The Dana Pride is a nice wide boat with plenty of room for spectating. We reserved our place by calling and putting our names on the list. Then we checked in a half hour before it was time to leave and got in line to board.

We decided to stand the whole time and picked a spot along the starboard (right) rail for a view of the harbor going out. We came upon a whale footprint almost immediately. See the slick spot in the water?

We trailed along with this slow gray whale that stayed just under the surface. Our captain told us about how this is called “snorkeling.” There was hardly a vapor plume when the whale came up for a breath and all we could see was the rostrum and the barnacles on its back. Apparently, a gray whale is the only whale with barnacles and the larvae are passed to calves at birth. No harm comes to the whale from the barnacles.

This was the only whale we spotted on our trip. We headed out to meet up with some playful bottlenose dolphins.

My daughter’s favorite part was when we headed back in and the whole dolphin pod surfed our wake! Very entertaining!

Tips:

• -The earlier you go in the day, the calmer it will be.
• -Bring jackets – it may be 80 degrees on shore, but once you get out on the ocean it can be considerably cooler. We dressed in layers.
• -Bring a camera and/or binoculars.
• -Wear sunscreen since there’s an extra chance of sunburn from the reflection on the water.
• -The boat rides really well and takes the swell without much bounce. It didn’t feel “rocky” to me at all. My daughter didn’t get seasick!

Visit Dana Wharf’s website and follow them on Facebook where they have fun updates of what they are seeing out there. Dana Point’s Festival of Whales is coming up the first and second weekends in March (www.festivalofwhales.com).

The author received two complimentary tickets for the trip and paid for 2 tickets herself.

Michele Whiteaker promotes play on her #1 Unofficial Online Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in Orange County: FunOrangeCountyParks.com.

Join the Irvine Ranch Conservancy on a fun filled adventure to discover the unique ways animals and birds in Round Canyon adapt their life cycle to the changing seasons. Families will take a short and easy nature walk, stopping several times to make fun nature sounds and wiggle like a real Round Canyon resident! Be ready for their fun outdoor adventure by wearing comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Off-road strollers are welcome!

This program is perfect for the whole family, including off-road strollers! Parents and children will have an opportunity to take a little stroll through Round Canyon, nothing too challenging for little ones. While exploring the canyon, kids will discover what life is like for Acorn Woodpeckers, how the rain affects life in the canyon, and how flowers grow up nice and strong! In addition to hiking, children will create a fun craft to take home and enjoy! This program is geared for kids ages 3 – 6 years of age, but wee little ones are welcome as well. All children need to be accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Wednesday, February 15th 10:00am to 11:30am Round Canyon

Thursday, March 15th 10:00am to 11:30am Round Canyon

You must register for the event, but it’s FREE. The Conservancy plans to offer this as a series, keeping Sounds of the Season but rolling through Winter to Spring, Spring to Summer, Summer to Fall and ending the year with Fall to Winter — so keep your eyes on the IRLandmarks.org website.

Fullerton Arboretum has community gardens to see, along with fruit-bearing trees and hidden paths.

Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar is very small, but their Discovery Garden is a highlight for kids to smell and touch plants.

Orange County Great Park Farm and Food Lab offers free classes from Master Gardeners. Go on a Sunday between 10am and 2pm and you can catch the Farmer’s Market and food trucks, too.

Centennial Farms in Costa Mesa has lots of animals, but how about the farm? It’s set up in a whimsical way where kids can learn their vegetables and see what they look like on the plant.

What to Do:

• *Lay out any rules before you even go in. We use “eyes only” to prevent any picking from the gardens.
• *Let your child take the lead. Where do they want to go? What do they want to see? Let them go at their own pace and show you around.
• *Don’t forget to look up into the trees. Look at things from close-up and from far away.
• *Make sure you have plenty of time to explore so you don’t feel rushed.
• *Make your garden trip a “color walk” and have your child point out all the colors they see. We even did this at the Getty Center gardens up in LA. You can photograph them and make a special book of your day.

