Get out and Hike!

Last week was my last week at my job, I am very excited to say that I am finally going to be working part-time. I am so excited I could scream, I can't wait to have more time with my family. Working at my last job was extremely difficult. I had a hard time managing family life because the hours were constantly changing, we were very short staffed, so I was working 12 hour shift on a regular basis and my husband and I never saw one another. So we made the decision that part time would be best for me until Miles is older. I am very blessed to have the option to work part-time and I can't wait to go on more adventures with my family and share them all with you.

My very first adventure with Miles since leaving full time work was visiting Westwood Hills Nature Center in St Louis Park, MN. I have a love for nature centers... Growing up my parents always signed my up for classes at our local nature center and I had a blast. It was actually the place where learned the nature and the outdoors is my passion and I went on to study Fisheries and Wildlife at the University of Minnesota.  Enough about that, let me tell you about Westwood Hills!

It is a beautiful piece of land right in the cities. It is sort of tucked back in a neighborhood in St Louis Park. As we were pulling into the driveway we saw a big Tom wild turkey with a big beard walking across the driveway. I really enjoyed checking this place out. They have a beautiful water garden next the the interpretive nature center and next to that they a live Redtail Hawk in a outdoor cage. It is very cool because the kiddos can get close, which Miles loved! They also have a path  that runs all the way around the lake. It is a beautiful 1.5 mile hike. To top it all off they have some live critters in the nature center for kids to check out too! Here are some photos from our trip.  Unfortunately I dropped my Nikon and screwed up the lens that day so all of these photos were taken with my tablet which doesn't take the best photos.

Miles and I out on the path

So beautiful 

 The Lake

Canoe Dock

Redtail Hawk

Critters!!!

Mom, whats in there!?

Have you been to any other nature centers in the twin cities area!? Which is your favorite? Have you been to Westwood Hills, what did you think about it!? I would really love to heard for you!

Checking One Off the List

Well I got right down to business with the first item checked off on my 30 before 30 list! Visiting Minnehaha Falls, CHECK! To think, I have lived in the twin cities for about 9 years and I never been there. It is gorgeous. It is a beautiful piece of nature in the middle of the city. I suggest anyone visiting or living in the twin cities to go and check it out. It is worth the trip. I plan on going again in the spring to see it when everything is green and lush and maybe in the winter too. I have seen some VERY cool photos of the falls when they are frozen.

We didn't stay for long because we got out of the house late and of course that meant that we were rushing it a little before Mile's nap time. Regardless we made it there! I loved this park because it has some hiking trails, a beautiful picnic area filled with oak trees, a playground, and the falls. If I had to do it all again I would have totally brought our baby carrier so we could have hiked a little. The paths run along the creek so its nearly impossible to let Miles run free. But we did let him run in the picnic area since it is just a wide open space with oaks. He absolutely loved this, I think we spent 45 minutes chasing squirrels from tree to tree. Needless to say he took a long nap after that!

Minnehaha Falls

 Family Shots

Miles and I

Chasing Squirrels... Best activity to wear a little one out!

Guess where he went....

Have you ever been to Minnehaha Falls? Maybe in a different season? What was your favorite thing about it? Do you know of any other great places to spend time outdoors in the twin cities!?

Let me know I would love to hear about em!

I am always looking for new adventures for the family and I!