Hello Mommies and Daddies!

I was reminded of the miracle of water over this last month, at our Toddler
Treks to Alviso Marina and McClellan Ranch Parks, respectively.

While Max and Anna played in the water of Stevens Creek yesterday, dozens of
honey bees were lapping up water along the shores, in the shade of redwoods,
sequoias, and oaks. McClellan Ranch has their own population of bees to
pollinate the community garden there, as well as numerous wildflowers in the
park and landscaped gardens next door. While the kids enjoyed the ever-changing
sounds and sights of water, the bees happily buzzed about, taking a break from
the hot day at their little "cantina."

At Alviso Marina and Don Edwards SFBN Refuge a couple weeks ago, we all marveled
at the millions of tiny flies that had just been born from the muddy, salty
waters in the area, and the hundreds of red-winged blackbirds that had
apparently amassed to consume them. As we hiked down the trails, the flies
lifted off, as if the path on which we tread was a magic carpet. It was an
amazing sight to see.

Also at McClellan Ranch yesterday, we were invited by a generous mom to visit
the adult goats, baby pygmy goats, and miniature horses there. Most animals had
been taken to the Santa Clara County Fair for show this weekend, and a couple
teenage girls hurried about, washing horses to show in their 4-H competition.
The water washed dust from manes and cleared the way for the opportunity to show
off skills practiced over the year, and the "pursuit of passions", as our guide
put it. If you'd like to see the products of months and years of hard work in
animal husbandry, arts and crafts, cooking, gardening, and more, visit the fair
this weekend – parking and admission are free this year. For more information,
see http://thefair.org/home.cfm.

Don't forget to let me know if you're interested in coming out for Stroller
Hikes' annual camping trip this year. The trip is over Labor Day Weekend. I've
posted details at StrollerHikes.com and in the listings below. As usual, a poll
will be sent out shortly so you can indicate your intent to come to any of this
week's events. We use this information to plan events in the future, so please
use the poll. As usual, all events are free unless specifically noted.

Sunday, August 2nd at 10 am NorCal Bike Forums and William Symons and his kids
lead a leisurely bicycle ride down the Stevens Creek Trail. Meet at Sleeper
Park, at the intersection of Sleeper Avenue and Franklin Avenue in Mountain
View. The ride should be over by noon. This ride is suitable for parents with
infants and toddlers, as well as very young independent riders (all ages!).
William will teach a brief safety class, discuss trail etiquette, and lead the
ride to the Central Expressway Bridge (where train sightings are common!).
Riders can ride to nearby cafes for refreshments or stop at the parks along the
length of the trail, on the way back. For more information about this NorCal
Bike Forum event and other events, seeNor Cal Bike Forum's Family Events
(http://ical.mac.com/WebObjects/iCal.woa/wa/default?d=2&u=rockyshores&v=1&y=2009\
&m=7&n=NorCal%20Bike%20Forums%20Family%20Rides.ics). For more information about
the trail and directions, see the Stevens Creek Trail Webpage
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/StevensCreekTrail/StevensCreekTrail.html).

Monday, August 3rd at 10 am we'll meet at John W Christian Greenbelt. Amy L. and
little Adelina will lead a speed walk / jog along the lovely wide, paved
greenbelt in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara. Dogs allowed but be sure they can manage
on a faster-paced walk/run. We'll take a break around the halfway point for the
trip, to play at the large playground for toddlers, along the greenbelt. Meet at
the pedestrian bridge on Ahwanee Avenue and San Junipero Drive (the bridge is
just NW of San Junipero Dr.). Here is a Mapquest Map of the Starting Location
(http://www.mapquest.com/maps/Ahwanee+Ave+and+San+Junipero+Dr+Sunnyvale+CA/).
For more information about the trail, see the John W Christian Greenbelt Webpage
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/GreenbeltSunnyvale/GreenbeltSunnyvale.html).

Tuesday, August 4th at 8:30 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, August 4th at 2 pm join Amy B. and little James and Sadie for a hike at
Alviso Marina and Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge in Alviso. Come enjoy the range of
birds, the Bay breezes (which kick up in the afternoon), and see the train! The
boardwalks here are great for toddlers. Meet at the Marina Parking lot. Bring a
carrier or a jogging stroller for wee ones. Sorry, no dogs allowed. For
directions or more information about the area, see The Alviso / Don Edwards Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/Alviso/Alviso.html). Call Amy at
408-368-7161 if you're running late. This is a Santa Clara County Healthy Trails
(http://www.parkhere.org/) outing.

Wednesday, August 5th at 9:45 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, August 6th no Toddler Trek is scheduled. They will resume next week.

Saturday, August 8th at 10 am join BetterBurlingame.org for the Family Fun Bike
Ride in Burlingame. Tricycles, training wheels, and trailers are welcome! The
ride starts at the parking lot of the Broadway Caltrain Station on California
Drive. As described on BetterBurlingame.org's Website
(http://www.betterburlingame.org/Family_Bike_Ride/page109.htm): " We bike over
the new Broadway Bicycle-Pedestrian Overpass, and cruise along the Bayfront bike
path for about a mile to the small City park next to the beautiful Anza Lagoon.
Return trip: We retrace our route, ending up at Preston's on Broadway for FREE
ICE CREAM for all the kids."

Saturday, August 8th from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm join Stroller Hikes' board member
and yoga instructor extraordinaire, Julianne Rice, for a yoga class for the
whole family. Want to encourage yoga, acrobatics, flexibility, and exercise in
your family? Julianne's Partner Yoga for the Whole Family: Acrobatic Asanas for
Two or More, may be right for you. This class costs $20 per person, $30 per
couple, or $40 per family. You can register online and find more information at
www.yogaisyouth.com. The class will be held at the Yoga is Youthfulness Studio
in Mountain View off of Castro Street.

Saturday, August 8th at 8 pm join us at Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch Park for
a full-moon hike 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. All family members
welcome! This is a Santa Clara County Play Here (http://www.parkhere.org/)
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. The event is free,
but a parking fee may apply.

Enjoy the weekend!
- Debbie and little Max