For those seeking an adventure in the outdoors that’s close to home, the Ranger-led Nature Walk through the Mercer Slough Nature Park may be the perfect way to get out in the wild.

Led by Assistant Park Ranger Curtis Kukal, the hour-plus walk takes adventure-seekers along trails, where they have the opportunity to learn about the long history of the slough, and the many plants and animals that work together to keep the habitat alive.

Mother and son duo, Tina and Isaias Valdes, stopped by the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center this Saturday to take part in the nature walk. Their goal? To enjoy the rare sunny summer day in Washington.

“It’s the sleepy time of the day,” said Valdes, who lives in the Lake Hills neighborhood of Bellevue. “And it was a great way to get outside.”

Valdes said that while she has been to the Nature Park before, Saturday’s outing was the first time she had taken part in an official program at the educational center. But the promise of learning something new, and the solace of the great outdoors, were not the only things that drew them in.

“I want to see bears,” Isaias said.

Finished in 2008, the education center is a joint operation between the Pacific Science Center of Seattle and the city of Bellevue, where exploring and learning about the environment through educational programs is the focus. In addition to the youth workshops and summer camps run by the Science Center, several programs – including the Nature Walk – are a great way to spend the afternoon with the whole family.

And while there were no bears in sight on Saturday, a number of American Goldfinch, dragonflies – and the Blue Angels – did make their presence known.

“I’m just really happy they do these types of things for kids,” Valdes said, amidst traversing the young forest and picking blueberries.

A wide-eyed Isaias, looking curiously at a flutter in the distance, seemed to agree.

The Ranger-led Nature Walk kicks off at the Visitor Center every Saturday, rain or shine, from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. For more information, check out the center’s website.