Find the fun outdoors

National Play Outside Day started in April 2011 as a simple way to encourage friends and families to enjoy outdoor spaces together. The event takes place the first Saturday of every month and provides inspiration to prioritize outdoor recreation and make play a habit.

Although specific activities aren’t typically scheduled in observance of the day, Washoe Lake State Park is getting in the spirit by hosting some family-friendly activities 10-11 a.m. Saturday. (parks.nv.gov/events/july-national-play-outside-day).

Visitors can drive to the park at 4855 Eastlake Blvd., in Washoe Valley. Once there, go to the maze parking lot to pick up park passports, stickers, Junior Ranger booklets, and more. There will be stations for games and crafts, a frisbee golf course, children’s play area, and access to a hiking trail that leads to the beach.

Cost is $5 per vehicle for Nevada residents and $10 per vehicle for non-Nevada residents. All other activities are free.

The Douglas County Public Library has two State Parks Day-Use Passes available on a first-come, first-served basis. All that’s needed to check out a pass is a library card. The library is located at 1625 Library Lane in Minden. Please note the library will be closed on  Friday in observance of Independence Day and reopen at 10 a.m. Saturday

Even if you can’t make it to Washoe Lake State Park this weekend, Carson Valley offers plenty of accessible, outside opportunities all the time. Some ideas are to visit one of our lovely local parks, take a stroll along the Martin Slough Trail, plant some flowers, arrange a neighborhood game of hide-and-seek, go for a bike ride, play a round of golf, take a camera and find something interesting to photograph, or set a blanket on the grass and look up at the stars.

Use your imagination to come up with unique ways to reconnect with nature and the ones you love. Science has shown that spending time outdoors does wonders for our overall well-being, so get out there and have some fun.

Speaking of outdoors, the fledglings are flourishing

Since writing about my experience with a fledgling crow several weeks ago, I’ve encountered a fledgling quail in our backyard and a fledgling robin at Lampe Park.

I spotted the fledgling robin hopping in the grass near one of the park’s baseball fields and could hear adult robins calling nearby, likely keeping watch over their young charge. I left the baby bird alone and wished it well.

The baby quail ran across the concrete patio toward my family as we were eating dinner outside a couple of weeks ago. It kept peeping and bumping against our feet, so we moved it to a safer place with more foliage coverage and haven’t seen it again.

We used to have lots of quail roaming the backyard, but it’s been several years since they’ve been around. I hope this recent sighting is a sign of their return.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.