Nature Hike at Sanborn park

I am from suburbs of Mumbai, a hustling and bustling city where you don't have enough time to stop and think about nature. However since past few years there have been efforts to build new parks and recreational areas for people in order to compensate for the new high-rises that decorate the city. When I was a kid my frequent encounter with nature was a beach (Seven Bunglows beach) that was very close to my home. Weather permitted we used to go there over weekends.

After coming to US my ties with nature have strengthened and my urge to know more about our habitat has soared. I want to promote love for nature in my kids and so we have started taking the Nature hikes.

Youth Science Institute conducts science related programs and the "Rashes and Rattlers in Sanborn" was one of them. This program was to make kids and their parents aware of the natural dangers that can be encountered during hikes.

To reach the Sanborn park in Saratoga, you need to take the Highway 9 for about 4-5 miles. The road is winding and uphill, but enjoyable. Here is a picture:

Rattle Snakes : The instructor started by showing the kids the "Gopher snake" because it is non-venomous and is a look-alike of Rattlesnake. She explained that the rattlesnake has a triangular head and it will not go out of its way to attack people. It warns by making the rattling sound with its tail. Can you believe that a rattlesnake bite can cost you 60,000USD to get cured. The instructor allowed kids to touch and explore the snake, however my kids did not touch it, just observed from a distance. She also told us an ancient fable of how the rattlesnake got its rattle.(I am planning to post this story later!).

Poison Oak : Kids(and parents) learnt that poison oak is not really an oak, however it is a plant related to poison ivy. All the parts of the plant produce an oil called urushiol, which causes rashes in human. It might not affect other animals. The berry leaves resemble the poison oak leaves, however the former is prickly or hairy. The poison oak is usually found near an oak tree or wound up around an oak tree. Here is a picture of poison oak:

Ticks : Ticks are arachnids and distantly related to spiders and scorpions. These are usually found on grasses and bushes and can get to humans via pets of if you actually brush against them. If you ever get them on you the best way is to use tweezers to pull them out, making sure you pull out the head which is attached to your body. A tick-bite can cause a rash which looks like a bulls-eye and should be treated immediately.

Newt :We got to see the California Newt in a pond in this park. These are poisonous only if eaten.

We got to see a cicada skin on the trail. The cicada had undergone metamorphosis.

We saw a hollow tree stump and the instructor advised that the kids should not dash in to such hollows as it might be homes to snakes and other dangerous animals. She went in first to check if it was safe for the kids to go in. Then they had few fun minutes to go in and out of the hollow.

Alongwith the nature fun, the kids learnt an important lesson that while on hike they should remain on trail and not wander off to the sides or brush against trees and grasses, pickup sticks or branches or touch unknown trees/plants and stay away from rattlesnakes!

Sanborn park is a great park to visit with kids, the trails are short and kids would enjoy them. Some areas of trail are narrow and you need to be careful. Park entrance fee applies.