Winter great time for nature watching

Once a little snow falls on the ground most people aren’t thinking about spending the day hiking in the woods.  But actually, it’s the best time of year for novice naturalists to discover all sorts of wonderful things that can’t be as easily found at other times of year.

Animal tracking. Right after newly fallen snow, head out to a hiking trail and look to the sides of the trail. Usually you’ll spot some sort of animal track. My kids have found a variety of large and small tracks in the snow that they haven’t been able to spot in the warmer months. The side-by-side tracks of a rabbit hopping along were one of the more exciting discoveries for the girls one year. And even if you don’t spot any wild animal tracks, identifying dog prints and having the kids guess at the size and breed of the dog that made them can be a lot of fun as well.

Winter Birding. For birding fans, the lack of leaves on the trees offers some great views of our winter bird residents. For kids interested in nature photography – even those with inexpensive cameras with minimal zoom - can usually catch a nice birding shot at this time of year.

Christmas Bird Count in December. Audubon’s Christmas bird count is a good way to get connected to a fun, one-day commitment service project with your family. There are locations around the state for the general public to assist in this count. And despite its name, it’s not actually held on Christmas day. Participants agree to cover a certain area on a particular day in December and count the birds they find during their time in the area. For more information go to Maine Audubon’s website - www.maineaudubon.org/explore/event/count.shtml

Great Backyard Bird Count in February. This is a super simple weekend project for families and even little ones can help with daily observations. And although we love being outside during the winter, I have friends that like this bird count because it’s a good way to teach their kids about the outdoors without actually having to be out in the cold. This year’s count is February 18-21, 2011. The basic idea of this count is to simply set up a chair by a window in your house and watch your backyard (or front yard in our case) to see what birds stop by. Then you record the time, type and number of birds you see and submit your report at the end of each day to the GBBC’s website - www.birdsource.org/gbbc

Night Sky Watching. Families can take advantage of shorter days and much longer nights by learning about the night sky. Winter nights offer some awesomely clear nights to view the stars and planets. Southworth Planetarium at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus offers classes and group shows to help novice sky watchers learn how to identify the stars. Visit their website for a schedule of programs - http://usm.maine.edu/planet

Full Moon Hike. A winter full moon is bright and a great time to break out the snowshoes - or simply your winter boots if the snow isn’t too deep - and discover a local trail in a whole new light. Headlamps are not usually needed on a clear full moon evening and viewing the trail at night is a totally different kind of experience.

Winter Fireworks. This is a man-made outdoor experience but if you have a chance to see a winter fireworks show on a frozen lake this winter, do it. The fireworks reflect on the snow and ice around the frozen lake for a spectacular colorful experience that is very different from the summer shows. Many of the ski mountains sponsor fireworks during the winter as well as many winter community events.

Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine, December 2010

Preview: Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport

Take a step back in time to celebrate the holiday season in Kennebunkport and surrounding towns during Christmas Prelude.

Tree lightings, caroling by candlelight, a hat parade, trolley rides and hundreds of locally crafted items for sale are just a few of the many events happening in Kennebunkport over the next two weekends.

Organized by the Kennebunkport Business Association and community volunteers, Christmas Prelude attracts people from all over the country to celebrate part of their holiday season in southern Maine.

"The (town) venues are steeped in history and are reminiscent of a different time and history," said Jim Fitzgerald, interim executive director of the Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce. "People come here year after year because it doesn't change."

The event has a 29-year tradition and begins with the tree lighting and Christmas caroling led by the Kennebunk High School chamber choir at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Dock Square in Kennebunkport.

The Cape Porpoise lobster-trap tree lighting is at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by a bonfire and more caroling.

The holiday-themed hat parade is scheduled for Saturday.

"The hat parade is a lot of fun. The first year we had it there were 30 to 40 people, which was a lot for our first year. Last year, we had 150 people in the parade. It doesn't matter if you wear reindeer antlers or go all out. Anyone can be in the parade," explained Sheila Matthews-Bull, chairman of Christmas Prelude.

