A Bunch of Good Eggs!

Chasing the tide

Eighteen sets of muddy toes hit Bay View Beach on Monday for the Muddy Toes Easter Egg Hunt.  The sun also decided to participate and provided us with a beautiful 58 degree day.

Searching for imaginary dinosaurs

Enjoying precious moments

Although the water was brisk, the kids didn't seem to mind;  shoes were off, pants were soaked from the waves, and our children were transformed into architects of the sand.   

Summer and Daniel on the hunt

For me, it felt great to be outside enjoying time with friends.  I loved watching the kids playing excitedly, each of them marching to their own beat.  

All smiles

There were those examining sea shells and those racing the waves and getting soaked, while others were searching for imaginary prehistoric creatures along the edge of the dunes.  

Nature's balance beam

Some of the children were creating systems in the sand that allowed them to alter the flow of water back to the ocean while others were testing their balance on the washed up debris.  

A few children were basking in the sunshine, enjoying a quiet moment with their discovered egg treasures.  

Alexander enjoying a rest

Some were discovering new animals within the tidal pools and sharing their learning with friends. 

Our friend the sand worm

Explorations

And still, a few, were simply dashing about the beach laughing and smiling. Regardless of their chosen activity, children were engaged in happily exploring their environment.   

Dylan calls this beach "Sand Dollar Beach" due to the abundance of sand dollars that we often find at low tide.  The beach, located on Seaside Drive in Saco, has ample parking so make sure to check it out if you weren't able to join us!  

A huge thank you to everyone that participated for making this day so wonderful and sharing in the fun!

Blustery Day on Mount A

The view from the top

              I've got the hikin' fever! Spring is coming and nice weather screams out to me:  "Get out into the woods!"  With the impending rainy week ahead, my two boys and I decided to make the most out of the nice, yet blustery, day and headed down to York to hike around Mount Agamenticus.

All smiles

              Mount A has a little something for all levels of hiking.  Those who are in for a workout can park at the entrance and complete the Ring Trail to the Summit and down.  Our family enjoys driving up to the Summit and checking out the Learning Lodge before venturing down the mountain.  Today we went down Vulture's View.  It was mostly smooth rock faces which proved a little tricky with the water covering them from the snow melt.  I would suggest taking down the Witch Hazel Trail and then staying along the Ring Trail.  The Ring Trail  has several interactive signs for young ones detailing a moose named Moss' journey home and for those desiring more information about local flora and fauna.  Regardless of which trails you decide upon, make sure to take in some time at the Summit.  The view of the White Mountains is amazing and on a clear day Mount Washington is clearly visible.

Looking for a picnic spot

             The Mount Agamenticus area hosts a variety of animals including fox, moose, black bear, turtles,  and deer.  In the upcoming weeks Mount A's vernal pools will serve as breeding grounds for many types of frogs and salamanders.  In the Fall they showcase a variety of migrating raptors that can easily be viewed from the Summit.  Mount Agamenticus trails are made available for hikers, bikers, horses, and ATV's so make sure to check out the map for the trail that fits your needs.

Shelter-providing snag 

                  Mount Agamenticus is the perfect place to help your child search for animal signs!  Mount A is home to several areas of snags (dead trees) that provide shelter for many animals and are fun to stop and explore.  We found animal prints in the mud, animal holes in the trees, cracked shells stacked together after the insides were eaten, and tracings of moles who had traveled underground. Although the wind was whipping and the air smelled of rain, we happily spent another beautiful day in the Maine woods!  For more information on Mount Agamenticus check out http://www.agamenticus.org/recreation.html.  Happy Travels!

Tigers, Oh My!

           One thing I have enjoyed about being a parent is the beautiful perspective I've gained when looking at the world through my son's eyes.  The way dandelions become wonderful sprites of freshness and sunshine; the way tucking under the covers reading picture books becomes priority number 1; the way a day's worth of worries can be washed away by one soft, gentle smile; and the way Dylan's recent obsession with tigers reminds me that I have the responsibility to protect the world he will grow up in.  

