We may not be a Christopher Columbus, but we can all be explorers. Although physical endurance is sometimes required, all the everyday explorer really needs is an inquisitive mind, determination and a desire for fun.

Twenty years ago I decided to learn more about nature. Consequently, when our local community offered a one day workshop on bird watching I signed up. I was hooked. I proceeded to take classes about wildflowers and edible wild plants. Despite hours of learning, I still knew very little.

Frank likes mushrooms and we both like hiking. Thus, whenever we went on an adventure nature outing, we would notice an assortment of fungi growing wild. Consequently, I purchased, “A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants” by Lee Peterson. However, even with our book, neither I nor Frank knew for sure which ones were safe to eat. Fortunately, our neighbour Steve did. Upon his suggestion, Frank and I would go hunting wild mushrooms and bring them back to him. While sorting and discarding the inedible ones, Steve explained the difference. Next, he and Frank would fry up the edible ones and have themselves a gourmet treat.

Kaelin, our four year old grandson, has recently become a nature explorer. On Saturday mornings he attends Bug Class. One afternoon, after his class, he and mom came for a visit. Excitedly, he gave us his colourful paper plate creation of a ladybug. When we asked what he learned about them, he replied, “Birds don’t like eating them as they taste bad.”

Further into our nature conversation he asked, “Grandma, do you know why worms come out of the ground when it rains?”

I had to admit I did not know why I found them all over my driveway and sidewalk when it rained. With a huge smile, he said, “because they don’t want to drown”.

We are never too young or too old to become an explorer. This summer, we can all stay on the bright side of life by becoming hooked on nature.

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