Hat wearers gather behind Dock Square by 2:45 p.m. to march over the bridge from the square.

Kennebunk's Lower Village holds its tree lighting and caroling at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and the evening includes a candlelight stroll to the Franciscan Monastery for more caroling and roasting chestnuts over an open fire.

"The whole crowd strolls to the monastery singing. It's really beautiful because by that time it's dark and everyone is carrying a candle," said Matthews-Bull.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Santa arrives by lobster boat at the Landing Restaurant.

Another notable guest -- former first lady Laura Bush -- will be in town during Christmas Prelude. Bush will be signing her new book, "Spoken from the Heart," at H.B. Provisions in the Lower Village at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. At 2 p.m., her daughters will join her for another book signing and Q&A session at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport.

Kennebooks in the Lower Village will also host book signings by Maine authors both weekends.

The second weekend of Prelude includes the Fire & Ice Bar, a new event, at the Nonantum. Hors d'oeuvres from area restaurants, live entertainment, indoor and outdoor fireside seating and an ice bar and sculpture will be featured from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 11. A portion of the proceeds from the ice bar will be donated to the WinterKids program.

Musical entertainment will be featured day and night during both weekends with a new addition, Christmas Karaoke at Alisson's Restaurant and the Starfish Grille & Tavern.

Special eating events sponsored by community groups are favorite traditions for many visitors. There is the Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the Washington Hose Fire Company from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday.

The Nonantum Resort features Breakfast with Mrs. Claus from 8 to 11 a.m. on both Dec. 5 and 12.

The First Congregational Church hosts a lobster roll and chowder luncheon from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. And the Firehouse Lobster Bake at Washington Hose Fire Station is from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

The hand-crafted gifts sold at the dozen or so craft fairs around town help support many local charitable organizations.

"The uniqueness of Christmas Prelude features the hand-crafted and emphasizes the traditional and non-commercial side of the Christmas holidays," said Fitzgerald.

Matthews-Bull explained how special this event is to many families.

"This is our 29th year and it gets bigger and better every year. We get a lot of new people each year, but now we have the grandchildren of people who started coming to Christmas Prelude 20 years ago. It's so heartwarming that so many make it a family tradition."

CHRISTMAS PRELUDE
WHEN: Thursday through Dec. 12
WHERE: Kennebunkport and surrounding towns
HOW MUCH: Free
FOOD OPTIONS: A couple of pancake breakfasts, lobster roll and chowder luncheon and a lobster bake sponsored by community groups as well as a variety of restaurants.
PARKING: Follow signs to the fire station's free parking lot. There is also free public parking behind Alisson's Restaurant in Kennebunkport.
DON'T MISS: The hat parade at 3 p.m. Saturday
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Great
BENEFITS: Community groups
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Rain or shine event
MORE INFO: www.christmasprelude.com


Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram, November 28, 2010

Chickens like cake too

A couple of years ago we had a bit of ice cream cake from a birthday party and the kids wanted to see if the chickens would eat ice cream. Yup, they do.



A perennial activity for the girls every holiday season is making and decorating a gingerbread house. And every year after Christmas the house is given to the chickens who happily eat it up.



So when cake is offered to us and the humans in the house have had their fill of it, we turn it over to our feathered friends in the backyard.

Cake does not need to go to waist waste at our house with the chickens around.

Preview: L.L. Bean’s Northern Lights

Adding to the reason for the season by collecting winter coats for seniors is just one aspect of L.L. Bean’s Northern Lights celebration, which kicks off Saturday.

The annual 6:30 p.m. tree-lighting event at Discovery Park includes a request that attendees help Maine’s elderly by bringing a gently used coat to donate.

“People come to the tree lighting with coats, and it’s become a really popular aspect of the event. We’ve collected close to 3,000 coats over the past couple of years,” said Kathy Whitney, senior public relations representative at L.L. Bean.

