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| From a First Day Hike in 2014 |
The New Year is often about starting things fresh, making
commitments, and working on goals. Our family has started out New Year
intentionally the last 3 years by taking a First Day Hike on January 1st at a
local natural area. It shows our commitment to getting outside this year in
different temperatures and sets the mood for a year of getting outside.
In Indiana, many of the area state parks host first day
hikes. We can get to about 4 different state parks in just under or over an
hour. We’ve been to several places in the past. On a particularly stormy First
Day, we chose to go to a nature preserve near our house. While we missed the
comradery, group experience, and guided hike with additional learning
opportunities, we still were able to have good family time and renewed our
commitment to getting outside that year.
Here are past First Year Hikes we have taken:
2013—Pokagon
State Park
2016—Lots
of options!
10:00am Indiana Dunes—Three
Dunes Challenge! 1 ½ mile hike ending with a fire and snacks. Meet at the
Nature Center.
1:00pm Pokagon—Hike
to Lake Lonidaw and back. Less than a mile. Enjoy marshmallows and a campfire
near the toboggan run after the hike from 2-3pm. Meet at the Pokagon Inn
Lonidaw Lounge.
2:00pm Chain O’Lakes—Take
an old fashioned walk to school by walking 4 miles. Expect a 2 hour hike. Meet
at the Stanley One Room House. Coffee and hot cocoa are available.
7:00pm Potato Creek—Start
your 2016 Bird List by taking an owl walk! The 1 mile hike will take about an
hour. Meet at the Nature Center auditorium.
We found the State Park options a great way to visit a nature
center, meet others, and enjoy natural areas we visit once in a while. There
have also always been snacks, which motivates my kids! There is a $7 entry fee
per car for Indiana residents. If
a State Park is not up your alley this year, we have great local options in
Elkhart County and nearby areas. Check out my winter or summer guide for places
we enjoy visiting in the area.
While we have had unseasonably warm weather so far this
winter, expect a dip in temperatures for the New Year. We use layers, warm
boots, gloves, hats, etc. Sometimes, we even bring hand warmers.
As we enter 2016, I encourage readers to think about getting
outside in the New Year. Perhaps, a First Day Hike fits in your plans. Perhaps,
you have another outdoor option in mind. Let us know in the comments how you
plan to commit to getting outside in 2016!