       About two months ago Dylan became obsessed with tigers.  We have tiger figures, tiger books, tiger paintings, tiger stripes painted on sheets so that we can pretend to be tigers, tiger mugs, tiger rescuer vests, tiger stuffed animals, and stones serving as tiger teeth.  When I say obsessed I truly mean fanatical; he will tell you about the 3 subspecies that have become extinct, about the 6 subspecies that are still living, and how humans are killing tigers and destroying their habitat.  His beautiful blue eyes implore you to help save the tigers so that they "can be still around".  When he's talking about the tigers disappearing his face takes on a small pout, his voice a serious, urgent tone, and his eyes a piercing sadness.  His tiger tutorial is always followed up with a hopeful reminder:  "Don't worry!  You too can help to save the tiger."  A piggy bank sits in our living room collecting our spare change that Dylan plans to send into the "tiger savers".

          This picture was taken at the Animal Kingdom in Florida on our recent family vacation.  It has stayed with me as an eerie reminder of the tiger's fragility and the possibility of tiger extinction during Dylan's lifetime.  Some experts predict that without effective conservation efforts wild tigers could be extinct by 2021- Dylan would be in high school.  Other experts estimate the tiger's extinction to be 20 - 30 years away; regardless, in my son's lifetime.  It saddens me to think of this happening; to think of tigers not being a part of Dylan's children's lives. 

      Understandably, we can not all quit our jobs and leave our families, heading off into the wild to be tiger rescuers. Individually, we can not educate the tiger poachers, fund the families who are killing tigers for meat, or dissipate the housing crisis that growing populations are experiencing requiring them to destroy the tiger's habitat.  I am a realist; I know this.

         

 

             We CAN educate our own children about the importance of animals in the world and of the value of protecting our natural resources and natural habitats.  We can teach our kids to care for others, to practice acts of kindness, and to stand up for those people and animals who can stand up for themselves.  We can help them fundraise for organizations that are acting on our behalf to save endangered animals and habitats around the globe.  We can empower them with helping out in our own communities where they can impact people, animals, and habitat locally.  We can immerse them within nature so that they feel connected to the world as a whole and teach them how their daily actions here, in Maine, effect the entire globe.  

      Still struggling with the concept of time, Dylan Thomas always asks me, "Mommy, is today yesterday's tomorrow?"   We have the power today to help our children impact their own tomorrows.  With great power, comes great responsibility.  It's really made me reflect upon my daily actions and how I am actually-as opposed to wishing for or talking about- making the world a better place.  I can do better; for the tigers, for Dylan, for other people's Dylan's.

For more information about tigers, check out http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/tigers/index.html. 

Science at Sandy Point Beach

Sandy Point Beach is the perfect place to expose children to introductory geologic processes and to get a close-up look at some super cool ocean creatures.  Located across the bridge at the entrance of Cousin's Island, Sandy Point Beach is one of Yarmouth's hidden gems.  

View of the bridge from the beach

My first visit-of many- was after I was tipped off by a friend who had heard me complaining that I had been in Maine for a whole year without getting to see starfish.  I'm not sure if she was trying to quiet my whining or help me out, but I will forever be thankful that she pointed me in the right direction!

                           White Egret in the Summer

One of many starfish

Sandy Point Beach has a small parking lot and rarely gets very crowded. Although some people use it as a "beach" area in the summer for swimming and soaking up the rays, I prefer to visit during low tide with a bucket, shovel, net, maginifying glass, and picnic.  The short path down to the beach leads you to the long strip of beach.  To the left are some great rocks to climb on that provide great samples of white quartz; to the right is a narrow beach providing many nooks and crannies to explore along the high tide line.  If you look closely at the sand along the high tide line (most clearly visible as you first enter the beach) you will find patchy areas of a purplish hue.  The purple color is from flakes of garnet that have been broken up and deposited on the beach.

Moon snail (I think) that was 5 inches across.

