Hello all!

It's been mighty chilly, but we still managed a nice trip to the zoo
today and the animals were impressively active. We saw some nice
displays from tigers, gorillas, monkeys, penguins, giraffes, and
prairie dogs, and interacted with some friendly goats, sheep, horses,
ducks, and chickens in the petting zoo area of the San Francisco
Zoo. A bit pricey, but you can save the $8 parking fee by parking
along Sloat Avenue, and pay a reduced price with proof of San
Francisco Residency. For more information about the zoo, see
Stroller Hikes' SF Zoo Page at
http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/SFZoo/SFZoo.html .

Here are this week's events:

Monday, February 9th at 10 am we'll meet at Los Gatos Creek Trail for
a hike toward / to Vasona Park. This is a two-lane paved path, so any
transport will work. Meet at 75 Church Street, across from the Old
Forbes Mill. For directions or information about the trail, see Los
Gatos Creek Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/LosGatosCreek/LosGatosCreek.html).
Sorry, no dogs allowed. If you'd like to do window shopping
afterwards, downtown Los Gatos is just over the footbridge from this
trailhead! Amy L. and little Adelina will lead this hike; call 650-
207-6556 if you're running late. This is a Santa Clara County Healthy
Trails outing (http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/).

Every Tuesday 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, February 10th at 1:30 pm Amy B. and her wee ones will lead a
hike at Ryder Park to walk the lovely, paved Bay Trail. Beautiful
views of the bay, sailboats, windsurfers, and airplanes using the
airport. Also enjoy the nice picnic, dog play, and playground
facilities. Hike will commence from the playground adjacent to the
entry parking area of Ryder Park. Dogs welcome! For directions, see
The Ryder/Seal Point/Harborview/Coyote Point Parks Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/RyderNSeal/RyderNSeal.html). If
you're running late, call Amy at 408-368-7161.

Every Wednesday 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 main lower parking lot at the
water fountain in front of the bathrooms(just past the entrance, turn
right, then follow the road until it ends). 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, February 12th at 10 am come for a short walk and some bird
watching at Palo Alto Baylands. Meet by Lucy Evans Interpretive
Center. There are wide flat trails here that are paved or dirt, so
most strollers should work fine. Walking children also welcome! For
directions or more information about the area, see The Palo Alto
Baylands Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/PABaylands/PABaylands.html). If
you're running late, call Jennifer at 408-470-0463.

Thursday, February 12th at 4:30 pm come for a Toddler Trek at Joseph
D. Grant Park in San Jose. Debbie and little Max will lead a toddler-
friendly walk around this historic park. Meet at the bathroom
facility at the south end of Stockman's parking lot. We'll visit the
lakes and check out the ranch house, and talk about how the Ohlone
Indians used to use this land. Strollers welcome, but this event will
encourage toddlers to walk, run, and explore. Debbie will guide those
interested in a Healthy Trails outing to the Healthy Trails route.
The park is at 18405 Mt. Hamilton Road, and can be accessed from Hwy
680's Alum Rock Avenue exit; travel east on Alum Rock for 2.2 miles,
then turn right on Mt. Hamilton Road. After about 7.5 miles on Mt.
Hamilton Road, turn right to enter the park. Bring a few dollars to
pay for parking, then park at the Stockman's Area. If you're running
late, call Debbie at 650-776-1082. This is a Santa Clara County
Healthy Trails outing (http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/).

Friday, February 13th at 10 am come join Loren and wee Angelo for a
hike at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Backpacks or baby carriers
are best, as this hike will be moderately hilly. Loren will lead you
on a one to two hour hike in the hills of this gorgeous historical
park. Meet at the Haceinda Park Entrance parking lot, just past the
Casa Grande Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum off of Almaden Road. To
get there, exit onto South Almaden Expressway from Highway 85. Travel
seven miles on Almaden Expressway, then turn right onto Almaden Road.
After 2.5 miles, turn right to the park entrance and Hacienda parking
lot. Loren will lead a hike down Deep Gulch trail, beginning from the
south edge of the parking lot. You'll go past Deep Gulch Tunnel and
other historic mining sites and cabins. For a shorter hike, Loren
will turn right to return on English Camp Trail, then turn right to
return to the parking lot on Mine Hill Trail (2.5 miles). For a
longer hike, Loren will continue down Deep Gulch Trail to English
Camp, then turn right on Mine Hill, to return back to the parking lot
(6.1 miles). Be sure to pack some water and snacks. We'll take breaks
as the babies (and parents) need them. This is a Santa Clara County
Healthy Trails outing (http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/).
If you're running late, call Loren at 831-227-6737.

Plan ahead:
Sunday, March 1st at 10 am come out to walk, run, or stroll
(strollers welcome) for Jenny's Light 5K Charity Run. The entire
family is welcome! Route starts and stops in Vasona Park in Los
Gatos, a fully paved path. For more information including fees and to
learn about the Jenny's Light Nonprofit organization for improving
awareness about postpartum depression and other perinatal mood
disorders, see Jenny's Light.org (http://www.jennyslight.org).

Trees are beginning to blossom, bulbs are emerging from the soil, and
animal babies are beginning to abound - come outside and explore!
-Debbie and little Max