Hello all-

Last month, Stroller Hikes hosted a moonlit hike, with sponsorship by Santa
Clara County (to keep the park open past dark). It was a wonderful event, with
Jennifer leading about 16 of us along a path through grasslands and alongside a
marsh at Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch Park near Gilroy. This week Jennifer
will host a second moonlit hike – come out to learn about the animals of the
area, how behavior and senses change after dark, and to have a cool family
outdoor experience. We should have some moonlight at least at the tail end of
the hike (moonrise is around 9 pm).

If you'd rather be farther up the peninsula, we have events as far North as San
Mateo this week. Come moo at a cow on Monday (at Stanford), watch airplanes
land at SFO on Tuesday (at Ryder Park), look out for baby bunnies and quail on
Wednesday (at Rancho San Antonio), find late blooming wildflowers on Thursday
morning (at Sanborn), explore natural treasures around bends in a narrow trail
on Thursday afternoon (at Coal Mine Ridge), tackle some hills on Friday (at
Calero), and marvel at the number of stars in the country on Saturday (Coyote
Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch). You'll also notice a 5K walk/run benefit for
Mothers' Milk Bank on Sunday.

Speaking of benefits...

Stroller Hikes was recently donated a Bell Jogging Stroller. This stroller is
in excellent condition (used only twice by its previous owner) and has some very
nice features. These include:
• Plenty of space for storage, including a large mesh back pocket and a large
mesh and reinforced nylon below-seat pocket, as well as two small mesh pockets
on either side of the seat
• A hand brake AND foot break (many strollers come with only one of these
brakes, if they have brakes at all)
• A tether (a safety feature many joggers are lacking)
• Collapsible sun shield with a clear vinyl window for parent/baby viewing
• A removable wind/rain shield (another rarely-seen feature)
• Adjustable push handle (two heights)
• Easy-to-use back wheel releases
• Folding features to compress the stroller for easy transportation in a small
car. This folds flatter than most jogging strollers do, and is a couple of
pounds lighter than most
• 5-point harness and seat suitable for child up to 40 pounds

Bell no longer makes this stroller, so one drawback in buying this stroller is
that you may not be able to replace wheels or other components if they break.
Of several reviews I read about this product, people are especially pleased with
its ease of use and value. If you're interested in buying this stroller,
Stroller Hikes is asking for $50 or best offer. All funds will go towards
Stroller Hikes programs and services.

Here are this week's events:

Monday, May 4th at 10 am Amy B. and her wee ones will lead a hike at Stanford
Dish, beginning from the bridge just beyond the parking area at Piers Lane and
Alpine Road. Any baby transport works, but small wheeled strollers may have to
be lifted over the two small cattle guards (a distance of about 3 feet each).
Sorry, no dogs allowed. For information on this area or directions, see The
Stanford Dish Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/StanfordDish/StanfordDish.html). If you're
running late, call Amy at 408-368-7161.

Tuesday, May 5th 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.

Wednesday, May 6th 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, May 7th at 10 am come for a hike with Jennifer and her wee one at
Sanborn Park just beyond Saratoga. We'll see how the woods are changing with the
warmer weather, in preparation for summer! Meet outside the YSI building, marked
very clearly as you enter the park from Sanborn Road (the main park entrance).
Baby carriers or backpacks are best, if children are not good walkers. After you
pass the parking payment area, make your first right and park in that parking
lot. For directions or more information about the area, see The Sanborn-Skyline
Webpage (http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/SanbornSkyline/SkylineSanborn.html).
If you're running late, call Jennifer at (408) 470-0463.

Thursday, May 7th at 4:30 we'll meet for a Toddler Trek of Coal Mine
Ridge/Portola Valley Ranch. Debbie and little Max will lead this rustic hike,
mainly through shaded woods. Toddlers will be encouraged to hike and explore on
these narrow trails with new sights around every corner. For non-walking
children, a baby carrier or backpack are recommended. We'll talk about Spanish
Moss and look for animal trails, while we talk about how critters access water
when the creek is so far below this hill. For information about the hike and
directions, see The Coal Mine Ridge Webpage
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/CoalMineRidge/CoalMineRidge.html). Dogs not
allowed. If you're running late, call Debbie at 650-776-1082.

Friday, May 8th at 10 am join Loren and little Angelo for a hike at Calero
County Park in San Jose. About 0.5 miles of this trail is very narrow, so
backpacks/carriers are best for carrying babies. To get there, take the Bailey
Exit from Highway 101 and travel west. After 3.3 miles, Bailey will dead-end at
McKean Road. Turn left onto McKean Road and travel for about 1 mile, turning
right into the entrance for Calero Park. Travel about 1/3 mile down the dirt
road to the large dirt parking lot on your right, across from a horse grazing
area. We'll hike the Figueroa/Vallecito/Pena/Los Cerritos Trail Loop. The
trailhead begins across the dirt driveway from the parking area, near a horse
trough. After 0.2 miles down the access trail, turn left onto Figueroa Trail, to
follow the creek through this shaded valley. Turn right onto Vallecito Trail
after 1.2 miles, climbing the hillside to Pena Trail. Turn right onto Pena for a
short distance, then right onto Los Cerritos Trail. As you come downhill, you'll
notice the pond, which has a platform for wildlife viewing. Return down the the
hill, then turn right to return down the access trail to the parking area. This
is a 2.8 mile trail that is hilly. Don't forget to bring some water! If you're
running late, call Loren at 831-227-6737. This is a Santa Clara County Healthy
Trails (http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/) outing.

Saturday, May 9th at 8 pm, join Jennifer and Kayla for a full-moon hike at
Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch Park near Gilroy. What a treat to share sunset and
witness some critters settling down to rest, while other creatures come alive at
night! We'll hike Martin Murphy Trail, a 2 mile paved loop, with excellent
vantage points for seeing stars and looking for bats flying to catch insects,
while offering plenty of safe space for toddlers and children to hike with us.
Rangers will welcome us, then Jennifer will alert you to nature at dusk and
beyond, by the light of the moon. All family members welcome! This is a Santa
Clara County Play Here (http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/) activity.
Register at the Santa Clara County Website or by calling or e-mailing Carrie
Grisenti at 408-355-2240 or Carrie.Grisenti@..., or just come out to
join us! To get to the trailhead, drive towards Gilroy on Highway 101. From the
Highway 101 exit at San Martin Avenue, drive East for 2 miles on San Martin
Avenue. The Harvey Bear Ranch entrance to the park is on the left, a quarter
mile East of Foothill Avenue, on San Martin Avenue. Call Jennifer at
408-470-0463 if you're running late. The event is free, but a parking fee may
apply.

Sunday, May 10th at 8 am (registration) and 9 am (begin of walk/run) come to
Vasona Park in Los Gatos for Mothers' Milk Bank's First Annual 5K. Mothers' Milk
is celebrating 35 years of banking milk for moms in need with this fun run/walk.
Registration is $25 in advance, or $30 at the event, with children 12 and
younger participating for free. See The Milk Bank 5K
Flyer(http://home.earthlink.net/~milkbank/WebFlyer.pdf) for more information.

Enjoy the outdoors!
- Debbie and little Max