The community coat-collecting partnership started in 2008 and includes the Maine Triad chapters and support from the Maine Area Agencies on Aging. Drop boxes for donations will be in the flagship store’s Discovery Lobby (at the giant boot’s entrance) on Saturday and Nov. 21.

“We want to get coats to seniors early so that they have them when they need them,” said Whitney.

L.L. Bean matches every coat donated with a $5 contribution to the Keep ME Warm Campaign.

Local artist Pandora LaCasse creates a different theme for the Christmas tree lighting each year. She did the original installation of the light displays in the park in 2005 and continues to add to the design every holiday season. LaCasse plans to incorporate L.L. Bean Slope Slider Sleds on this year’s tree.

During the tree-lighting ceremony, the Boy Singers of Maine and the Musica de Filia Girls Choir will provide the music. Characters from the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” will also make a special appearance as emcees.

But it’s not all about tree lightings at Discovery Park on Saturday. A campfire will warm you up while you enjoy some company during the afternoon.

“There’s a winter campfire all day, and L.L. Bean Outdoor Discover School experts will be on hand to answer questions about trips, listen to stories and anything else people want to know about the outdoors,” said Whitney. A variety of demonstrations, including camp cooking, as well as ski, snowshoe and sled selection tips, will be part of the campfire experience.

Horse-drawn carriage rides will give visitors a breather from shopping to explore Freeport village.

Riders will be picked up for these free rides on Main Street in front of the flagship store.

“The carriage ride is a great way for families to look at the lights around the village,” says Whitney.

There will be an imaginative playhouse experience for kids in the Enchanted Forest area every day with the award-winning wooden playhouses set up in Discovery Park.

The Northern Lights celebration continues through November and December. Storytelling and a variety of crafting opportunities for kids will be featured on weekends through December, as well as the Kids Night New Year’s Eve celebration featuring fireworks.

Whitney is looking forward to celebrating the event’s fifth year. “Northern Lights makes holiday shopping a memorable and enjoyable experience for the whole family,” she said.

L.L. BEAN NORTHERN LIGHTS
WHEN: Saturday to Jan. 1
WHERE: L.L. Bean's Discovery Park, L.L. Bean flagship store, Freeport
HOW MUCH: Free
FOOD OPTIONS: In Freeport village
PARKING: Freeport's downtown parking lots and garage
DON'T MISS: Tree-lighting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Great
BENEFITS: Donation of gently used coats benefits Maine Area Agencies on Aging and Keep ME Warm Campaign
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Rain or shine event
MORE INFO: www.llbean.com

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram November 14, 2010

Corn Mazes: Maine vs. Florida

During our visit to central Florida we discovered a corn maze. It became a *must do* for us simply to find out if it would be like the ones in Maine.

The short answer is mostly yes, but there were a few key differences.

Before we could enter the maze we were herded with a bunch of other people in to a large barn area to watch a "safety" video. The kids and I wondered what the heck would be the reason for this except to ensure people understood that the corn stalks should not be damaged and the corn not to be picked.

And then I wondered about snakes. I am aware that the snake population is encouraged in many orange groves to keep them clear of critters and insects that damage the crop. We have visited and done the pick-your-own citrus fruit in an organic-practicing farm (they're still working on their official organic designation) in the area and know to keep a close eye out for movement on the ground.

But I was wrong. That was not what the safety video was about. It was about signal flags in the maze.

Every group is given a long pole flag to wave in the air in the case they are feeling ill or simply need assistance. There is a flag look-out on the top of the bridge inside the maze to offer assistance if needed. The video assured visitors would be on the way in a matter of minutes and to make sure they stayed in one place once they waved the flag.

All this seemed a bit strange to us because the maze isn't any bigger than the ones we've been to in Maine.

But there are two key differences with Florida and Maine.

The Heat.

The Sun.

We realized at that point our visit on an 85+ degree day with nary a cloud in the sky was unlikely ideal conditions for this particular activity.