At low tide there is a large sand pit that stretches out across the water.  It is amazing to walk out to the tip of this sand and show your child the way the current moves around the sand, depositing it into this sand bar formation visible at low tide.   Dylan still remembers how water carries sand and makes beach and sand bars because he clearly saw it in action.  Walking along the edge of the water you can see where the current has gently placed layers of sand mounds under the shallow water.  

Sand bar at low tide

Look closer and you will see that the waving seaweed is home to more crabs than you can count.  Be careful though because sometimes we find some with pinchers! Allow yourself the time to look even closer and you find starfish swaying along the bottom, giant snails burrowing into the shelter of the sand, and a variety of shellfish.  Sandy Point Beach makes these discoveries effortless!

Have net and bucket, will explore

One of my favorite memories of this area was just a few weeks ago when Dylan and I decided that a drizzly, foggy day was the perfect time to visit one of our favorite spots.  Donning our rain jackets, rain boots, and gloves we walked down the snowy path to the water, our warm faces soon blanketed by the misty air.  The bridge was barely visible through the fog and the tide was coming in.  Dylan Thomas and I held hands and managed to walk only 10 yards down the beach before the wind picked up slightly.  Fearing that this was a "bad mom moment" and that Dylan was going to quickly transform  into a sick, frozen popsicle I turned to tell him it was time to leave.  

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia

Dylan had sat down on one of the rocks and was intently watching a group of ducks floating over the water within our pocket of vision carved out by the intense fog.  Suddenly, the ducks started making alarming noises and skitted quickly along the water and off into the trees.  "Mommy, look.  It's a bald eagle."  In disbelief, I followed Dylan's eyes to where he was looking. Time stopped for a moment as we watched a beautiful bald eagle gracefully glide, uncaring of our presence, across the water within 20 feet of where we were sitting.   The great outdoors has its way of providing us with experiences that are both unpredictable and unforgettable and Sandy Point Beach is no exception.  Check it out!

For more information on the geological processes evidenced at Sandy Point Beach, check out http://www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/surficial/sites/apr08.htm.

Windy at Willard

Sander, Milena, Charlie, and Dylan explore the rocks

    

    Willard Beach is a beautiful, crescent-shaped beach located in South Portland.  Although not as far-reaching and grand as some of its neighbors - Crescent Beach State Park or Old Orchard Beach- Willard Beach has become one of our favorites since a friend introduced us to the location last summer.  There is something there for everyone! 

          For our Monday Muddy Toes meet-up, we met at low tide.  Beaches at low tide allow children to fully engage with the coastal environment and provide ample opportunities to explore tidal pools, climb seaweed laden rocks, and follow the paths of water meandering back to their ocean home.  

Sander experimenting with the flow of water

        A few people were inquiring about a good place to locate information on tides.  If you are interested, check out Maine Harbors' tide charts at http://me.usharbors.com/maine-tide-charts. High tide at Willard is equally beautiful, however, be aware that there is very little "beach" for exploring with little ones. 

Charlie and his razor clam

Nola showing Alexander her collection of the day's treasure

        Maine can be unpredictable and sometimes not even a favorable weather forecast can guarantee some sunshine!  Although we were met with a whipping wind and a layer of clouds, the kids were enjoying their surroundings with no complaints; fearlessly stomping in the pools of water, effortlessly conquering the large rock outcrop at the beach's entrance, and wildly searching for unique rocks and shells.  

       They scoured the beach in search of a few common local species:  blue mussels, razor clams, whelks, periwinkles, limpets, and clams.  A few found live clams which generated some wide smiles and a few gleeful "Look what I found!"  

Nola - Treasure Hunter

        We were even able to find some periwinkles and red chitons effortlessly clinging onto rocks and upon lifting the kids were amazed to see that there were really animals in there! As parents, we shared a few pictures of what species to look for but made sure to step back and let the kids guide their own learning through discovery. 

        Eventually, the wind ceased and we walked along the beach toward Fort Preble.  During low tide you can access the fort by traversing the rocks up to the fort and during high tide there is a walkway directly leading to the fort that can be accessed by any of the beach's upward staircases.  Once at Fort Preble, you are only a short walk away from Spring Point Lighthouse.  Dylan always loves walking out to the lighthouse-even though I make him hold my hand along the quick, rocky path- and says it is like walking on water due to the path extending outward from the land. 

