Exploring the Environmental Nature Center

Sometimes adventure can be in your own backyard, or in this case your neighborhood, and you didn't even know it. Getting outside is easier than you think - you just need to know where to look.

One of the things on our summer to-do list was visiting the Environmental Nature Center (ENC). We are lucky enough to live about 10 minutes from the ENC and always have fun exploring the grounds.

The ENC covers a little over five acres and has a combination of 15 native California plant communities, wildlife habitats, and walking trails. You can easily spend 2-3 hours exploring the trails. From the desert to the redwoods to the marsh, you never know what you will find.

As beautiful as everything is, don't get so lost in the trees that you forget to take a closer look. We found this little guy soaking up the sunshine near the meadow. Yes, the ENC even has a meadow!

In my opinion, the ENC is like a sanctuary - it is the perfect escape from the daily grind when you need a good dose of nature.

Dylan and I spent most of the afternoon walking the trails and exploring. Since he has attended nature camp here for several years, he knows the area well. He enjoys being the guide and letting me know where the spiders nest, where the wasps are, and of course where the poison oak is along the path. Armed with sunscreen, walking shoes and my camera, I was more than happy to follow Dylan's lead.

The ENC is more than just walking trails - It is a world filled with the simple beauty of flora.

Oh, and while your walking, don't forget to look up. 

The ENC is home to lots of little critters too!

For more information on the ENC, visit www.encenter.org and to see more of our adventures, you can view our Exploring the ENC album on Flickr.