This weekend we took our inspiration from the spotty patches of sunshine to break free of our winter routine (reading, baking, jigsaw puzzles, afternoon movies and such) and reacquaint ourselves with the great outdoors.

On Sunday we visited the Audubon Society for their Wildlife Care Center’s Open House. The event was so popular there was a two-hour wait to take a tour, but we met some of the amazing birds (owls, a turkey vulture and some kestrels) outside the center with their caretakers and took an easy, muddy hike around the nearby trails. My son was in heaven, running along the trails, choosing our path at each fork, pointing out fungi and moss growing on the fallen trees, listening for birds and generally having a muddy good time.

On Monday (Presidents’ Day) we awoke to more sun, so we drove out to Multnomah Falls and hiked up to the top. (That is quite a climb!) When we arrived at the top, we found a tranquil forest pool. We were so enamored by the little patch of heaven we decided to find an idyllic cabin in the redwoods for our summer road trip destination. Until then, there’s plenty of idyllic forest to be discovered right here in the Portland metro area!

Need more inspiration to get out and commune with nature? Check out this info from the National Wildlife Federation about kids and the great outdoors:

• Children are spending half as much time outdoors as they did 20 years ago.
• In a typical week, only 6 percent of children ages 9-13 play outside on their own.
• Children who play outside are more physically active, more creative in their play, less aggressive and show better concentration.
• Sixty minutes of daily unstructured free play is essential to children’s physical and mental health.
• The most direct route to caring for the environment as an adult is participating in “wild nature activities” before the age of 11.

You don’t have to go far to appreciate the natural wonders of the Great Northwest! Find more ideas about encouraging your kids to spend time outdoors and explore nature in your neighborhood at NWF’s “Get Outside” Web site.

And tell us … what’s your favorite local nature area?

February 16th, 2010 | Category: Health and Wellness, Nature