25 in 2025 -- Explore At Least One New Park or Trail -- Lowes Creek

I am always on the look out for new trails or parks to explore. I've done most of the ones around here. So when I'm at baseball or having adventures, I am on the lookout for a new park or trail or even a random path to explore. I got lucky when I found out our friends lived within walking distance of a county park. 

Since it was a beautiful day and I had some time to kill, I decided to go check out the county park. The hubby even came with me. 

Lowes Creek is part of the Eau Claire County Park System. If you actually park, like a state park, you need to pay an entrance fee. It is $6/day or $35/year and gains you access to all the county parks. 

Because of spring thaw many of the more challenging trails were closed due to muddy conditions. This made me sad as I'm always up for a good hike. The hubby was probably secretly glad as he is not a hiker and prefers much easier terrain. 

Since our options were limited we walk the snowshoe/cross county ski trail. It is a giant grassy loop that is fairly flat. To me it was pretty boring probably because of everything still being brown from winter. Hopefully we can explore when it's lush and green and fully of critters. 

I am glad Eau Claire County Park System has well maintained parks. I may have to explore other parks (and pay the $6 fee) on future visits.. or at least explore some of the other trails at Lowes Creek. 

I wonder what other trails and parks I will explore this year. Stay tuned to find out if I stumble across any other ones. 

910. Go to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

 I've wanted to go to the Audubon Nature Center in Brown Deer for years but since moving to the Fox Valley years ago, it's been a little more difficult. I didn't want to drive almost 2 hours to go to a nature center when I have several within 15 minutes of me. Then a friend went and I was like I'm definitely getting there this year. So I decided to go when the hubby was in Iowa and I was back home for the weekend.

The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is located in Brown Deer on Lake Michigan. It is actually the former home of the Schlitz Farm, as in the Schlitz Brewing Company, and is where their horses rested after pulling the beer wagons. Admission is $8/adult and $5/kids. It is open 9-5 daily.

After paying the entrance fee, I started wandering trails. There are over 6 miles of trails through forests, prairies, wetlands, and Lake Michigan Shore. 

My first stop was the Observation Tower. It is a 60 foot tower and is a relatively easy climb to the top. The views are quite nice as well. Definitely worth the climb.

From there I just wandered whatever trail peaked my interest. I tried to keep close to the Nature Center because I had only about an hour or so to explore. I explored mainly the Lake Terrace Loop and the Central Wetlands Loop.

I saw Mystery Lake, Dragonfly Pond, and Molly's Pond. That's what I liked about the nature center many different habitats and water views. 

Some of trails were more rugged than others. There were a lot of boardwalks as well.

I definitely want to go back and continue to explore what I have not seen and the trails I have seen. You definitely need to explore the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center if you are in the area or find a nature center near you and explore. Go get your nature on. 

Exploring the Green Circle Trail in Stevens Point

 The hubby had a baseball doubleheader in Stevens Point at Bukolt Park. Like usual, I tagged along and figured I'd get a walk in. I really wanted to walk to and explore the Sculpture Park but it was 1.9 miles there and 1.9 miles back plus the length of the trail. That is like an entire baseball game. I opted to explore around Bukolt Park figured I'd just walk city streets.

I actually ended up walking part of the Green Circle Trail. I walked the River Front Trail. The Green Circle Trail is a 27 mile loop trail throughout the city of Stevens Point and includes 10 different portions and links to other trails. 

The River Front trail followed along the Wisconsin River it is about a mile from Bukolt Park to downtown. It is a nice portion of the trail.

I saw plenty of geese and ducks.

And a new mini park being constructed.

There were also some history about the area along the trail.

Later in the day, I tried to walk a portion of the Stagecoach trail but I lost the trail when it went onto a road. I turned around and headed back to baseball.

I would highly recommend explore the trails of the Green Circle if you are ever in Stevens Point. There are plenty of hidden gems along the way to explore as well.

Quarantine Adventures: Aunt Amy's Science Camp

 My brother asked if I would watch my nephew while they went Christmas shopping. I said I would. There was one small problem with this.. I have nothing for a 9 year old boy to do for a couple of hours and he doesn't have any sort of "screen" to keep him occupied for that long. I was going to steal my brother's Legos when we were home a few weeks ago but decided we could do science experiments instead. My nephew likes science and I figured this would be a good way to kill some time.

After scouring Pinterest for ideas, I made a list of possible activities we could do. I wasn't sure what he was interested in more: Science or Engineering.

We did the following activities

Suck an egg in a bottle -- EPIC FAIL! The egg never was sucked into the bottle. I think our egg was too cold and the bottle too big. We used an quart milk bottle. I hard-boiled the egg the day before and stored it in the fridge. I think there was too much oxygen left when the flame when out in the bottle cause the egg to drop in the bottle. We will try this again another day with a smaller bottle and a warmer egg.

Lemon Volcanoes -- 

We sliced lemons in half and poked holes in them.

Then we sprinkled with baking soda and dish soap. 

We added extra lemon juice to speed up the process.

They were cool but kind of messy. J had fun pouring on the lemon juice. Not a big hit but fun enough.

Rain Clouds

This was a quick activity before lunch. Just food coloring and shaving cream. It kept J occupied for a bit.

Balloon Darts

This was the big winner of the day. I literally stacked a couple cups and J tried to knock them down by shooting an inflated balloon at it the stack. He never quite aimed right but it was fun trying.

Bottle Rockets

Another winner of the day. We filled a water bottle 1/3 of the way with vinegar, dropped a packet of baking soda in it, and stuck a cork in it. The bottle took off like a rocket when the baking soda and vinegar reacted. This is definitely an outdoor activity. J was so excited by this one, he had to show the hubby.

Inflating Balloons

J was not as impressed with this one as he was with the rockets. This was another baking soda and vinegar activity. You filled a balloon with baking soda and a water bottle with vinegar. Stick the balloon on the rim of the bottle and watch the balloon inflate.

Catapults

I found many different versions of this. I was excited to try making catapults. However, they weren't very good. Nothing flew very far but J had fun trying. 

Pencil Baggies

This activity J found in his science experiment book he brought with.

You literally fill a ziplock bag with water. Go outside and stick pencils through the bag. The water will not leak. This is a great hot summer day activity. J was impressed that it did not leak and it was fun to let the water out when we were done. 

Note: It doesn't ruin your good colored pencils :)

Balloon Rocket

This was a last minute add since we had time. We tied a piece of yarn to a chair. Then we added a straw before trying the yarn to another chair. Then we taped an inflated balloon to the straw and let go. It was fun but the string could have been longer.

It was a fun day of science fun. J couldn't stop talking about everything we did when he parents came to pick him up. Aunt Amy Science Camp for the win. Sometimes kids just need to do fun things that don't require screens and they will talk about it for ages.