Michele Whiteaker promotes outdoor play on her #1 Unofficial Online Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in Orange County.

I wanted to sign up right away!! The good news is that Earthroots is offering even more community and family programs. There’s a very special campout opportunity coming up February 3rd through 5th.

Friday: Arrive at or after 2:00pm to set up camp and explore the land. There will be a simple potluck for dinner Friday 5:00pm (bring a homemade soup or homemade bread) followed by a puppet show for the little ones. Teens & adventurous parents will explore their nocturnal senses on a night hike without flashlights, guided by Earthroots Instructors. Evening campfires bring everyone together for music and food. Saturday and Sunday will include making your own fire by friction tools, exploring the land and practicing survival skills.

Come for all the camping — or you even have the reduced price option to just participate in all the day/evening activities and sleep at home.

Earthroots Family Campout: February 3 – 5
February 3, 2:00 PM- February 5, 12:00 PM
Silverado Canyon

Each family brings:

• – their own camping gear
• – warm clothing in layers
• – flashlights, chairs
• – potluck soup & bread for dinner
• – breakfast
• – snacks for Sunday
• – serving utensils and plates/bowls for the family
• ** There is no trash service at Big Oak Canyon, so please bring non-disposable dish ware and be prepared to pack out your trash & recycling.

Earthroots will provide:

• – stoves
• – water
• – firewood
• – dish washing station for your cups, plates & utensils
• – fire by friction activity, acorn gathering & nature walks led by Earthroots instructors: Evan Brown, Jeannie Lee, Jodi Levine and Caroline Colesworthy

The cost is really reasonable for an entire weekend of outdoor activities with your whole family. Check out the Earthroots website for more details and enrollment instructions.

Michele Whiteaker promotes outdoor play on her #1 Unofficial Online Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in Orange County — FunOrangeCountyParks.com.

Photos courtesy of EarthrootsFieldSchool.org.

Years of budget reductions to California state parks have forced partial closures and severe service reductions across the 278-unit park system. Cuts enacted in the Fiscal Year 2011-12 state budget include an $11 million cut that was increased to a $22 million cut starting in Fiscal Year 2012-13 and will continue through future budget years.

These cuts enacted by Gov. Brown and the Legislature are forcing the state to close 70 out of 278 California state parks by July 1, 2012, at the height of the summer season. Additionally, his 2012-13 state budget could eliminate all seasonal lifeguards and 20 percent of ranger positions in state parks, if Californians don’t pass the governor’s proposed revenue package slated for the November ballot.

Don’t like this reality? Then, DO something!

Defend What’s Yours is asking Californians to get involved by visiting calparks.org/defend and following these simple steps:
• Be a Defender
• Spread the word
• Volunteer in parks
• Join CSPF to support solutions to keep parks open

Michele Whiteaker promotes play on the #1 Unofficial Online Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in Orange County (FunOrangeCountyParks.com). She keeps track of all the issues surrounding the California State Park closures on her “State Parks Matter” resource page.

Whether you are on a walk or sitting on a bench, start by scanning your general surroundings.

#1 – Look for color

Most things in your Southern California environment will be brown and green right now. Do you think you could spot a Snowy Egret (black bill and yellow feet) or Great Egret (yellow bill and black feet)?

Easy, huh? Those guys really stand out!

#2 – Look for movement and listen for sounds

As I’m scanning, I’m looking for something that moves and listening in the bushes for sounds. Do you see anything?

Luckily, this guy moved and I spotted him.

It’s a Black-crowned Night Heron.

And you may even see a bird of prey hunting. First they glide over vacant lots, streams and ponds or other open space. Then they do a classic flapping motion before dropping in to get their prey.

#3 – Look for shapes where they don’t belong

Round shapes don’t belong in spiky trees. I can almost always spot nests and “round” birds by scanning trees for some shape that doesn’t fit.

