Arroyo Hondo Preserve - It's all in the docent

Today, the girls and I toured Arroyo Hondo Preserve on the Gaviota Coast. Another parent had organized the group tour of this once-home to Chumash people. We were happy to have been invited along for the ride. It's a beautiful, expansive, rugged parcel complete with a year-round stream (a feature rare in our half of the county). We saw the last throes of spring wildflowers, including a Humboldt Lily.

E is 10 now, and has started to branch out. She likes more and more independence, and asked to be in a group separate from V and me. No problem! So she headed off with kids her speed and age while V and I headed off with a different docent in a smaller group.

Well, it seems E had an entirely different tour than V and I did. E was totally jazzed by the time the hike was over and told us about some of the varied activities her group's docent provided to help the kids learn some things along the way while making the learning memorable. V, on the other hand, was bored out of her mind and didn't much appreciate our condescending docent. (Honestly, I couldn't blame her.)

The reserve is open to the public on the first and third Saturdays of the month, and there are miles of trails to explore, plus great picnicking opportunities. The creek alone is, for me, worth the walk. Is there anything quite so relaxing as the sound of water trickling through the rocks while the wind rustles through the leaves where birds call and bugs buzz?

Another mom in E's group posted some photos of the day. I hope this embed works for you.



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