Pioneer Ridge's Annual Halloween Night Hike October 2011--Magnificent Migrators

Want to have some fun, learn about animals, and enjoy a fall evening?  That’s exactly what many guests experienced at Pioneer Ridge’s Annual Halloween Night Hike.   Our county’s Conservation Commission teamed up with a crew of volunteers to offer two evenings of "edutainment" about animals that migrate, as the theme for this year’s hike was Magnificent Migrators.

Guests began at the Nature Center at Pioneer Ridge and were formed into groups of 15-25.  Groups left with the Natural Center every 10 minutes with a guide to make their way around the 1.5 mile paved path to visit the various stations where migrating animals were being portrayed.

First up were the pelicans—a mama and “teenage” pelican.

The path continued to the hummingbirds—a mama and child hummingbird were being portrayed.

The dragonflies were up next.

Silver haired bats were next on the trail and were the only migrating mammal in the bunch.

The endangered Sooty Shearwater birds were next to share information with guests.

A Monarch Butterfly shared its needed migrating conditions with guests.

A family of Canadian Geese greeted guests at the next to last stop on the trail.

Lastly, a pair of salmon informed guests in between their bickering.

When guests completed the “hike” portion of the evening, there was even more fun. . . and goodies, waiting for them in the lower level of the Nature Center. 

Volunteers provided cookies and other sweet treats along with coffee and hot chocolate. 

Balloon figures were available for the kiddos.

Cotton Candy was a hit.

And face painting was available.  All done by volunteers!

Guests are welcome to done their Halloween gear when joining in the hike.  Just dress for the weather!  It can be chilly to down right cold during the evening.  This year, we had beautifully weather. .  . windy and a bit chilly on Friday night and just a bit brisk on Saturday night.  Mother Nature even graced us with an almost full moon and clear skies for star gazing.

This creative, safe, educational endeavor is a favorite fall experience for guests and volunteers alike.  This marks the 9^th year of our family’s participation in the Halloween Night Hike and the 2^nd year of the husband and the boy portraying animals.  (Click here to read about last year’s Hike.)

Mark your calendars for next year.  We’ll see you there!

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.

Ticks--Part 1 It's Not What You Think!

This coming week-end the husband and the boy will be portraying ticks at the annual Pioneer Ridge Night Hike.

Each year, Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, located just south of Ottumwa on Highway 63, hosts a Night Hike on a Friday and Saturday night in October.  Each Night Hike has a theme and this year's theme is Bloodsuckers and Parasites.  Come listen to eels, mosquitos, fleas, cicada wasps, leeches, and ticks tell you their story.  You don't always get to hear it from their side!

The Night Hike is Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9, from 6:00-8:00 pm.  The cost is $3 per person.  The 1.5 mile outside hike along the paved trail will begin at the top level of the Nature Center and end at the lower level where hot chocolate and yummy treats will be served.  Balloons and face painting have also been known to occur.

The Night Hike has been an annual event for our family since the boy was 11 months old and made the hike in his stroller.  So, how fitting that he is now part of the "show" so to speak.  I will be hosting groups on Friday night and then I get into the act, too, on Saturday night as the scientist.

Check out Pioneer Ridge's web-site for more information.  Tours leave the Nature Center every 10 minutes.  See you there on the trail!

Click here to read about more Pioneer Ridge fun!