Comparing our distance and time-spent in the Florida maze, it was *exactly* the same (1.3 miles) as our Maine corn maze visit last month.

But unlike our Maine maze adventure, we were absolutely exhausted by the time we returned back to the car!

Long & Scott Farms Corn Maze at EveryTrail


The girls and I felt the dust was hard to take (it had been a dry month for Florida and the sand/dust was really heavy - the you-can-taste-it-after-a-minute kind) and the 85+ degrees in direct sun was just too much for our Maine blood.

But we got lost as promised and had a great time (and had no need to wave the flag that L. carried for us).

A few non-weather related differences from our usual maze experience included the game kiosks. These were Florida's agricultural-specific and it was great to learn more about the local economy and agriculture of the state.

There were handouts for all the kids that included boxes for the pencil rubbing stations...

...questions to answer on our handout with the trivia station kiosks as well as a word scramble to complete based on those answers...

...and red de-coders at various stations to help re-orientate us in the maze.

The red de-coder was tough to see with the bright Florida sun though.

The bridge had employee lookouts but we didn't see any flags waving the day we visited. There were employees pimping cold water for $1 on the bridge. You can actually hear the sales pitch in the video below.

A few open spots in the maze were especially dusty... but also very cool to see open spaces in the middle of the corn stalks.

At the end of the maze there was a farm-made wind tunnel to catch a breeze (there was none the day we visited) to cool off a bit.

To enter the maze area you could walk through the tunnel or go down the pipe slide. The girls opted to walk the tunnel BUT Fino and I went down the slide. It was really fun and Fino and I laughed all the way down. We told the girls they really missed out walking instead of sliding. They're "too old" now so have no need for these little kids thrills. I told them when they were really old they'd think it was fun again.

Hiking Mt. Will in Bethel

Mount Will in Bethel is a beautiful -- and educational -- trail system to explore with older kids, especially during the fall when the temperatures are cool and seasonal colors cover the landscape.

The trailhead for Mount Will is directly across the street from the Bethel Recycling and Transfer Station. There is a small sign indicating the trail name in the parking area with a blue-green blaze on the post.

There is a box for trail maps but the day we visited there were no copies available. It's best to go to the Bethel Conservation Commission website -- www.thebetheljournals.info/Trails/Bethel_trails.htm -- to print one out before you head out. Or pick up the "Maine Mountain Guide" from the Appalachian Mountain Club for a trail description and map.

The Mount Will Trail is a looping trail with blue-green blazes. There are other trails on the mountain so unless you're familiar with the area, pay close attention to the blue-green blazes to be sure you stay on the Mount Will Trail. According to my GPS track from our hike, the trail is approximately three miles with about a 1,200-foot elevation gain.

We decided to start our loop up the mountain via the North Ledges section of the trail. There were quite a few informational panels at various places on our way up the mountain to educate visitors about the trees, plants and geological history of the area.

This included the historical uses of various trees identified as well as explaining other features about the mountain -- such as the streambed, glen, small pole stand, slope and stone ledges.

There was even a panel to identify bear claw marks on a tree. The kids were particularly excited about this since now they know what to look for on future trail adventures.

The panels were not only informative but they also offered a nice break during our climb up the mountain. The North Ledges portion of the trail was a steep elevation gain and I used the moment it took to read the panel to also catch my breath.

We enjoyed a snack from a viewing spot on the North Ledges and decided, after we'd hiked the entire loop, that it was our favorite spot on the mountain. It featured views of the Androscoggin River and Bear River valleys.

After the North Ledges we climbed a little higher while heading over to the South Cliffs portion of the trail.

There was a lot of tree cover and we found the best views on this trail system were not at the actual summit but rather at the ledges on both the north and south sides of the mountains.

The South Cliffs offer nice open views to the south and east that include the village of Bethel.

We visited this trail system on a beautiful fall day and can confirm it's a great place to take in the colors of the season.

