Until I visited Lake Balboa at Anthony C. Beilenson Park in Van Nuys with The Little Explorer a little more than a year ago, I had no idea there were some 2,000 cherry blossom trees right here in Los Angeles.It turns out that an anonymous Japanese benefactor donated the trees, which were planted in 1992 (at least, according to Wikipedia). These beauties originated from a single … [Read more...]
Nature Art for Kids: Stacked Rock Sculptures
I’d seen pictures of amazing stacked rock sculptures before, but never in real life. Until we stumbled into what can only be described as a stacked rock sculpture garden on a recent hike in Yosemite National Park.The sculpture garden sits across from one of the most picturesque spots in the park – Mirror Lake. (The lake is famous for its reflections of Half Dome and Mount … [Read more...]
Winter Activities for Families in Yosemite: Snow Tubing at Badger Pass
It might have taken us until closing day of the 2012 Badger Pass Ski Area season to get there, but we finally made it! Part of our recent Spring break getaway to Yosemite National Park included a new outdoor adventure for us all: snow tubing. Badger Pass is nothing if not quaint and idyllic. It bills itself as “unpretentious, friendly and affordable” and I think that about … [Read more...]
6 Tips for a Great Backyard Easter Egg Hunt
I don’t remember having Easter egg hunts in my backyard as a kid, but we certainly enjoy them now. Nothing fancy, mind you. But our hunts are something The Explorers look forward to every year. While there’s no real trick to creating the perfect backyard Easter egg hunt, there are a few things to keep in mind to help the big event go a little smoother. Decide when to … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Explore Nature in April
Spring is in the air and the incentive to head outdoors is stronger than ever. It doesn’t hurt that April is full of nature celebrations – including Earth Day, Picnic for the Planet, and the Children & Nature Network’s Let’s G.O.! (Get Outside) event. If you’re looking for a few easy ways to spend time in nature this month, you’ve come to the right place. Along with this … [Read more...]