Ticks--Part 2 It's Still Not What You Think!

 Pioneer Ridge’s Annual Night Hike premiered last night with the theme Parasites and Blood Suckers.  Guests visit eight stops around the 1.5 mile paved trail. 

Groups left the Nature Center with a guide every 10 minutes beginning at 6:00 pm with the last group leaving the Nature Center at 7:50 pm.  The cost:  $3 per person over the age of 3.  The complete tour takes 50 minutes to an hour.

The first stop—the scientist who gives an overview of the upcoming stops.

Next—the mosquitoes.  There is a difference between the male and female mosquito.

Then, it’s the ticks.  The husband and the boy portray ticks explaining how ticks find their “hosts.”

The vampire bats come next—enjoying a meal on a “cow.”

The misunderstood leeches are the next stop as they explain their story.

Cicada Wasps are the next stop.  Learn how these creatures protect their nests and are found in every state east of the Rocky Mountains.

The lamprey is next.  These not quite fish, not quite eels explain their role as parasites.

Fleas are the final stop.  Just listening to them makes you want to scratch.

The tour ends at the lower level of the Nature Center.  Inside is face painting, balloons, coloring, sweet treats including cotton candy and cookies, and drinks—punch, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider.

This annual event is a great night out for a family—educational and fun! The weather for this year’s Night Hike is incredible and the fall colors offer an eye catching background. The trail becomes lit with luminaries as the sun sets. Last night, the clear sky allowed for star gazing—the Big Dipper and Little Dipper were easily recognizable.




While the Williams Family has been attending this event since the boy was 11 months old and in a stroller, this is the first time we have participated.



It’s not too late! The Night Hike has another run tonight from 6:00-8:00 pm, and Pioneer Ridge located between Ottumwa and Bloomfield on Highway 63. See you there!

Click here to read Ticks Part 1.
 
Click here to read about another Pioneer Ridge adventure.