• GAZLO
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES
• BUSINESSES

Hiking offers families a chance to reconnect with nature

Photo

Photo by Bill Olmsted

Jeff Messer points something out to his wife, Lisa, and their two children, Matthew and Morgan, while they hike a segment of the Ice Age Trail between Milton and Janesville. The Morgans are trying to teach their children their love of the outdoors and of hiking.

Photo

Photo by Bill Olmsted

Jeff and Lisa Messer hike with their children, Matthew and Morgan, along a section of the Ice Age Trail between Milton and Janesville. Jeff Messer said hiking is a way for the children to learn valuable lessons about life and that life is’not always about getting what you want but getting what you need,’ he said.

JANESVILLE — Matt and Morgan Messer were so fascinated by the box turtle along the hiking trail they took plenty time to explore their discovery.

But when the brother and sister got tired of waiting for the tortoise to poke its head out from beneath it’s dome, hinged shell, their curiosity turned to nearby plants and bugs.

“We don’t have to hurry and can take time to explore,’’ said Jeff Messer, the father of Matt, 6, and Morgan, 4.

Time outdoors with the family.

No electronic distractions.

Experiencing lessons in life.

These are just a few benefits of hiking, said Messer, a 47-year-old avid outdoorsman, who spends as much time as possible doing this outdoor activity with his family, including wife Lisa, 40.

To make hiking fun and safe, Messer said the Department of Natural Resources, Internet and stores that sell hiking gear, books and magazines have tons of information on how to get started for everyone of all ages and abilities.

But the Messers have drawn from their years of personal experiences to teach their youngsters the joys of hiking.

Jeff always has hunted, fished, canoed and camped. He also spent 17 years with the Department of Juvenile Corrections, hiking 70 miles a week and living out of a tent for many years.

Lisa was a light hiker before she met Jeff. But as they got to know each other during 14 years of dating, they often hiked around Geneva Lake. Eventually she began to hike more.

The couple introduced their children to hiking at an early age and said others can do the same. The benefit: Children don’t spend so much of their leisure time in front of the TV or on a computer.

It’s a way for them to learn valuable lessons about life and “not always about getting what you want but getting what you need,’’ Jeff said.

For example, when the Messers go hiking, they take everything they need for the day.

“If not, we make do,’’ Jeff said.

The benefit of physical activity is important when obesity is at an all-time high in this country. In addition, hikers get to watch the trees’ leaves turn vibrant colors and feel the air turning cooler in the fall, Jeff said.

“It’s family time,” he added.

Jeff suggests staying close to home when you’re hiking with young children. His family takes advantage of the Ice Age Trail in Rock County plus county and area dog parks.

“With kids so little, it’s pretty involved to drive for long distances,’’ he said.

Jeff also advises a family with children to hike no more than a total of 2 miles.

“Realistically, that’s the most you’ll want to do. They burn a lot of energy on the first mile and a half. So try to get miles from Point A to B in earlier in the day so you can rest and relax the rest of the day,” he said.

Those wishing to go a bit more than 2 miles can, Jeff said, if they gradually work up to the longer distance.

“It’s just like an athlete training,’’ he said.

Jeff also suggests not hiking with children when the temperature dips below freezing.

“The coldest we take the kids is 30 to 35 degrees,’’ he said.

It’s difficult to find waterproof footwear for young children, and after the first half hour to 45 minutes, they lose that comfort factor.

So Jeff said that’s when to take the family home, warm up and dry off, then go back out later.

Hiking with little ones in deep snow, such as this past winter when Janesville experienced record snowfall, is hard with kids, Jeff said.

It’s also hard for them understand not to hike in the paths of cross-country skiers when they are so young.

So he stressed the importance of parents keeping the activity fun.

“If you worry you can’t walk here or there, it takes the fun-factor away,’’ Jeff said.

But most of all, Jeff advised families to not be in a hurry when they hike.

“It’s all about exploration and what you can find.’’

ON THE WEB

-- Wisconsin has 42 state trails that offer a variety of hiking surfaces. To find a state trail, visit: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/finda trail.html.

Click on a trail, on the Wisconsin map, or see the alphabetical list for more information. Also, at the Find a Park page, there is information about trails in state parks, forests and recreation areas.

