I couldn't think of a better way to spend this beautiful warm, sunny day than to be with a group of children and adult chaperones at Skyline Ridge OSP, off of hwy 35 in the Peninsula. It's so nice to see the young ones having a good time outdoors because you-know-what, nature is cool and fun. :-) The kids were troopers - we hiked a total distance of about 3.5 miles (~5.6 km) and saw animals like deers, centipedes, lime lizards, turkey vultures, and American coots, and touched and smelled plants like the California bay leaves and nuts, manzanitas, blackberry bushes, and lichens ("old man's beard"); some kids were even brave enough to taste raw acorns (a super fruit high in protein, fat, and carbohydrate) and Douglas Fir needles (very high in vitamin C - great for tea!). Their enthusiasm, laughter, and curiosity were definitely uplifting... coupled with gorgeous scenery, what more could I have asked for? :-)
Check out the American Coots in the short clip below:
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