Family Friendly Cincinnati

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Hiking With Kids :: Guest Post

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Today I bring you a guest post that I am downright giddy about.  Tammy York, author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Cincinnati is going to tell you about her experiences hiking with children.  The reason I’m so giddy is that because Tammy and her book are an inspiration to me.  I’ve always loved hiking, but tended to go to the same places over and over again.  Because I had absolutely no idea how many amazing places there are to hike around Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky!  Tammy’s book is informative & educational.  She does so much more than just list 60 places to hike, she gives detailed descriptions of the trails, directions to the parks where the trails are located, important details such as length & difficulty of each trail, which trails have “facilities”, and my favorite part, she gives her own opinions and personal thoughts of each place to hike.  The book is a great resource for a family that likes to explore the outdoors.  It’s an easy to read guide, and she has the book laid out in such a way that makes it easy to find whatever hike will suit your family the best.  The front of the book contains a section called “hiking recommendations” where you can look for the perfect hike for your family using such guidelines as “hikes under two miles” or “hikes with wetlands, ponds and lakes” or, my favorite “kid friendly hikes”.  She makes it easy for everyone, from the inexperience hiker to the folks who hike every week to find what they are looking for.  My copy is a bit dog-eared and well-loved.  There are pamphlets stuck in the back from places we’ve visited, and a few handwritten notes here and there.  My goal is to make it through all 60 hikes with my family.  Of course, we are moving a bit slowly, and the kids might be in college before we are finished, but we’re enjoying the process immensely!  Each summer we make our list of things we want to do while the kids are off school, and for the past two summers we used this book to pick out the hikes we wanted to do.  Some of our favorite places to hike have been Clifton Gorge at Yellow Springs, Dinsmore Homestead and Rowe Woods.  These are just a few of the hiking gems we have found thanks to this book.  Here’s a little bit of insight from Tammy York about hiking with young children, and after you read this, I’ll bet you’ll be wanting to hear more from Tammy. You can find this book on Amazon, at Joseph Beth Bookseller and  Roebling Point Bookstore as well as other local booksellers.

GUEST POST :: Hiking with Kids by Tammy York

I know how hard it can be to slow down and enjoy the trail. When I was researching and writing 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Cincinnati, I did most of the hikes with my two daughters (ages 2 and 4 at the time). With a deadline looming—I was on a mission to hike, hike, hike. At first they were excited about hiking but after the first few trails their attitude changed. Rather than being excited, they whined about hiking “again.”

I finally realized I needed to put them in charge. That started with a trip to the store. I bought the teeny tiniest little backpacks I could find. They packed their NEW backpacks with their field gear: a small notebook, pencil, colored pencils, and magnifying lens as well as their choice of snack and drink.

The night before the hike, I would tell them about three different hikes and ask them which one they wanted to do. When we were on the trail they took turns as the leader or navigator. We looked for the colors of the rainbow, a bent tree, a white flower, an acorn with the cap still on, etc. This kept them in control and fully engaged in the adventure of being outdoors. When they tired, we stopped and shared a snack, rehydrated, journaled, and drew pictures.

Fast forward five years: I am proud to have two avid hikers and naturalists who enjoy adventuring into the great outdoors.

To Get Started

Cincinnati is such a wonderful place to live and we are blessed to have so many amazing green spaces nearby. If you aren’t a naturalist, several trails are in parks with amazing nature centers staffed by seasoned naturalists who will be happy to answer your questions and share their expertise.

For hiking/nature newbies, Cincinnati Nature Center, Winton Woods, and Sharon Woods offer easy trails and great nature centers. All are located in Ohio. Other hikes with great nature centers and longer hikes are Caesar Creek State Park (OH), Hueston Woods State Park (OH), and Clifty Falls State Park (IN).

Happy Hiking! You can connect with me at hikecincy.com, @6060cincyhikes, and Facebook 6060CincyHikes. 

All the best,  Tammy

Tammy York, Author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Cincinnati

 

 

When not blogging for Family Friendly Cincinnati, you can find Katie writing at her personal blog, www.thelittlethingsjournal.blogspot.com. 

Comments

  1. Jenny L says

    I “LIKE” the Family Friendly Cincinnati Facebook page AND the Menasha Ridge Press Facebook page.

  2. Jenny L says

    Winning a copy of this book would be so incredible! Our kids are just the right age to introduce them to hiking and camping and this would be a great resource. Thank you for the opportunity to win!