-- The Rock Trail Coalition, which organized in 1992, advocates for development of hiking and biking trails in Rock County. Annual membership is $15 each or $25 per family. Program meetings are every other month on the third Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Rock County Job Center, 1900 Center Ave., Janesville, and alternating months with outings and trail work.

For more information, write to the coalition at P.O. Box 8101, Janesville, WI 53547-8101, call (608) 754-7004, e-mail volunteerRTC@charter.net or visit http:// rockoutdoorevents.com/RTC.htm.

-- Another list of hiking trails in Wisconsin can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hiking_trails_in_Wisconsin.

-- Nationally, the American Hiking Society, founded in 1976, is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its programs, visit AmericanHiking.org or call 1-800-972-8608.

HIKING IN ROCK COUNTY

-- Devil’s Staircase, Riverside Park, 2200 Parkside Drive, City Highway 14 North, Janesville. This trail, at the north end of the park, winds high above the bluffs overlooking the Rock River and extends Janesville’s 25-mile network of trails by 1 mile to make it part of the statewide Ice Age Trail.

-- Happy Hollow Park is located between Janesville and Beloit at 1731 Happy Hollow Road. This 206-acre park is undergoing development, but trails are available for hiking.

-- Robert O. Cooke Memorial Arboretum, 3570 Magnolia Road, Janesville, is programmed by the Janesville School District, and is just north and west of the city. This 100 acres of woods has almost 5 miles of nature trails.

-- Magnolia Bluff Park is located about 18 miles from central Janesville. The park is just south of Evansville, and located a half-mile south of Highway 59 and Croak Road, at 4002 N. Croak Road. This 120-acre park features rock outcroppings and vistas plus hiking trail that is 2.9 miles with a shortcut (intermediate) length of 2.1 miles.

-- Pelishek Nature Trail—This recreational 6-mile trail runs from Clinton’s east side to Allens Grove in Walworth County and provides hiking opportunities in the summer.

-- Rockport Park, 2801 Rockport Road, off Highway 11 West, Janesville, has 6 miles of hiking trails, in their natural condition, in the northeast portion of this 256-acre park, which is the city’s largest park.

HIKING TIPS

Hiking with the family, year around isn’t difficult and can be made even easier with a little knowledge and planning.

Avid outdoorsman and hiker Jeff Messer of Edgerton recommends bringing these items:

-- Well-fitted high-top tennis shoes or waterproof footwear, depending on the weather.

This should be a pair you don’t care gets wet or dirty and with laces (not Velcro) to tie for the best support.

-- A roll of 35- to 40-inch duct tape.

This is a “miracle cure” and can be used to repair a hole in your tennis shoe and to prevent blisters (the tape spreads out pressure and works the same as mole skin but sticks).

-- Waterproof jacket.

Trash bags are a cheaper version for children and can be worn under their other jackets.

-- Non-itching wool cap.

This will work to keep your head dry in any weather and provides a layer of insulation.

-- Leather mittens with a liner (cotton or wool) inside.

The leather waterproofs the mittens for added warmth.

-- Cotton long underwear.

Children grow too fast to buy expensive moisture-wicking attire. This is a cheap solution.

-- Compass and cell phone.

Not necessary if you’re hiking on trails in town, but take with if it provides you additional reassurance.

-- Pocket tool.

Carry as a precaution. This can be used to remove a sliver or cut duct tape.

-- Fluids.

Carry one gallon of water per adult for a two-hour hike. It’s better too have too much than not enough.

-- High-energy snack mix.

Sweetened, dried cranberries are suggested instead of too much chocolate that can give a hiker an energy rush before zapping energy; hikers want their energy levels to remain constant.

A few salted crackers can be snacked on to replenish your sweat loss.

-- Maps.

Typically trailheads will provide maps, or hikers can do research on their hiking trip before they go and take along the information.

-- Sunscreen and bug repellent.

Applying products of your choice will keep you from burning and getting bit.

Additional tips:

-- Tuck hem of pants into socks during peak wood tick season (mid-May through mid-July).

Conduct a tick check at the end of your hike.

-- Don’t be in a hurry.

It’s all about exploration and what you can find.