Hello all!

These stormy times have been keeping us on our toes. As the economic and
meteorological storms ebb and flow, a lot of us are very much caught in the
moment wondering what will happen next, and how our futures will be impacted.
Watching the clouds and rain on Thursday, before the Toddler Trek, had me
wondering if we should head out for a hike at all, and during the drive to
Hidden Villa, I questioned if we'd be alone, visiting animals, petting moss,
splashing in puddles, and looking for ferns. Alas, when we arrived, the parking
lot was abuzz with little people whooping and hollering, ready to get wet and
muddy, come rain or shine. What a delight - that amidst the stormiest days, the
clouds would part for us so we could nurture our children, helping them grow
mentally and physically. Those seeds we planted a couple months ago
(http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/StrollerHikes/message/109) have grown into
tall and strong plants, so we'll be transplanting them outside this weekend.
Their growth amidst such turbulent and chilly times, as well as the fervor of
activity in our little people, are a reminder that amidst these storms, growth
is inevitable, so it's important that come rain or shine, employment or
joblessness, we provide nurturing experiences.

Here are this week's events:
Monday, March 9th at 10 am come hike at Shoreline Park in Mountain View/Palo
Alto. The trail is paved, so it's great for all strollers or kid carriers. Meet
at the lake next to where the sailboats are kept (to the right of the cafe /
bathrooms building) in Shoreline Park. There are plenty of play structures and a
beach for toddlers - we'll stop to play after the hike! Sorry, no dogs allowed.
For information about the park and directions, see Shoreline Park Page and Emily
Renzel/Byxbee Page (http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/Byxbee/Byxbee.html). Amy
L. and Adelina will lead this hike. If you're running late, call Amy at
650-207-6556.

Tuesday, March 10th 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, March 10th at 1:30 pm Amy B. and her wee ones will lead a hike at Bol
Park in Palo Alto. Meet at Bol Park near the corner of Matadero Avenue and
Laguna Avenue (on Laguna Avenue). This trail is entirely paved, so any baby
transport will work. The trail is a widely used multi-use path that was
converted from an old railroad line - a little history here! Come visit the
donkeys and chickens and see a piece of "old" Palo Alto. Meet at the playground
in the middle of the park. For more information, see The Bol Park Webpage
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/BolPark/BolPark.html). Call Amy at
408-368-7161 if you're running late.

Wednesday, March 11th 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, March 12th at 10 am come for a short hike and some bird watching at
Palo Alto Baylands Park. 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, March 12th at 4:30 pm come for a Toddler Trek at Ed Levin County Park
in Milpitas. We'll encourage toddlers to run, walk, and explore as we hike
around Spring Valley Pond along Nature Trail. We'll talk about fishing and the
role of fish in this ecosystem, where ducks and zooplankton are prevalent. To
get there, take Hwy 680 East and exit at Calaveras Road, then follow signs to
the park. Park at the far end of the parking lot to the right of the ranger
office/visitor center, then meet near the trailhead for Nature Trail. Bring a
few dollars to pay for parking. If you are 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, March 13th at 10 am Loren and little Angelo will lead a hike at Santa
Teresa County Park in San Jose. Come out to see the wildflowers blooming, look
for checkerspot butterflies, try to spy a deer, and find serpentine rock
formations. Much of this route follows the Juan Bautista De Anza Trail. To get
to the trailhead, take the Almaden Expressway exit from Highway 85, then travel
south on Almaden Expressway. Turn right onto Harry Road, then left on McKean
Road. Turn onto Fortini Road, then park at the dirt parking lot at the park
entrance (where San Vicente Avenue also enters the park). The trail is a 2.5
mile loop; we'll follow Fortini Trail along the Santa Teresa Creek for almost a
mile, then turn left on Mine Trail, then left on Stile Ranch Trail for some nice
views and a return back to the parking lot. There is no parking fee at this park
entrance. If you're running late, call Loren at 831-227-6737. This is a Santa
Clara County Healthy Trails outing (http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/).

Please use the Yahoo Group Poll to indicate interest in this week's events. If
you're unsure of event cancellation due to weather, please feel free to call the
appropriate hike leader.

Get outside today - it's clear and warm!
-Debbie and little Max