As a family we are always coming up with fun projects. Here are some of our current adventure/projects that are fun to share and just might inspire someone to get out side and explore the beautiful world we live in.

The Regional Parks Project - Last year we purchased our first Sonoma County Regional Parks pass. As with most things it started out simple. We live near Crane Park and Spring Lake Park and visit them often. It was cheaper to buy the pass than pay the daily parking fee. Soon we discovered that there were many more regional parks that we ever imagined. How cool would it be to visit them all? And, thus was born the Hunter’s Tour of the Sonoma County Regional Parks. We set up a website with a list of all the regional parks. The parks that we have visited are flagged and there are links to photos of our visit to each park.

The Alphabet Project - Rohnert Park, appropriately named, has many parks. One afternoon we were practicing our alphabet and talking about the local parks. The parks are named for the section of town that they are in – A, B, C, D, E, etc etc. So we came up with the idea to visit all of the “Alphabet Parks” in Rohnert Park – the birth of the Alphabet Project.

Hunter loves maps. So we got a map of Rohnert Park and Hunter Highlighted all the parks. Then we set out to visit each one. Anytime we had a few free hours with nothing to do we would go to the next park on our list. While we are in the park we, Play (of course), take photos and Hunter gets to circle that park on the map. Afterwards Hunter gets to pick his favorite photo from the adventure. We print it and then post it to a board with all the others. Hunter’s thoughts on the park are then documented under the photo. For example, “A Park is Awesome”. “B Park is Bad”, etc etc.

Bay Area Ridge Trail project - This project is not Hunter friendly – not yet at least. Hunters idea of Hiking, as with most 4 year olds I’m sure, is very short distances with many snack breaks. Obviously the idea of hiking the entire 300 plus miles of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is a bit over Hunter’s head. So, this is Dad’s project. But, who knows, maybe in a year or two Hunter will be up for it and we can do it all over again!!! This project is pretty simple. The Trail is made up of dozens of sections of trail circling the entire SF Bay Area. Though there is no set deadline the thought of completing the trail in one year is reasonable. I have a few adventure buddies joining me. We are excited and always planning our next Hike.

Please feel free to follow Hunters progress through the Alphabet Project and the Regional Parks Project. More importantly, feel free to copy our ideas or make up some new ones and get out on an adventure of your own!