Enjoy the last, fleeting, luscious days of the season with these Seize the Last of Summer activity highlights. The first day of autumn is not until September 23— so get out there and savor every sweet lingering moment!
Nurturing wonder
On September 6 from noon-3pm, The Monarch Butterfly Festival at Maumee Bay State Park provides an exquisite moment of rapt wonder, as you offer the palm of your hand as a launching point for a monarch to begin its long journey south to Mexico for the winter. A free presentation on protecting and nurturing butterflies begins at noon at the Trautman Nature Center with the butterfly release at 1pm from the gazebo. Children’s craft projects offered 1-3pm ($3 fee for craft materials). Stroll the scenic marshland Boardwalk Trail (handicap/wheelchair accessible).
For info on all festival activities call 419-836-9117.
Visit parks.ohiodnr.gov/maumeebay for park info.
MBSP, 1400 State Park Rd., Oregon.
Universal awe
No summer is complete without looking upward into the night sky to view and feeling a sense of encompassing vastness with the beauty of the universe. Join the Toledo Astronomical Association members as they share knowledge and enthusiasm at their next free public viewing at Beaver Creek, 23028 Long Judson Rd in Grand Rapids, OH (woodcountyparkdistrict.org) on September 12 at 8pm (weather permitting). With less ambient light pollution and a large, powerful telescope mounted on a viewing platform, this is one of the best places to see the magnificent details of the swirling Milky Way, the thousands of stars in the M13 globular cluster, the moon and the planets. Visit toledoastronomy.org for dates, viewing sites (May-October) and monthly meetings/public presentations.
Enjoy the stars anywhere by downloading Sky Safari to your phone— just hold it up to display a labeled sky map of everything around you.
Speedy fun
The 1,000-foot concrete course at Alexis Go Karts is a favorite of mine— especially after dark. The variety of banked turns, curves, and elevation changes will feed your inner adrenaline/competitive speedster. To enjoy some smooth coasting, head to the outside lanes as you approach the bridge and travel through the underpass, then quickly accelerate up the hill. For a thrill, stay in the inside lanes and hug the upcoming tight corners as the road dips and rises.
$6.50 per driver (must be at least 58 inches tall) and $2 for passengers.
Also on site: 18 hole putting courses, arcade games, bumper cars and batting cages.
Par 2 Golf Course/Go Karts are open 9am-11pm daily through Labor Day and then weekends through October.
210 E. Alexis Rd.
419-478-4477 | par2golf.com
