During June and July when ticks are most active in Illinois, be sure to check your exposed skin frequently while out hiking. At this time of year, I find ticks most frequently appear inside the top edge of my ankle-length socks. I’ve also found them, ahem, inside the waistband of my shorts. I’m told that ticks appear often in these places because they need a backstop to drill into the skin.
The good news is that these these little vampires have to be attached for at least four hours before they can transmit an illness such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
It’s a stroke of luck that one of the best hiking destinations in the Chicago region is easily reached on a commuter train. A ride from downtown Chicago aboard the South Shore Line will take you to Indiana Dunes State Park. From Millenium Station downtown, catch the train to the Duneland Park Station, and then walk one mile north into the park.
It’s a perfect car-free getaway with about 10 miles of excellent hiking trails and several miles of sandy beach perfect for picnicking. Here’s a new slideshow focusing on the often stunning trails within the park. Thanks to my gifted friend, Doublebrightness, for providing the music.
While picnicking on the beach, consider bringing some extra food in case you encounter Bigfoot (I understand that it likes sliders). Here’s a video clip someone posted on YouTube of a big hairy visitor at the Dunes.
There’s no arguing with the benefits of taking kids on a hike. It allows the family to spend time together, keep fit, and experience the pleasure of exploring the natural world.
When looking for a Chicago-area hiking spot to bring the family, keep in mind that some destinations will be better than others.
A visitors center with engaging nature exhibits is always a plus for kids.
Generally, younger children will prefer a shorter hike through a gentle landscape.
Avoid places that are overly busy. During summer weekends, Chicago’s Lakeshore Path or Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in DuPage County can be overwhelming, not to mention dangerous, for a small child on foot.
Build a child’s interest by asking him or her to help choose the destination. Consider your own preferences, too. If parents are enthusiastic, it will likely rub off on the kids.
So your kids are on the trail, now what? The trick, as many parents know, is making sure the kids have fun. The June 2009 issue of Backpacker magazine contains a short article with some great tips on hiking with kids. Here are a few of the suggestions offered:
Start hiking early and quit before their energy goes on a sharp decline.
Make sure you match the kids’ interests and hiking ability with the right trail and the length of time hiking. Take a rest break every half hour or so.
Play hide and seek by having the kids run ahead on the trail. After everyone walks by, the kids can surprise the family from behind.
Ask kids to find items along the trail: a purple flower, a red rock, or a type of leaf.
Consider bringing items such as binoculars, a magnifying glass, and a camera.
Local parks and county forest preserves throughout the region offer a host of fun programs geared toward teaching kids about the natural world. Keep watch for activities in your community on these websites:
Parents may find it useful to check out my book, 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Chicago. It lists the top kid-friendly hiking destinations in the Chicago area and describes each hike in detail.
In northern Wisconsin’s Chequamegon National Forest, the mosquitoes can be fierce in their search for blood. But once you understand the transaction–a bit of blood and a few itchy spots in return for basking in the great beauty and remote feel of the North Woods–the skeeters can be tolerated.
A thimble-full of blood seemed a minor sacrifice for a weekend spent enjoying what is widely regarded as the best collection of mountain biking trails in the Midwest. Chequamegon (pronounced “sha-wa-maghan”) National Forest contains nearly one million acres of rolling glacial terrain punctuated by rocky outcroppings, dramatic ravines, and hills blanketed with maple, oak, and pine. Dozens of backwoods ponds, lakes, and wetlands provide homes for wildlife such as beavers, loons and bald eagles.
So begins an article of mine that just appeared in Windy City Sports magazine. Read the entire article here.
(Photo above courtesy of Chequamegon Area Mountain Biking Association.)
