Some of our best homeschool days aren’t planned at all.
We joined our local homeschool group for a hike at Davis Creek Regional Park — nestled in Washoe Valley, just a short drive from the shadow of Bowers Mansion. It’s the kind of Nevada landscape that reminds you how wild and beautiful this state really is.
The trail wound alongside Davis Creek, and the girls immediately spotted their first mission: bug hunting. Kristy and Brooke were on their hands and knees within minutes, peering under rocks and into the shallow water, cataloging everything they found. No worksheets required.
But what really stopped us in our tracks were the bears.
The area went through the Davis Fire in 2024, which scorched thousands of acres across Washoe Valley. What could have been a story of loss became something unexpected — local chainsaw artist Tim Torell has been carving the fire-blackened stumps into stunning wildlife sculptures. A momma bear. Her cubs. Each one emerging from a tree that could have been forgotten.
Kristy and Brooke climbed right on. Laughing, posing, completely in awe of what someone’s hands and creativity had made out of something broken.
That’s a lesson you can’t teach from a book.
The afternoon wrapped up the best way possible — with new friends. The homeschool group brought together kids and families we hadn’t met before, and by the end of the hike, the girls were running around like they’d known each other for years. That sense of community, of finding your people out in the world — that’s one of the things we love most about this homeschool journey.
Davis Creek is worth the trip. Bring bug jars, wear good shoes, and let the kids lead.
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We homeschool on our 5-acre homestead in Lyon County, Nevada. Starnook is where we share the adventure — the hikes, the experiments, the animals, and the lessons that show up when you least expect them.