    Jenny

  5. Suzanne says

    We would love to win because we are outside a ton with 2 active kids and 2 dogs. We need some new spaces to explore and this would be a great way to discover some new hiking/picnic spots!

  6. Donna Goukler says

    I would love to share the hiking book with my family. We moved from Georgia a month ago and enjoyed lots of hiking there. It’s a great way to feel connected to nature and to your family. My 2 children are slowly getting adjusted to life in a new state and being outdoors together helps us not to swear the small stuff and take in some beautiful scenery.

  7. Shannon Purkiss says

    I liked both pages and shared the link on FB. Love the tips for hiking with small, reluctant hikers, as is often the case for us. We just bought our first family tent–a two-room monstrosity meant to calm my husband’s nerves about camping with 3 and 5-year-olds. I can’t wait to drag them out for some fall camping! Would love to own either book.

  9. Midge B. says

    I would love to win either book. My husband and I hiked and camped alot when we were dating and enjoyed it very much. Now that we are married with 2 little ones, getting out is more difficult. But, hiking is cheap, good for you and eco-friendly. We want our kids to be “little hikers/little campers” too! I already get the newsletter-thanks!

  10. Marc says

    I am Julie the cruise director in my house. If anything more complacated then cereal in pajamas while watching TV happens, I am at the center of it making it happen. I would like to have both of these books to help me plan activities that burn the energy Off of my young children. *fingers crossed*

  11. Meg Cross says

    My kids have lots of energy so we hike whenever possible as they enjoy nature. We would love this book to help us discover new trails in the area.

  15. Stacy Dye says

    I would LOVE to win one of these books. My husband and I enjoy hiking, but have three small children, so we’re always looking for places that are family friendly!!!

  16. Stacey Karlosky says

    I am always looking for places to go with my girls. My daughter loves nature and this book would come in handy. Hope to win!

  17. Jaime C. says

    We love to hike and have been stuck in a rut, going to the same places over and over. Exploring is in our nature, and this book would be a great way to let the kids be involved in our hiking destination decision.

  18. Laura says

    We love to get the kids outdoors to hike and geocache along the way! This book would be perfect for us!!

  20. Amy Cochran says

    I would love one of these books because our family loves to be outside and camp and go hiking. We could use some new places to explore.
    Thanks

  21. Cathy Borders says

    I would love to win one of these books because we are an avid outdoors family. We own a RV and camp every week. We are Boy Scouters, so hiking is very fun for us! This book will give us more things to explore!

  22. Sara says

    I am from Colorado, where hiking is part of growing up. I know there’s great places to take my boys here, but I don’t know where they all are. I need some inspiration!!

  28. Karen L says

    I would love this book to find new places to take my family. We’re always looking for easy, fun hikes!

  33. Andi M. says

    I really enjoy hiking with my 3 and 5-year-olds. We would love to learn about some new destinations in the area!

    • Tammy York says

      Andi,

      There are a lot of great hikes here in Cincinnati. If this is the first time hitting the trail with the kids I suggest soemthing short like one of the loops at Sharon Woods or at Cincinnati Nature Center. Both places have great nature centers. I also like the trails at Winton Woods, Withrow, and Woodland Mound.

      Happy Hiking!

      Tammy

  35. Karen louise says

    I am a native New Englander recently transferred to Cincinnati. I need to find some great hikes to share my love of hiking with my kids!!

  43. Stephanie Brown Eversole says

    I would love to win one of these books! We were just at Rowe Woods yesterday, and we had a blast.

  44. Julie M says

    We would love to win a copy of this book! The kids love to hike! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

  49. Marianne says

    We’d love the Hiking book. Have the Hiking Ohio book, but would love more ideas for hikes within an hours drive.

  54. Joan Thamann says

    With a family of three boys (soon to be 4), hiking is big in our family. We’d love to find new places to hike and camp. Thanks!

  65. Jaime Pierson says

    So-o-o excited to read this guest post too! My husband and I were backpackers in the “before the family” days of our relationship. In fact, he proposed on the summit of Mt Laconte 13 wonderful years ago. Our daughter is now turning five and becoming old enough to start venturing out with us more. We really enjoying camping and “exploring” together and it would be wonderful to have such a great resource at hand to those great destinations within Ohio.

  66. Matt says

    Trying to get my family to live a healthy lifestyle. This book would help us find new places to explore.

  70. Michelle Miller says

    We love family hikes! These books would give us more ideas of places to go! And my husband & daughter love camping weekends. Great contest!

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