MOUNT WILL HIKING TRAIL
WHERE: Bethel
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Moderate-difficult for teens with an average fitness level, difficult for children under 8 years old.
DOG-FRIENDLY: Yes
TRAIL MAP: www.thebetheljournals.info/Trails/Bethel_trails.htm


Hiking Mt. Will in Bethel at EveryTrail


Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram November 14, 2010

Back from retro-themed vacation

We went to visit Grandma in central Florida last weekend. On our itinerary included a couple of stops that had a retro feel to them. My mother and I actually believe these stops were ones my grandmother and her siblings (and their spouses) made during their winter trips to the state in the 1950s and 60s.

Our first retro stop was to Weeki Wachee State Park. We stumbled upon information about this place during our last visit and the girls said during this trip it was a must do. It is home to the live mermaid shows.

Yes, really. Live mermaids.

Weeki Wachee Springs became part of the state parks system a couple of years ago. According to the park rangers I spoke with during our visit, the park has a "first magnitude spring" (this is actually where the mermaids perform). So for obvious reasons, the state wanted to preserve and protect the spring to ensure it stayed a beautiful natural resource. The state park service purchased the property in 2008.

You can read more about the park's history (which is really quite interesting) at the Florida State Parks website

In it's heyday, the mermaid show in the underwater theater (the 400-seat theater is actually underground) was a sold out venue most of the time. Elvis Presley was one of many celebrities that visited the park in the early 60s and posed for pictures with the mermaids. ABC networks owned the park for a while and build some elaborate sets for the mermaid shows. But for the past decade or so this park has fallen in to the shadows of the larger theme parks.

During the "Little Mermaid" show the main characters act out a ball dancing scene on land, as it is in the story. It was an impressively fast costume change.

The mermaids have to train to hold their breath to be able to perform in the show. This includes the duration they can hold their breath (in the 2-minute range) as well as demonstrate how they control their air. There was a demonstration done during the show that explained how the amount of oxygen in your lungs affects your ascent and decent in the water. More oxygen in your lungs sends you to the surface, expelling brings you lower and "just the right amount" helps you stay in one place. So for those that in tune with their airflow, there is a lot you can do to move efficiently in the water. In the video below (towards the end) I caught a bit of the demonstration by a couple of the mermaids.

There really is some science and serious athleticism required to be a mermaid.



I love the opening of the "Fish Tales" show - very entertaining (and cheesy) 50s feel to it that made us all smile. The rest of the show was much more contemporary... and super impressive.

We also had a chance to get up close and personal to a 2-year-old alligator which we all thought was pretty darn cool...

... and we visited with a peacock roaming the park (no zoom needed for this shot by G. - he was a friendly fellow)

... and took a relaxing boat cruise on the Weeki Wachee River.

The turtles were doing their morning stretches along the river.

The girls, grandma and I agreed it was a fascinating and very entertaining stop during our trip and one we hope to visit again when the water park is open as well. (Although it is "winter" in Florida right now, the 85-95 degree temperatures during our visit was a shock to our system - we Mainers really could have used a water park cool down!)

Another retro stop we made was the Citrus Tower. I knew from RoadsideAmerica.com that this place was going to have a zero wow-factor but we decided to stop anyhow.

My mother and I remembered my grandparents' slides of their visits to the tower (my cousins and I were subjected to hours and hours of slide shows in my grandparent's basement growing up complements of my grandfather's technology and my great-uncle's shutter bug ways).

The view from the top of the tower is of strip malls now rather than the acres and acres of citrus groves that once were there. Unfortunately the people managing the elevator to the top of the tower should have clued us in to the one "natural" aspect still around and seen from the top.

Hornets.

They were flying outside the windows as well as INSIDE.

I managed to get a couple of pictures and a bit of video before we all decided it was time to get the heck out of the tower.

This picture sums up L.'s thoughts about the tower. G. is trying to laugh it off but she wasn't keen on the buzzing insects either.

This was such a 50s thing but no less fun and interesting to us. Yup, you really could hear that coin drop!

