A Mother's Day hike and more ways to get outside in Sonoma County

If you're looking for fun in the great outdoors, you'll love this week's events.

TRAIL HIKE, APRIL 29-30

Sonoma: Celebrate Arbor Day with a 3-mile hike with retired botanist Rich Gibson along the Sonoma Overlook Trail in the Montini Open Space Preserve, 198 1st. St. West. Two hikes of moderate difficulty are available: Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. Gibson shares his knowledge about trees and shrubs along the trail. Meet at the trailhead next to the entrance of Mountain Cemetery. Bring water and sunscreen. Call Rich Gibson at 939-0280 for more information.

SWIMMING LESSONS, MAY 7

Rohnert Park: Sonoma County Regional Parks begins offering swimming lessons in English and Spanish at its parks starting Saturday at 9 a.m.-noon at the Bernice Pool, 7469 Bernice Ave. Parents receive water safety training and get a voucher for two weeks of swim lessons at a greatly reduced price. Space is limited, call 565-8034 to register.

WALKING MEDITATION, MAY 7

Glen Ellen: Learn about mindful walking meditation during a 4.5 -mile hike in Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Road. Hike leader and docent Jeff Falconer gives an overview at 10 a.m. of walking meditation that has been used as a healing tool during a 1.5-mile hike to Jack London's lake before you embark on a 3-mile hike, 2-hour hike between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Meet at the Ranch parking lot. Heavy rain cancels the hike. Check the park website at jacklondonpark.com. $10 admission per person arranged in advance online or purchased at the museum and $10 parking fee per car.

CASTLES AND KITES, MAY 7

Bodega Bay: Fly a kite or build a sand castle at Doran Beach between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tools and molds to build a caste are available for loan. Free admission, parking is $7 or free to Sonoma County Regional Parks members. Visit parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov. for event listings and information.

MOTHERS DAY HIKE, MAY 8

Santa Rosa: Land Paths presents a family-oriented outing, The Mother Walk for moms at Rancho Mark West, 7125 St. Helena Road, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Moms commune with each other and nature during the 2-mile guided hike while child caregivers entertain and watch their children and dads in the barn and garden area. Moms, dads and children reunite for a potluck lunch at 12:30 p.m. Bring a simple potluck item that does not require refrigeration. Call 544-7284 and press 1 if it is raining that day. A heavy rain will cancel. Contact outings@LandPaths.org for events information.

Send outdoor event listings to gearhead@pressdemocrat.com at least two weeks in advance.