Perfect Time For WACF’s Falltastic Trail Walk
Kasyn Engle has a surprise expression at what he sees ahead on the trail, while brother Kolsyn just smiles.
Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Falltastic Trail Walk continues today, Sunday, Oct. 8, starting at noon.
The weather Saturday, Oct. 7, was perfect for an afternoon of walking the trails on the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation property for its annual Falltastic trail walk.
While there appeared to be a slow start of walkers Saturday, it soon picked up when temperatures began to climb into the mid-50s with a steady stream of people until 4 p.m.
Many participated in the scavenger hunt. Kids and adults had fun creating a pine cone spider, or a pine cone bat.
While walking two miles of the trails, which were decorated for the season, youngsters enjoyed finding the various Halloween displays and were anxious to see what they would find next.
Oliver, a pomeranian, was ready for his walk on the trails, with his blue jean jacket.
There are fun facts posted along the trails about water quality and how animals prepare for winter.
The fall decorations also provided an opportunity for family portraits.
A special feature of Saturday’s event was an opportunity to learn how to identify trees and leaves. A large group of persons arrived to participate in a guided walk with Dr. Nate Bosch, director of Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, and Heather Harwood, WACF executive director, to learn how to “read” the woods.
The fireplace was lit at Ruddell Pavilion where you could warm up, or take a break between heading out to a different trail.
So if plans just didn’t work out Saturday, there’s an opportunity today, Sunday, Oct. 8, to head out to WACF and join the fun and fall weather. The walk continues from noon to 4 p.m
This is a family-oriented event and kids are welcome to come in costumes. Even the family dog is welcome to come and walk the trails with owners, as long as the furry pet is on a leash.
Refreshments will be offered at the Ruddell Pavilion for both humans and dogs.
Guests are asked to register at the pavilion (because numbers count), and enjoy the beauty of the fall season and the refreshments.
The WACF is located on SR 13, just south of Syracuse.
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- Denise and Mary Long brought Ember along for the walk.
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- Kolsyn Engle gets a magnified look at an acorn.
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- Cindy Peterson helps Phoenix create her bat.
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- Phoenix Day shows the finished pine cone spider.
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- Phoenix Day works on creating a pine cone spider.
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- Kolsyn Engle takes a close look at his pine cone bat.
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- Just one of the many fall decorations along the trails that made perfect settings for family portratis.
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- Kasyn and Kolsyn are excited about the decorations.
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- Heading into the woods on one of the trails.
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- Adventurers gather outside Ruddell Pavilion as they listed to Heather Harwood, executive director of WACF and Dr. Nate Bosch, director of the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, before starting their walk to “read” the woods.
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- Taylor and Cole Warner took the opportunity to introduce Birdie to her first Falltastic. Birdie, cuddled next to her mother, is 8 weeks old.
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- This former resident of the woods returned to welcome walkers to his habitat.
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- The WACF Falltastic trail walk is perfect for a family outing. Shown is Kasyn and Kolson Engle leading their family on one of the trails. Shown in back are Gatlyn Eagle, Jimmy Eagle, while bringing up the back of the group is Shane Hulley, Molly Eagle and Lori Thomas.