Alexander - King of the Mountain

             On Monday, we didn't make it all the way down to the fort.  About 100 feet in front of the fort sit two large, irresistible rocky outcrops that lured in our adventurers.  Our preschoolers were transformed into brave climbers; balancing on the uneven surfaces, hiding from "bad guys" within the crevices, and taking in the view of Fort Levett from the top of the "mountain".  

Claire balancing on the rocks

        Before heading home for the day the kids played for a few more minutes on Willard Beach's small playground using up every last bit of energy they had left.  The drive home was quiet; very, very quiet.

Alexander and Dylan:  Friends taking a rest

Claire

        

          A special thank you to everyone who braved the wind on Monday for our meet-up!  For me, it felt good to get out and made me hungry for Spring!  For those of you we missed, I hope your Monday was filled with smiles as well.   Onward to future adventures!

Discovery's Last Launch

On Thursday, February 24, Space Shuttle Discovery was launched off to space on her 38th flight with nothing less than a hero's sendoff.  In Titusville, chants of USA served as the backdrop for the final countdown, covering up the hollers, the cheerful sobs, and the awe-inspired murmurs as the fiery beauty lifted off for the last time.  Unforgettable moments where we were all world citizens watching the brave among us, wishing toward a common cause, and gently reminded that we are all a part of something larger than ourselves.

Discovery's Launch

For the last year my family has been following the end of the shuttle program and vigorously planning how to get our space geek son (and his space geek parents) to one of the last launches.  Everyone knows that launches are often delayed due to mechanical problems, weather, etc. so the chances of us booking our reservations in August for February and actually making a launch were slim.  After Endeavor's February launch was postponed until April we were devastated, until Discovery's November launch was set for the week in February we would be there.  We got lucky! 

Discovery's Path

Last summer we met a Floridian who was previously a rocket engineer for NASA and he shared with us that the best place to watch was on the water in Titusville.  So, as we left Orlando the day of the launch we knew where to go.  We left 5 hours early for the 4:50 pm launch - I am very type A and like to be places early - only to hit so much traffic that we were pulling into a parking spot at 4:45.  As we were grabbing our things, NASA radio announced a hold on the launch:  a central command computer was down.  "STS-133 might be scrubbed."  We decided that we would "will" the computer to work, jumped out of our car, and fought off the crowds of people to find a perfect viewing spot along the water.  We were in position at 4:48.

Titusville Crowds

People were everywhere.  Car radios were blasting NASA radio, hanging on every word.  4:50 the computer was fixed;  the launch was a go.  The crowd collectively cheered, someone in the distant yelled out USA, and everyone followed along passionately belting out the echo louder and louder.  4:52 Silence.  NASA began the final countdown.  Off in the distance, the launch pad began to spiral red, smoke filled the air, and slowly one of our nation's greatest rose into the air.  People were smiling, hugging, crying, trying to capture some moments on film, and yelling "Go baby go!"  Even writing this gives me chills and puts me back in that moment.  Derek had put Dylan on his shoulders and looking up at him, I saw a little boy in awe, curiously studying the shuttle, connecting with it in a way that only a child could, and taking it all in.  He got it.  He got how special this moment was and his eyes never veered away until minutes later when the shuttle was a distant dot in the sky.  Dylan didn't speak during the launch, but spontaneously began clapping several times.  Unforgettable moments...

Dylan kissing John Glenn

            It might seem as if the shuttle program and reconnecting kids with nature are completely unconnected.  Look a little closer and you will remember that the shuttle program began as a challenge to the American people to unite together and imagine the impossible.  It was a call to action; a call to rise above our individual daily lives and to embrace that we were a part of something bigger, something connected, something important.  In many ways, nature has provided us with the same challenge;  forcing us to look at the future changes to our way of life if we are not able to band together as a people, living with the Earth and minimizing our impact.  As parents, our call to action is to find ways to immerse our children with the outdoors, paving the pathway for future responsibility and conservation.  Then, as we watch our beautiful children form into tomorrow's leaders, we should watch as Dylan did Discovery:  curiously, proudly, and with spontaneous, wild clapping.