Our guess was that there were several 'attractions' promoted by the state's tourism bureau to visit back in the days before the theme parks. We were amused to see a reference to Weeki Wachee here.

A picture of the view my grandparents likely saw back in the 50s and 60s.



We packed a lot in to our few days in the sunshine state - including several Halloween-themed activities, some boat rides, a corn maze adventure and an exciting seaplane ride. More on that stuff later...

Gift giving with whine factor in mind

As the holiday season approaches, I have a few gift suggestions for families looking to get their kids interested in outdoor hiking adventures. Over the years. I have always tried to take out a bit of insurance so each hiker is comfortable and engaged while on the trail. I’m not talking about making a trail choice, although choosing one that matches your family’s fitness level is important (and your own enthusiasm is key as well). No, what this list is really about is reducing the whine factor. (And adding some educational value in the mix as well.)

1. A good hiking backpack. When my girls were preschoolers they carried a backpack with only a fleece jacket inside to get a feel for carrying something while on a hike. After a few adventures I added a small water bottle to their packs. Within a half dozen hikes they were carrying their own small lunch box as well. Teaching kids early to be responsible for their gear in a manageable way - taking age and fitness level into consideration - makes hiking adventures much easier for everyone, especially as the kids get older.

However it is important to take the size of a backpack in to consideration before buying one. I chose small packs just large enough for a lunch box and fleece when the girls were young. This usually ensured the collection of toys didn’t start out in one backpack and wind up in mom’s before the hike was done. I also chose packs with padded shoulder straps to ensure comfort. The string packs popular with kids now are not a good idea for hiking. The strings can dig into shoulders in a way that promotes whining when you’re on a climb to the top of a mountain or even after a mile or two on a more level trail. 

Whine Factor Reduction: Very Good

2. A field guide. Most kids are curious about the world around them and a way to keep them interested on a hiking trail is to invest in a pocket-sized field guide related to their interests. Both the National Audubon Society and Peterson have a variety of guides for birds, insects, trees, wildflowers and rocks and minerals.

If your kids are interested in birds, my girls would suggest picking up the “Birds of Maine Field Guide” by Stan Tekiela. This particular guide has large color pictures, color-coded tabs for quick reference  and simple explanations (i.e., not too many words for younger readers). I prefer my “Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America” because it has more detailed information but it’s a bit wordy. For kids who want to use a guide independently, choose one you think they can understand (mostly) on their own.

My family also likes the “Forest Tress of Maine” from the Maine Forest Service. It is a simple and easy to use guide since it is specific to Maine so you can identify a tree leaf without to having to sift through all the world’s tree possibilities. And for those who are new to outdoor adventuring, or who haven’t done it in a while, the “You Alone in the Maine Woods” from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) booklet is a great resource to remind hikers how to stay safe in the woods.

Another favorite is the “Pocket Guide to Maine Animal Tracks” from the IFW. We picked up this small laminated card at the Maine Wildlife Park many moons ago and often refer to it when we’re out on the trails in the winter since it’s easier (for us) to spot animal tracks in the snow.

The rule of thumb I’ve used in choosing a guide book for my family is a region-specific one. It helps narrow down the possibilities, which is especially helpful if you’re a newbie on the topic. It takes less time to sift through while you’re on the trail with the kids. Any parent knows that when information is wanted by a little person, they don’t tend to be overly patient while you’re looking for the answer. 

Whine Factor Reduction: Very Good
Educational Value: Great

3. A compass. Even if your kids don’t know how to use a compass and you’re feeling a bit rusty, get one anyway. They are inexpensive and I bet your kids will surprise you with their understanding of it. When they change direction, so does the compass needle. And if you suggest the kids make note of your direction at the start of the hike, prompt them later on the trail to move their body in a circle until the compass needle is pointing back in the direction of the trail head. It’s also an easy to carry item and sometimes a little gadget distraction is a good thing on a longer-than-planned hike. Yes, sometimes moms and dads take a wrong turn on the trail.

