As I mentioned before, the second spring peeks out from under the cover of winter's gloom, I'm ready to go! The weather hasn't really been cooperating (this morning looks and feels like February), but that hasn't stopped us from taking field trips in May.
The area we live in (San Francisco Bay) has an amazing diversity of natural habitats, perfect for our last science study. The ocean is an hour due west from our home. All around us are hills, covered by forests full of oaks, redwoods, sycamores, and firs. If we drive a little further, we would reach the desert. I arranged several field trips (on every Friday in May) to visit certain regional parks. Some trips were free, and others cost a little more, but every destination was under $10 per car. I'm having fun telling other moms about these little hidden treasures, right in our own backyard!
Our longest trip was to Memorial Park, 10 miles south of Half Moon Bay. This regional park is one of my favorites, full of lovely coastal redwoods and banana slugs. The cost is $5 per car. You can follow a trail to reach the summit of Mt.Ellen, walk along the banks of Pescadero Creek, or find old redwoods to crawl inside. This park has plenty of tables and benches for lunch, and campsites for great overnight trips. We ended the day at Pomponio Beach on Highway 1, which cost $8 (unfortunately, the price for state beaches continue to go up), but it was perfect for the ages of the children with us that day. The fresh water flows down from the hills, through the estuary, and over the beach, forming a warm pond and small stream for the children to swim and splash in. We saw no seals and few birds that day, but crabs were abundant! I can't wait to take my children tidepooling someday!
Another estuary (which, by the way, is a unique habitat where fresh water meets salt water) is right by the San Mateo Bridge. The Hayward Regional Shoreline Interpretative Center is opened on week-ends (though their website says otherwise) to teach about the animals that live in the marsh and the history of the salt mines on the shores of the bay. We were there on a Friday, so we couldn't go into the center, but the trails are always opened. It was a windy but lovely walk.
Another fun place in Hayward is the Sulphur Creek Nature Center, tucked away in a residential area on D Street. Sulphur Creek has a potpourri of activities to offer: a picnic area, a wild animal hospital, a close-up view of native birds and animals (those that have been injured and could not be returned to the wild), and a rent-a-pet program. After oohing and aahing over the golden eagle, red-tailed hawks, coyotes, and gray foxes, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch. And the best part- it's all free! (well, not the rent-a-pet program). I'm definitely taking other home-schoolers there!
Not pictured (because I forgot my camera) was our trip to Sycamore Grove, which is ten minutes from my house in Livermore. Sycamores are perfect climbing trees (remember Zaccheus?) and the walk is not strenuous for children. The cost there is $5 per car, and again, there are tables for lunch. Spring is the perfect time to go there, because it isn't too hot.
I'm planning more field trips for the summer! Last summer, we learned a little about California history with visits to Sutter's Fort, Sutter's Mill, and Mission San Jose. I'm hoping to go to Angel Island this year. We'll see what June brings!
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