Enjoying the Great Outdoors

The air is brisk and it’s sweater weather. City-dwellers often are tempted to spend the colder months cuddled up inside with warm drinks, hot soup, blankets and books … and all of these things are delightful. However, it’s easy to miss out on the grandeur and beauty of the great outdoors this time of year if we don’t make a point to get outside. Fortunately, many great local sites are just a short drive or day trip away and offer terrific cold weather adventures.

A Bountiful Harvest: Powell Gardens

Powell Gardens in Kingsville, MO (about 20 minutes east of Lee’s Summit), is a beautiful botanical garden that happens to be open year-round. The Heartland Harvest Garden, where everything is edible, is one of the best-loved attractions at the site, and on Nov. 3 Powell Gardens is giving a “Thanksgiving from the Garden” tour. The tour is included with admission and provides inspiration to incorporate new varieties of seeds, nuts, vegetables and other edible plants into your Thanksgiving dinner plan. You’ll even learn about edible flowers on this tour and how to include these ideas in your cooking.

Throughout the winter, the indoor conservatory displays feature a variety of plants, and the outdoor gardens become a winter oasis. From Nov. 29 through Jan. 5 (Thu.-Sun. evenings), visitors are invited to the Festival of Lights. This year’s display theme is Luminosity, featuring a dazzling display of colored lights along a mile-long walking path through the Heartland Harvest Garden. Free children’s activities, including an ornament station, are included with admission. With roaming carolers (on select evenings), hot cocoa and treats, this holiday tradition is a favorite.

America’s National Mammal, the Bison: Prairie Park State Park

The bison is iconically American. The animal played an important role in the lives of Native Americans and it roamed the plains and prairies of Missouri and Kansas for thousands of years. In Missouri, bison still find a home at Prairie State Park in Mindenmines (about an hour north of Joplin, MoStateParks.com/park/prairie-state-park). Scenic trails and picnic spots are found throughout the park with beautiful tallgrass prairies. On Nov. 2, celebrate National Bison Day at the park with two special hikes (10:00 and 1:00). Visitors are invited to take a guided hike, photograph bison and enjoy the autumn prairie. You may visit the park year-round.

America’s National Emblem, the Bald Eagle: Loess Bluffs

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge (north on I-29 near Mound City, MO, FWS.gov/refuge/loess_bluffs) is a 7,440-acre scenic wildlife preserve consisting of wetlands, grasslands and, most notably, a breeding ground for migratory birds and wildlife. The beautiful and unique hills offer remarkable views of rocks, geologic features and native plants and prairie. The hallmark of the refuge, however, is its role in the migration of the American bald eagle. The birds are known to migrate to the refuge in late fall and early winter, making this a wonderful day trip for families to enjoy a bit of nature this month or next. Throughout the season, you’re likely to see several hundred bald eagles, and some golden eagles, at the site. Some eagles spend winter and summer at there.  Visitors may enjoy bird watching and exploring throughout the year, but November and December are especially wonderful for eagle watching. This year, mark your calendar for the annual Eagle Days on Dec. 7 and 8. The free event includes live eagle shows, staffed spotting scope stations, guided bus tours, exhibits, activities, videos and more.

Wild Turkeys: Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area

Legend has it that Benjamin Franklin believed the turkey should be America’s national bird. Although he never actually proposed using the turkey as the symbol of freedom, he did defend it as “a more respectable bird, and withal a true original Native of America.” It’s not our national symbol, but the turkey is the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving meals. You can visit wild turkeys at one of the best local nature centers and conservation areas in the metro, Burr Oak Woods (Nature.MDC.mo.gov), located in Blue Springs. The 1,071-acre property includes a variety of nature trails for every ability and skill level, as well as the first nature center in Missouri. Walking or hiking the trails allows visitors to watch wildlife and explore limestone boulders, restored prairies and woodlands, and outdoor play spaces where children learn more about nature. The center includes hands-on exhibits for children, an aquarium with native fish, and wildlife and bird watching areas. Guests at the center enjoy watching the wild turkeys that roam the property, including the bird watching land around the center. Every month, the center hosts free workshops and programs for children and families to learn more about local conservation.

Outdoor Stories: Ernie Miller Nature Center

Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe offers beautiful paved trails to enjoy fall foliage and wildlife, as well as a small nature center with animals and exhibits. The center regularly hosts classes and storytime events for young children, but they especially celebrate the art of storytelling with their Tellebration event in November. On Nov. 16, visitors are invited to celebrate the International Day of Storytelling with nature stories starring live animals and including themes of environmental awareness and ancient myths. Learn more about this event and other Johnson County Parks and Rec events at JCPRD.com.

Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland: Overland Park Arboretum

The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are open year-round with walking trails through picturesque gardens that always offer something new to see. Although the gardens are always a fun family outing, a favorite tradition for many local families is the annual Holiday Luminary Walk (ArtsAndRec-OP.org). This year’s event will be held weekends Nov. 29-Dec. 14. Visitors walk through woods and gardens over a mile of candlelit pathways, enjoying music and holiday lights. The most whimsical features of the event are the gnome and fairy villages, the colorful Children’s Garden and visits with Santa. The perfect finale for the evening is a mug of hot Louisburg cider around the campfire and a horse-drawn wagon ride. Reservations are required for this event, and discounts are offered for garden members and First National Bank customers.

Kristina Light and her girls enjoy outdoor activities year round.