cheap thrills: things to do for under $10 (item seven)
it's spring time! flowers bloom, birds crank up the volume, and the sun isn't quite deadly yet. and so, for the seventh idea for thrifty fun...
combine a nature walk with a picnic!
whether you make a day of it and explore a trail system in your area or take a short stroll around a city park, spring is an especially fun time to turn a walk into a happening. a nature walk with food can be a short as your lunch break or as extended as you want. you don't have to worry about finding a great out-of-town spot for
your walk, either. nature is all around, even in the weeds pushing
through the cracks in the sidewalk or the geese crowding the sidewalk
around a city pond.
how is a nature walk different than a regular walk? the only real
difference in a nature walk is that you set out with the purpose of paying
attention to the bits of nature that surround you. it can become as involved as you want, featuring props like binoculars and field guides, or you can keep it so low key that even a close observer wouldn't know that you're on a nature walk as opposed to a regular walk. (however, if someone is closely observing you on your walk, you should seek a well lit and crowded public place, stat!)
for the picnic portion of the walk, consider the time of day. there's no rule against packing danishes, juice and coffee and having breakfast outside! likewise, picnic does not automatically mean lunch. you could take an evening walk and have a picnic supper just as well. to get the most out of your walk, though, consider whether you intend to carrying your food along with you. bringing it along for the walk gives you the chance to find the perfect spot to stop and eat, but it also requires you to bring easy-to-pack foods. or, you can leave it in the car (assuming you drove!) and eat when you return if there's a nice area to do so. regardless, don't forget to bring along an adventure blanket to spread out on, wear the right shoes for the terrain, and pack the essentials: plenty of drinking water, mosquito repellent and sunscreen.
looking for places to do this? you can get out a map of your town and find the green areas that usually delineate parks--my cheapy gas station map marks all city, county and even state parks this way. or visit your city's website and check for a parks and rec page. most public city and county parks have no entrance or parking fees, but many have restrictions on hours of use. if you need this information ahead of time, be sure to check your city's website. for me, finding a new place to check out is half the adventure!
or if you're looking for a very specific kind of walk, you can ask people who share your interest (for example, if you want to go on a bird walk, track down a local bird watching club and ask for recommendations). you can also call the county extension office or even utilize your public library's reference librarian to get pointed in the right direction. another great place to look for suggestions is at the local outdoor supply stores. however, if you venture beyond the standard municipal green spaces, be sure to check ahead of time to find out any special regulations you may be subject to, including parking fees, permits, and restrictions on dogs. and as always, if you explore less frequented trails, be sure to let someone know where you're going and bring along
appropriate emergency provisions.
but above all, get outside, look around, walk around, and enjoy a meal! it's springtime!