Bethypoo’s First Real Hike: Helen Putnam Regional Park
A cautious Bethypoo on the trail, hoping to avoid any slips or falls.
Learning from our last hike attempt at Mount Saint Helena, I ditched the BOB jogging stroller and took Bethypoo to Helen Putnam Regional Park, a 216-acre preserve located just outside Petaluma. This park is an absolute treasure, with its rolling hills, multi-use trails, a small pond, and best of all, the short drive from our residence to get there.
A $7 fee is required for parking at the main lot, but the $60 annual pass will more than pay for itself. It is possible to bypass the fee by parking in the neighborhoods surrounding the park, but I’d like to do my part to ensure this park stays open, and I hope others will too!
Only sour note for this otherwise awesome morning was the stale bagel from Peet’s Coffee, in downtown Petaluma. I wasn’t sure if the bagel was supposed to be that hard, but the baristas seemed to be busy and I wasn’t going to bother them.
Bethypoo and I recommend this place to anyone in the immediate area interested in a stroll through picturesque, rolling hills, and we hope some of the following snapshots will encourage you to check this place out!
Tick Check! Bethypoo was ready.
Impossible, I think, for a tick to hide with this setup!
A paved trail runs through the park, perfect for jogging strollers.
Be sure to heed this sign! And please…pick up after your dog.
Bethypoo’s first incline. Before proceeding, she stopped, stared at me for a second, then took off!
Hydration is key.
The small pond, stocked with fish for anyone interested in fishing with their little ones.
A quick break to admire the pond.
A fly or wasp landed on her shoulder, but flew off before I could intervene.
Setting off on the Ridge Trail.
A quick stop for dandelion-pulling.
After tossing the dandelion aside, Bethypoo continued on!
An old barn just outside the boundary of the park.
Judging by her unwillingness to get back into the car seat, Bethypoo had a great time.
Father Jogger: A North Bay Stay-At-Home Dad 
Leave a Reply