Whine Factor Reduction: Good
Educational Value: Great

4. Binoculars. This is not a must-have in my kids’ packs simply because it can be a heavy item. But a small, lightweight pair of binoculars can be a fun thing to pull out of mom or dad’s backpack during a hike.

Whine Factor Reduction: Good
Educational Value: Good

5. A camera. My oldest daughter’s interest in photography started with our hiking adventures. We bought her a small, inexpensive camera for her exclusive use on our hikes and it was interesting to realize that she captured photos from different aspects of the trail I often missed. It’s a great way to keep kids engaged while hiking. And it’s a great excuse to use when someone needs a break. A suggestion for the more physically fit child to take a photo can help another child struggling to keep up take a much-needed breather. I can assure you it also cuts down on the whining factor (with the child unwilling to stop and the child that is having trouble keeping up) and I used the picture break suggestion quite a bit when the kids were younger.

Whine Factor Reduction: Very Good
Educational Value: Good

6. Hiking Shoes. Maine kids have a lot of shoes. There are winter boots, rain/mud boots, ski boots, sandals, water shoes, sneakers, dress shoes, athletic shoes for specific sports... the list can go on and on for some households. It’s simple craziness in most home closets. But adding a pair of sturdy hiking boots to the mix is worth it. They ensure a good tread for climbing on rocky terrain and solid arch support for managing uneven ground.

Whine Factor Reduction: Very Good

7. Mobile Apps. This is something my family just started exploring and the girls suggested that I include this in my round up. We already have a few outdoor-oriented favorites. Yes I know, being in the outdoors should not include cell phones but for those parents who have not done much hiking with their tween/teen (or even if you have), this might be just the ticket to get them (more) excited about an outdoor adventure with the family.

Geocache Navigator. My kids’ favorite app to date is Trimble’s Geocache Navigator. For those unfamiliar, Geocaching is a game that uses GPS coordinates to find a hidden box filled with inexpensive trinkets and a log book. Players, called geocachers, download the coordinates on to their GPS units - in this case to their mobile phone - and then navigate their way to the hidden box. The downside to using this app is that the cell tower connection isn’t so great in dense tree cover so it’s best used on more urban/suburban hiking trails.
Available on iPhone, Blackberry, Droid, Sony, Samsung, Pantech and several others with a data plan. Cost: $9.99 (most phones)

Star Walk from Vito Technology. This app is another family favorite that allows you to identify stars, planets and constellations in the night sky. (Yes, hiking is mostly a daytime activity but full moon walks, especially in the winter, are a lot of fun, too.) This is a real-time application that utilizes a digital compass that is activated when the phone is tilted skyward. The compass tracks movement so that when you change direction, it reorientates the stars so you see on the phone’s screen exactly what you are looking at in the sky. This app has a serious awe factor for both kids and adults. And the bonus is that everyone will learn something while using it.
Currently available only on iPhone. Cost: $2.99

iMapMyHike. This one plots your hike on a map. It also tracks total distance, speed and elevation gain, which is similar to what a hand-held GPS unit does but with an easier interface. The app relies on an active cell tower connection so, again, not so great for heavy tree-covered trails. It’s great for kids who want to know exactly what sort of terrain they’ve covered or show off to their friends about the “huge” mountain they just hiked because they have their path on a terrain map with the elevation marks to prove it.
Currently available for iPhone, Blackberry and Droid. Cost: Free

Twitter & Facebook. No app roundup for the tween/teen set would be complete without at least a mention of these guys. You can take advantage of your child’s interest in these sites by suggesting they make status updates and take pictures during your hike and upload them to their accounts along the way. These sorts of updates can be fun to read after the fact to help everyone remember the silly, weird and awe inspiring moments. A teen’s notion of what is noteworthy can also offer some insight in planning your next trip together as well.
Available on most cell phones. Cost: Free

Whine Factor Reduction: Very Good
Educational Value: Good - Great


Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine's November 2010 edition