Hello all!

Wow - that cold wind is blowing hard! If you're looking for a great
place to get outside even when it's windy, remember that Stroller
Hikes has icons to show how hikes are rated in terms of shade. That
shade can do wonders to shelter you from the wind.

If you're looking for things to do indoors that will lead nicely to
an outdoor activity when the weather improves, I highly recommend
planting some seeds! That's what Max and I did today. Buy little
peat disks and seeds at your local garden store. Soak the peat disks
in water, and they pop up like little sponges. Push a few seeds in
the middle of each disk, then put the seeded disks in a plastic or
glass dish with some loose celophane or a loose clear lid somewhere
that gets good light and ventilation (this is a little greenhouse).
You should see sprouting within a couple of weeks for most seeds. If
you see mold, put the dish in a sunnier location or remove the lid.
If you don't want to buy anything new for this project, you can use
most dried beans, peas, or popcorn that you buy from the store for
eating, a scoop of dirt from outside, and an old egg carton to
separate the seeds to make transplanting easier later. Kidney beans,
popcorn, and dried peas will begin sprouting very quickly. I don't
know how these varieties will fare once outside though; most seeds
you can buy at the garden store, on the other hand, are suitable for
this climate. You can also try germinating the seeds before
planting, and if you try this, sprout them between paper towels
soaked with a little tea water (the tannins in the tea help break
down the outer coating of the seeds).

Below are this week's events. Please remember to indicate interest in events by
using the poll for this week.

Monday, January 26th at 10 am we'll hike from Sunnyvale's Baylands
Park. Amy and little Adelina will lead this hike, which is entirely
paved, so any stroller will work! Meet next to the recycled water
test garden (take a left after entering the park). For more
information or directions, see the Baylands Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/BaylandsPark/BaylandsPark.html).
Parking is currently FREE at the park. If you're running late, call
Amy at 650-207-6556.

Tuesday, January 27th at 9 am Loren and little Angelo will lead a
mellow stroller jog around Almaden Lake and down Los Alamitos Trail.
Meet at the water dragon by the big playground near the bathrooms and
swimming beach in the main parking lot near the intersection of
Coleman Avenue and Almaden Expressway. No dogs allowed! Jogging
strollers are best, but this is an entirely paved trail, so smaller-
wheeled strollers are also OK. Walkers always welcome! For more
information about the area or directions, see The Los Alamitos Creek
Trail Webpage
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/LosAlamitos/LosAlamitos.html). If
you're running late, call Loren at 831-227-6737.

Tuesday, January 27th at 1:30 pm join Amy and her wee ones for a
visit to Ardenwood Farm in Fremont, just over the Dumbarton Bridge.
The farm has historic displays, live animals, and a horse-drawn
railroad! Bring some money for admission (two dollars for adults, 1
dollar for children over the age of four). This will not be a
strenuous hike, but will be suitable for toddlers or older children.
We'll visit all the park has to offer, following the roads and trails
in the park to the three fields, orchard, gardens, barn and farmyard,
and of course the train! We'll try to watch a blacksmith work, feed
the animals, and get an ear of corn to pop in the microwave. For more
information and directions, see the Ardenwood Webpage
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/LosAlamitos/LosAlamitos.html). If
you're running late, call Amy at 408-368-7161.

Wednesday, January 28th at 9:30 am we'll hike at Rancho San Antonio
in Cupertino/Los Altos Hills. We'll do an almost entirely paved, flat
path going to the farm, and possibly go past it. The road is perfect
for trikes or bikes, if toddlers or young children want to ride. Any
baby transport will work. Meet at the upper parking lot where model
airplanes are flown (just past the entrance, turn right, then left
into the first parking area uphill from the lower two). For more
information or directions, see the Rancho San Antonio Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/RanchoSanAntonio/ranchoSanAntonio.html).
Sorry, dogs not allowed. This hike is at least half shaded.
Lisa and little Samuel will lead this hike. If you're running late,
call Lisa at 650-892-8678.

Thursday, January 29th at 10 am come for a hike along the paved
mineral springs trail of Alum Rock Park for a little geology lesson
and some history about this old spa region of San Jose. Meet by the
YSI building. All types of strollers will work. For directions or
more information about the area, see The Alum Rock Park Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/AlumRock/AlumRock.html). If
you're running late, call Jennifer at (408) 470-0463.

Friday, January 30th at 10:30 am join Becky and her wee one for a
brisk hike at the Stanford Dish in Stanford/Palo Alto. Meet just
inside the gate at the Stanford Avenue/Junipero Serra Intersection.
Jogging strollers, backpacks, or carriers are recommended, as we'll
be walking faster and there is a short gravel section to this
otherwise hilly, paved path. For more information about the trail or
directions, see The Stanford Dish Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/StanfordDish/StanfordDish.html).
We'll try for the Stanford Ave. Dish Loop with the short gravel leg.

Stay warm!
-Debbie and little Max