The Parsons enjoy the trails as a family. From left are Willison, Rachel, Natasha and Maya.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Sunshine and a slight breeze, with temperatures in the low 70s, made it a perfect day to hit the trails at Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, SR 13, Syracuse, for its annual Fall Tastic Trails event, Saturday afternoon.

If you missed today’s event, be sure to make it a point to participate Sunday afternoon from noon to 4 p.m. You won’t want to miss it.

The trails are decorated with hats left behind by witches flying through the trails, pumpkins growing on trees, eyes watching you walk by, skeletons hanging from the tree, and fall decorations scattered throughout, plus a lot more.

Don’t be surprised if you feel you’re being watched while walking the trails during WACF’s Fall Tastic Trail Walk.

Don’t forget to stop and read a variety of informational tidbits on nature, conservation and WACF’s Wawasee Inlet Nutrient Study as you walk the trails. Make sure to pick up a scavenger hunt list to see what you can find.

Once you finish the trails stop by the Ruddell Pavilion to enjoy a cookie and bottled water.

One group that enjoyed the trails was friends who labeled it a girls weekend. The foursome were from Indianapolis, Michigan, and Kentucky who came to see what it was all about. “We’re enjoying it,” said Katie Hollman, with Kenya Cobb and Stacey Wilt adding the trails and scenery were “beautiful. They put a lot of time putting it together,” Hollman and Wilt stated. The fun and efforts by WACF volunteers who handled the decorations could be seen by the event participants..

Just two hours into Saturday’s event saw over 130 adults and kids, along with a number of pets hiking around the conservancy.

Weather for Sunday is to be just as nice, so gather up the family and venture out to WACF’s Levinson-LaBrosse Education Center, south of Syracuse on SR 13. You’ll find its relaxing, educational and exhilarating, plus a great way to spend time as a family and enjoy nature.