Weekend events!

Snow Day & BBQ!  Whaley Park
5620 Atherton, Long Beach
Saturday, February 4, 11am-3pm
Free community event presented by LB Parks
Play area, sled runs, bouncers

Third Annual Western Monarch Butterfly Day
Fountain Valley
Saturday, February 4, 10am-2pm
Children and families can learn everything about the California Western Monarch Butterfly and its habitat with an up-close look at the magnificent creatures while they flutter through the Butterfly Garden and inside a netted butterfly enclosure in the park’s Camp Sycamore. Children can help the Butterfly Garden continue to grow by planting native plants in the garden to attract Monarch Butterflies. More than 140 plants will be available for planting on February 4th. Butterfly experts will also be on-site to provide educational information and answer questions about the beautiful and unique specimens. Additional event activities include children’s crafts, face painting, guided nature walks through Mile Square Regional Park’s nature area. Each child in attendance will receive native seeds as a take away to continue to help build safe habitats for Monarch Butterflies and other creatures.

Event Fee: Event is free
Parking Fee: $5 per vehicle
Age: Recommended for ages 4 to 12

Mile Square Regional Park
16801 Euclid
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714)973-6600 or (714)973-3197
http://ocparks.com/milesquare/default.asp?Show=events_2&SubShow

Snow has to fall!

I know it's been pretty warm in these parts, but it has to rain sometime and if it rains down here in the LA basin, that means there's snow in the mountains.

I'm not sure if we will be able to rent a cabin this year, but I'm starting to make plans for a day trip.  I never know where to go just for the day in Big Bear.  We are not skiers or intense sledders, so Snow Summit or Alpine Slide are not the best places for us.  We just want to find a pile of snow to play in -- is that so hard?  Sometimes it is, if you don't know where to go.  But I've dug up some info for when the rain & snow begins to fall.

First of all, go to Big Bear on Hwy 38.  This is the "back way" and is not so winding.  Check out Whispering Pines Nature Trail just past Angelus Oaks.  There is parking and plenty of room for snow play.  You can also park alongside the road. 

We haven't checked out this spot, yet, but it sounds wonderful!

Snow Play Haven At Idyllwild Nature Center
25225 Highway 243 1/2 mile North of the Town of Idyllwild

February 18-20, 2012 Bring your sleds, snow shoes, snowboards and kids for a Great Presidents Day Weekend of snow play!
The Nature Center will be open all three days for families to take advantage of the three day holiday. Inside the center we keep the fire burning for defrosting hands and feet! Coffee, cocoa & snacks are available in our store to help with warming up. Call the Center for updates on our winter wonderland!
(951) 659-3850
Hours 9:00am – 4:30pm
Day Use Fees: Adults-$3, 11 & under-$2.00, Dogs-$1.00