Walking With Kids Mt Tomah Botanical Gardens

2018 Walking Group Adventures

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In 2018, the Walking With Kids Family Walking Group, made up of literally, our family, was born.  Here is a quick look at our walking year.  

Walking With Kids Family Nature Club and Walking Group
It all started with our first walk at Cumberland State Forest in February 2018. The older kids braved the Treetops ziplines while the younger kids joined us later for a walk through parts of the arboretum pine groves.
Centennial Park Wild Play Gardens Walking With Kids
In March, we headed to the Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden. The kids balanced on logs, made a shelter out of sticks, and splashed about at the water play area.
Sierra Blooms Floral Design walking with kids
In April, Jess and Pat of Sierra Blooms Floral Design shared their floral insights as we walked around Mt Tomah Botanical Gardens.
Waterfall Track Mt Wilson.
In May, we headed to the Waterfall Track in Mt Wilson. The waterfall was dry but the kids still had fun listening to their grandma talk about her own walks when she was a little girl.
Sierra Blooms Floral Design walking with kids
In June, we headed to the Jellybean Pools. The water was freezing to swim in but was perfect for mud play and impromptu sandstone art with Uncle Pat.
Providential Lookout Track walking with kids
In July, we headed to the Providential Lookout Track at the Royal National Park to catch a glimpse of the annual whale migration. We spotted six whales, a couple of which swam really close to the cliffs.
Gadyan Track Walking With Kids
In August, the kids blitzed the Gadyan Track in 30 minutes, leaving the 15 adults considering a second walk around the 750-metre loop.
Andrew at the Cathedral of Ferns walking with kids
Andrew couldn't help but hug the moss-covered towering trees of the Cathedral of Ferns Track in October. Some got goosebumps walking amongst ancient trees...
We ended the walking group year with a swim at the Jellybean Pools, finally warm enough in November. We reached a walking milestone for our four-year old walkers who walked the short track (bribed with a chocolate treat).

Thank you to Mia and Roda for the reconnaissance trips throughout the year. You are both wonderful role models for the kids and you bring the best snacks. 

Berowra Waters Scramble with kids
We managed to pull off our first girls only walking and camping trip at Berowra Waters. Miss 5 had her share of climbing, scrambling, and squeezing through boulders before learning life skills from Mia like setting up a tent and starting a fire.
We spent a few weekends in winter with Roda scouting for Blue Mountains water holes. We'll continue our search in the cooler months of 2019 so we don't disturb the snakes cooling down at the water holes this summer.

Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends who went on the walks this year. We really appreciate the gifts you provided to everyone in each walk: your time, your presence, your stories, and of course, your shared yummy post-walk snacks.  We hope to see you again in 2019 for more family walks and adventures!

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