Between the Bars

Get Out: Earth Day in Milwaukee

I don't know about you, but I have a special place in my heart for Earth Day. Perhaps it's because the environmental movement's roots are here.

After all, the founder of Earth Day was Wisconsin's past U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. Now, 42 years after the first Earth Day, the tradition of helping and communing with Mother Nature continues.

Worldwide, hundreds of countries will stage events to commemorate the annual eco-celebration on April 22. But, there are many opportunities locally to participate in the global event.

Wehr Nature Center

One of my favorite things in life is the first taste of summer weather. And in Wisconsin, we wait a LONG time for that first lick of sun and warmth. So, when I woke up to a gorgeous 80-degree day, I was ecstatic and couldn’t wait to get outside to enjoy it.

After a few quick errands, Eric and I made our way to Wehr Nature Center, located in Whitnall Park, to enjoy the summery afternoon and explore 200 acres of southeastern Wisconsin’s natural best.

At Wehr Nature Center you have the option of taking a self-guided tour or participating in one of Wehr’s many programs led by their staff of naturalists. Eric and I opted for the self-guided tour and grabbed a trail map from the visitor’s center before we ventured out.

  

Besides maps, there are wooden posts that act as landmarks along the trails and are labeled with a graphic – a tree, cattail, footprint, and so on – that represent each individual trail loop. Also scattered throughout the Nature Center are signs that explain the habitats and the flora and fauna found along the trails.

Economic family fun at the zoo

When a recession hits, one of the first things families sacrifice is their entertainment budget. This means pulling the curtain on movie nights, dropping big-ticket sports events and scrapping dinners out. And while this saves money, it also means that you’re kids will grow up to hate you.

I’m kidding.

In all honestly, though, no ching means no fun and no fun means the loss of a lot of valuable family time. But, you shouldn’t let a bare-bones budget put a damper on your fun, especially during these stressful times. Thankfully, the Milwaukee County Zoo offers a fun stimulus package for you and your entire family.

The first Saturday of every month from November to April (excluding May through October) is Family Free Day at the Zoo, which means that all visitors – parents, kids, relatives, EVERYONE – receive free admission. Now, you’ll be able to have an eventful day without worrying about the financial backlash when bills are due.

Because I love the Zoo (and obviously my family), I decided to take advantage of the sunny spring afternoon and a free animal-filled outing with my parents and siblings.

While I waited for everyone to arrive, I got a little nostalgic, reminiscing about my fascination with animals and my childhood trips to the County Zoo. As a kid I loved the penguins and Monkey Island, and riding the cho-cho train. My mom would pack PB&J sandwiches, graham crackers and juice boxes, and then cart all of us to the Zoo to spend an entire day with the animals.

Although I have many fond memories from all of my past trips to the Zoo, returning on Saturday, however, made me realize that as an adult without kids, the Zoo certainly doesn’t evoke the same feelings of excitement as it did when I was in grade school. It’s still a fun time, nonetheless.

Once my family arrived, we made our way out to the Milwaukee-Wauwatosa County boarder and found parking on one of the side streets (even though admission is free, you still have to pay to park in the lot). After gathering up our things, we entered the Zoo through the brand new front entrance, the U.S. Bank Gathering Place, which doubles as a mall and atrium with two renovated gift shops, an upscale coffee shop that serves Alterra coffee, concession stands that offer everything from burgers to pasta to salads, and lounge areas where folks can map out their day.

Here we took a moment to scan the new electronic information signs that run announcements, event listings, attraction hours and animal news. We also stopped for a minute to mull over the animal photos taken by longtime Zoological Society photographer Richard Brodzeller, which are prominently displayed in the atrium.

Harvest Fair: Fun for the kids

Some of my fondest memories come from fall. As a kid I loved picking out pumpkins and carving them with my family, making Halloween decorations with my sibs, and helping my mom ice bat and ghost-shaped sugar cookies.

That’s why my visit to Harvest Fair a few weeks ago was like a trip back to my childhood.

For one weekend, Wisconsin State Fair Park was jam-packed with Halloween and harvest-themed crafts and activities. From hay rides and cookies decorating to pumpkin picking, it made me feel like a kid again.

Saturday was the perfect autumn day – the sun was shining, the sky was a clear shade of blue, and the air was crisp and filled with the scent of burning leaves (my favorite smell).

After running errands all morning with Terry, we decided to stop by State Fair Park since the prospect of an entertaining afternoon beckoned us. Even though parking was only $5, Terry and I opted to park on a backroad. We immediately found a spot on 76th Street and went into the Fairgrounds from Gate 6 by the Petit Center.