Hello Mommies and Daddies!

The heat was intense this week, and even today it's a bit warm. We
hope you've been managing to stay cool. Tis the season for
experimenting with water - we'll start swim lessons next month at the
local high school pool, and thanks to a visit to Mitchell Park with
Melissa and Maxwell last week, little Max is even more eager about
fountains and spray pools. If you're curious about water and baby or
would like to evaluate the safety concerns and benefits to baby
awareness and comfort in water, see the StrollerHikes Water Fun Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/WaterFun/WaterFun.html).

Here are this week's events:
Monday, May 19th at 1:30 pm we'll hike at Byxbee Park at the Byxbee
parking area (a left turn at the end of Embarcadero). We'll hike up
and down the lovely crushed oyster shell paths around the artistic
installments to Byxbee Park, then hike over to the Palo Alto Baylands
Park, stopping to check out the birds around the duck pond as well as
windsurfers and artists taking advantage of the good weather and
interesting landscape. The trail works fine for all types of
strollers. Dogs allowed! For more information about the parks and
directions to Byxbee's main parking lot, see Byxbee Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/Byxbee/Byxbee.html) and Palo Alto
Baylands Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/PABaylands/PABaylands.html). Amy
and little Adelina will lead this hike.

Wednesday, May 21st at 11:30 am we'll hike at Rancho San Antonio.
Meet at the Equestrian Parking Lot (lower lot without bathroom; go
downhill immediately after entrance). For more information or
directions, see the Rancho San Antonio Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/RanchoSanAntonio/ranchoSanAntonio.html).
Sorry, dogs not allowed. Any type of baby transport works. We
can take the new paved trail from here, past the upper parking areas,
to the farm, and beyond, or if people want more of a workout, we can
try Coyote Trail. Kelly and her little one will lead this hike.

Thursday, May 22nd at 4 pm we'll hike at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale.
Any stroller or carrier 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 costs money at the park, but if you'd like free parking, park
at the ball field next door (there's a dirt path leading from the
sidewalk coming from the ball field to the recycled water garden).
Debbie and little Max will lead this hike. Debbie's cell # is 650-
776-1082 if you're running late.

Friday, May 23rd at 10:30 am we'll hike at Windy Hill. Meet in the
parking lot off of Portola Road. Baby carriers or backpacks are best,
but joggers should do OK. For more information or directions, see the
Windy Hill Page
(http://www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/WindyHill/WindyHill.html).
Susannah and little Indiana will lead this hike. Susannah's cell # is
650-464-8659 if you're running late.

Fernando Elias, a county park ranger at Calero and Almaden
Quicksilver County Park contacted me last week about a special event
they're putting on on Saturday, May 24th. They're calling it "Oh
Baby, What a Hike," and they're inviting families with strollers to
come out and enjoy the interpretive center and go on a hike, led by a
ranger (who's also a parent). Emphasis will be on considerations for
safe outdoor outings with babies and toddlers. The program and
parking are free, but be sure to bring your own water, snacks, and
sun protection. Fernando tells me that reservations are not
required. The hike will be on rolling dirt trails, so a small-
wheeled stroller may not be suitable; large-wheeled strollers and
carriers/backpacks are best. The program will run from 10 am to noon
and will begin at Calero County Park's Park Office. The office phone
number is (408) 268-3883 and it is located at 23205 McKean Road in
San Jose. No dogs allowed on trails, but you may see horses there.
Check out the Santa Clara County Parks Department Website for
information about Calero County Park
(http://www.parkhere.org/portal/site/parks/parksarticle?path=%252Fv7%252FParks%2\
520and%2520Recreation%252C%2520Department%2520of%2520%2528DEP%2529&contentId=3b4\
598ba77784010VgnVCM10000048dc4a92____&cpsextcurrchannel=1) or Bay Area Hiker's
Description of one of the longer hikes at
the park (http://www.bahiker.com/southbayhikes/calero.html).

Stay cool!
-Debbie and little Max