Being excellent at spotting doesn’t mean I’m any good at identification, but there are books and rangers to help me with that! I hope this inspires you to go for a walk or find a bench to see what you can see! We are especially lucky to have this beautiful January weather to go out and explore.

Michele Whiteaker promotes outdoor play on the #1 Unofficial Online Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in Orange County: FunOrangeCountyParks.com.

Maybe because I remember the day?

The kids led me on an exploration of Cedar Grove Park in Tustin around the time the sun was setting. It’s their favorite park. On the back path, beyond the cedar grove, we found these daisies standing out against the green carpet of grass. They posed for me. Lined up all brightly and hopeful. It was almost like they were saying “Pick me! Pick me!” Of course, we didn’t pick any of them.

We just played and adventured on the edges and through all the playgrounds. It was a lazy, imaginative day.

Over by the playground the daisies danced in the wind.

I’m feeling brightly and hopeful about 2012.

I have big outdoor wishes for you and your kids:

• *I hope you discover your own magical corner of nature.
• *I hope you let your kids lead the way.
• *I hope you listen and feel and let go — the way you should on your outdoor adventures.
• *I hope you find joy . . . outside.
• *I hope you make time for free time.

Michele Whiteaker promotes play on the #1 Unofficial Online Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in Orange County: FunOrangeCountyParks.com.

Even if you don’t play on Twitter, you can follow along by going to:
http://search.twitter.com and entering #XmasBoxChallenge into the search box or look up @balmeras.

Here’s some inspiration!

You can just walk around with a box with a special destination in mind (Ask Yourself “Why Not?”)

You can make a restaurant or sign post (Unstructured Play with Cardboard Boxes).

You can make some boats or planes (Cardboard Magic).

Or you can just draw on it!

Whatever you do, enjoy some down time with your family.

I might just pile a box with pillows and blankets, crawl into the box, and take a nap! Doesn’t that sound cozy?

Photo credit: Cardboard Magic photos courtesy of Dara Bertagni.

Michele Whiteaker promotes play on the #1 Unofficial Online Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in O.C.: FunOrangeCountyParks.com Playbook.

We had extended family in town this weekend. So we ate out more than usual. The reality really sunk in. Every kid I saw was plugged in at mealtime and not interacting with their parents. That was just staggering to me and a bit disheartening. I especially look forward to mealtimes — even at restaurants — because I get to talk to my kids and interact with them. They are generally sitting still and eager to share. There’s laughter and stories and even concerns that come up in conversation at our family dinners.

However, I’ve learned not to judge. Every family makes their own choice and has their own reasons. How can I know what kind of day they had or life they live? Maybe restaurants are the only time the kids get to play? So, let’s just say, I’m feeling an overall disappointment lately to see glowing faces and blank stares from most of the kids I see in public. Until yesterday . . .

The double rainbow hit right as school was letting out and my faith in the power of nature was renewed. All around me, in every car, families could not keep their eyes off the beautiful colors on our gray California day. Kids were antsy and animated. Parents were pointing and talking to their kids. Even adults driving alone in their cars all looked UP. Those glowy-looking-down-faces, looked up!! Ah, the power of rainbows.

The power of sunsets . . .

The power of . . .

Michele Whiteaker promotes play on her blog: FunOrangeCountyParks Playbook: The #1 Unofficial Online Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in O.C.

Okay, I know this happens rarely, if at all. Do you have a plan when it does??? You MUST have a plan!! (Target doesn’t count.)

Playtime for mommies is ever-elusive QUIET time. I generally like to go to the beach, but here are my very special and secret places of solace and quietude. I’m giving them away as a gift.

My only request: If I happen to arrive and you’ve taken my seat, can you scoot over and make some room? I promise not to say a word.

Heisler Park in Laguna Beach

Nix Nature Center in Laguna Canyon

Corona Del Mar Beach (benches)

Strands

Michele Whiteaker promotes play on her #1 unofficial online guide to parks and playgrounds in O.C. — FunOrangeCountyParks.com.