I find through our travels and educational journeys that I too learn alot along the way. When we began our Landform studies I foolishly assumed most of the central valley was a Plain. Until I found out the only Plain left in the state of California was Carrizo Plains National Monument. Once we arrived we explored using the Junior Explorer Field Guide. This activity book can be picked up at the Goodwin Educational Center or printed from home. I highly recommend printing out the Junior Explorer Field Guide prior to visiting. We were able to complete pages 3, 7, 9 and 10 before we even arrived. This laid a great foundation for what we were going to explore during our visit. Another reason for printing it out ahead of time was The Goodwin Educational Center is located in the Center of the monument and we had half of the book completed before we even arrived.
We woke up before the sunrise to be able to get to Carrizo Plains at first daylight, so we could avoid hiking late in the afternoon during the hottest time of the day. Our drive to Carrizo Plain took about one hour from our hotel in Taft. When researching the Monument we found that there are numerous entry points, some are even shorter drives from other hotels and cities. We choose Taft due to it's proximity to Goodwin Educational Center, the list of services that were provided in town and the level of accommodations available. A majority of what needs to be accomplished to complete the Junior Explorer program takes place on the California Valley side of the Park.
Equipped with our clipboard and binoculars we entered the park on the California Valley side off of Highway 58. Throughout our entire drive Jaxon was kept busy with the Carrizo Plain Checklist. As he searched for wildlife. He even had the excitement of seeing a snake.
Our first Hike was up Overlook Hill to answer the questions from page Five of our Junior Explorer Book. All of the answers were all located on the plaque at the top of the hill. This was a very short, steep 500 foot hike that left from a small dirt parking lot. Overlook Hill gave us the opportunity to see just how large Soda Lake below us really was and our next stop.
Our next stop was Soda Lake Boardwalk Trail which, was located directly across the street from the road we turned on to reach overlook hill. We started by taking a short dirt path to the edge of the lake where a boardwalk begins that runs along the lake. The lizards kept Jaxon entertained the entire walk down the dirt path.
This walk was extremely easy and was under a mile round trip. At anytime during your visit you can complete page twelve as it is a journal entry the children fill out about their experience in the park.
This area gave us the opportunity to see some small wildlife. While walking on the boardwalk we were able to not disturb their habitats. During this stop we completed page six of our Junior Explorer.
We then stopped and took a short walk up to Wallace Creek and the San Andreas Fault. This walk can be made as a short walk to the plaque at the end of a short trail which then gives you the option to connect to other hikes that can last much longer during your visit. We opted for the short walk up to the creek and were able to complete all of page eight during this stop. This concept was very difficult for Jaxon to understand as we had never discussed or studied what an earthquake was. I would highly recommend at least a one day discussion with activities just so they understand more of what they are observing at the fault line.
The last two pages can be completed at The Goodwin Educational Center. The Goodwin Education Center was a great ending to a wonderful day. The Center is only open from December to the end of May. When we arrived they were actually packing up to close for the summer months. Their exhibits were extremely well kept and informational. The Ranger that was there was a wealth of information and interacted with Jaxon. He pulled out a Rattlesnake Rattler, Horns and Antlers showing him and allowing him to touch and ask as many questions as he felt necessary. We ended our visit with Jaxon taking his oath and receiving his Junior Explorer Badge.
We were able to explore the Monument and complete the entire Junior Explorer Field Guide in just one day. The only exception that was Painted Rock. There are only two ways to visit Painted Rock. During the months of July 16 until the end of February you have to obtain a permit to take a self-guided tour of the area. During the months of March 1st until July 15th you have to take a guided tour which you must book ahead of time. Everything for the time we were visiting was completely booked. I was sad that we were unable to do the Painted Rock Tour and I hope to return next year to visit that area of the park.