For more information on Discovery's last mission, check out http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html.

Winter Family Fitness Day at Pineland Farms

Making the trek uphill

          Sometimes a little fresh air is just what the doctor ordered!  After a week of recovering from our first colds since summer time (I'm whispering this, so that they don't come back), we were ready for some sunshine, some warmer temperatures, and some fun.  We might not have found any warmer temperatures, but we found the sunshine and fun at Pineland Farms on Monday, February 21. The Winter Family Fitness Day event was free and well worth the half-hour drive.  Although we spent most of our day at the sledding hill, there were many other outdoor activities at the Farm if only we could have torn Dylan away.  The well-sloped sledding hills provide a fast ride landing you at the bottom without the typical crashes into trees or other children.  There are so many areas to sled here that even on the busiest days the hills are never as crowded as at Eastern Promenade or Payson Park.

            If sledding is not your thing, there is a great skating pond and numerous trails through the expansive farm and surrounding woods. Pineland Farm charges $3.00 per person for those interested in self-guided exploration.  Make sure to check out a nature pack at the Welcome Center to use during your adventure.  Nature packs include a variety of outdoor tools including field guides, binoculars, and local species tracking and nesting information.  They also rent out snowshoe and cross country ski to use on the many trails.  Prices are as follows: 
SKI & SNOWSHOE PASSES
Day Passes

Laura and Claire

Adult Ski Pass
$13 Day
$9 Afternoon (after 1pm)

Senior/Youth Ski Pass
$9 Day
$6 Afternoon (after 1pm)
Children (under 6) FREE

Adult/Senior/Youth Snowshoe Pass
$6 Day
$4 Afternoon (after 1pm)

Dylan and Casey

            Make sure to stop in at the market, located right next to the Welcome Center, for lunch.  They have breads, cheeses, sandwiches, drinks and tables for you to eat with your family in a laid back atmosphere.  Every Monday there is a story time at 10:00 that provides a snack, story, and some group songs.  Each month the Farm showcases special events from milking the cows to carving pumpkins to learning about making maple syrup.  Pineland Farms is a wonderful, inexpensive place in which to immerse your family in the outdoors.  If you have been there before, please share your experience!  For more information, check out http://www.pinelandfarms.org/index.htm.

Introducing Muddy Toes

Children are only engaging in outdoor “free play” 30 minutes per week.   

This averages to 4 minutes a day (Annenberg Public Policy Center).  

Four minutes a day; the equivalent amount of time it takes to brush my son's teeth. When I first read this statistic I couldn't believe it and it really resonated with me.  Many of my most memorable and character building moments as a child occurred in nature.  Even as an adult, I have always actively searched out nature, finding an inner peace in being connected to something bigger.  Who would I have become without those experiences? Would I still see myself as part of a larger world, one which I have the responsibility to care for and protect? Where would I have learned to turn to when I need to slow down the busy world around me or to find the quiet calm in which to gather my thoughts or make a big decision?  I have made the conscious decision to increase the amount of time my family engages in outdoor free play and I hope you'll come along for the journey!

The idea for Muddy Toes began as part of a leadership project for one of my administration classes at the University of Southern Maine.  I am deeply passionate about the benefits nature provides children and believe that Muddy Toes will be a way to motivate all of us to get outside more. My hope is that this blog will allow our group to share ideas, activities, and resources as we strive to increase our time out enjoying nature.  For my friends in the Portland area, I will be scheduling weekly meet-ups where we can get the kids together at varying locations, learn about our environment, and enjoy the many resources of Maine. For those members outside of the Portland area, we would love to hear ways you are getting your toes muddy! If you get a chance, please share your thoughts below.  Any suggestions, comments, or concerns are always welcome!   Happy Travels!