I go for a walk, I tend to look down. I’ve always been a bit of a klutz and I feel safer keeping my eye on ice, mud, sand, and the inevitable potholes. This morning, I forced myself to look up.

It wasn’t difficult. The juncos and black-capped chickadees kept zipping across my path. I was berated by more than one crow, although the robins quietly watched my walk past their perches in the trees. I did see two hawks sitting next to one another on a branch, which brought many happy feelings and a big, “awww.”

A single sycamore leave twisted at the end of its limb. Squirrel drays, round nests of oak leaves nestled in the crotch of trees. I started counting them (I count a lot of things after thirteen years of taking kids into the woods) and then lost track of the drays as I tried to figure out if the shape in the distance was a male turkey or a really convincing shrub.

If when you walk outdoors you normally stare straight ahead or look down, try looking up every so often. At this time of year you can watch the buds on the trees swell and then burst. You can catch the songbirds claiming their territories as they chase away the competition. And, one of my favorites, looking for interesting shapes in clouds.

Looking up isn’t a hard thing to do. However, when I watch many people walk along, their eyes never gaze skyward. Chances are, though, that on the way to looking up you’ll find yourself looking around and perhaps finding some small joy in what nature is presenting.

Gratitude Meditation

Originally published 3/12/2011 at explorealongtheway.com

I’ve read numerous books and articles that claim your happiness or joy for life will increase if you develop a daily habitat of expressing your gratitude. Depending on the author, the suggestions lean toward keeping a journal in which you write three-to-ten things for which you are grateful. Apparently, it is impossible to feel down or depressed when you are acknowledging those people, occurrences, and events that you appreciate.

Try taking a walk with your children, naming those things for which you are grateful. Be specific. Saying that you appreciate trees doesn’t say anything about trees. Instead, notice that gratitude focuses on particular things.

On my solo walk today I was grateful for the dozen robins doing their quick-stop-quick tango-like dash over the drab lawn. I was grateful for the crisp air that helped wake me up – particularly since we turned the clocks ahead and I woke earlier than my normal time. I was grateful for the view of the early morning sunlight frosting a line of pines. I was grateful for the blue sky and sunlight while walking (an hour later the sky was blanketed with gray clouds). I was grateful for the gray squirrels dashing around; they always cheer me up.

As you walk, state aloud something that catches your eye and for which you are grateful. Encourage your children or whomever you are with to do the same. You may find that expressing your gratitude for nature persuades you to make connections to the other aspects of your life for which you are grateful. For example, watching the birds chasing one another makes me think of the approaching mating season and then prompts me to express my gratitude for the presence in my life of my husband of four months.

If you are doing this with your children, you may want to go home and record some of these in a journal or as a poem. Children can draw or paint a picture and include a line with the image expressing their gratitude for nature.

Don’t limit this to a “do it /did it” sort of activity. Repeat it often. You will find that stating your gratitude while sitting in the house and while moving outdoors creates a different quality to the things that are mentioned.

Wandering in Nature

Originally published 3/12/2011 at explorealongtheway.com

Why did I start a nature activity blog in March when, quite honestly, I’m a bit of a weather wimp? I don’t like being cold or walking through deep snow or over ice. For years I’ve toyed with the idea of taking up cross-country skiing or snowshoeing so I could get a better appreciation of winter, but I’ve never mustered the motivation. I’m happy to appreciate nature in winter by gazing through my window.

Don’t get me wrong, if there is less than six inches of snow on the ground and there isn’t a brisk wind, I love walking in the winter. Part of my point is that you don’t have to be into numerous outdoor recreational activities in order to appreciate nature.

Today, I took an early morning walk in the park where I walk all but the winter months. The wind was brisker than I’d like it to be but I needed to get outside without a group of students in tow. Most of the snow has melted except for the plowed piles alongside the roads within the park. Some of these piles are so encrusted that they look a bit like sand castings.

I spotted a couple of chipmunks staring over the top of one pile of sand and snow. When I turned to look at them they vanished, the first chipmunks that I’ve seen since last autumn. Gray squirrels ran here and there, startled by my presence. I saw no white-tailed deer although with the snow gone a winter’s worth of scat was revealed in pebbly piles.

I looked up at one point and saw a hawk flying against the sun. I wondered if it was the red-tail I’ve often seen during warmer weather. The hawk landed in a pine then soared in a half circle, sinking over the other side of a hill, likely in search of one of those chipmunks pushing its way up out of its winter den.

Appreciating nature doesn’t have to take a lot of time, nor does it require any recreational equipment aside from some comfortable sneakers. It only requires some time, a place, and a bit of attention.