Oh just a ten mile loop

Hawn State Park is near Farmington, MO about an hour from St. Louis. Leaving the StL early we got out to Hawn probably around 10:30am and finished the whole hike around 5.  We started on the Whispering Pine Trail which is two loops put together one north loop which is 6 miles the other south being 4 miles with a mini scenic loop in the middle of the south loop. It was a perfect Saturday for our hike, we pulled into a cute picnic area/parking lot which we will have to go back for to have lunch!

Both loops were very scenic and the trail was moderate, there was a couple river crossing... ok big stream crossings, that I wasn't super pumped about, but I had a good hiking partner to steady me across the rocks. We saw families and pups on the trail so it seemed that people of all ages could handle the trail. I would recommend grabbing a map to start just a helpful tool to have. Two people came up to us near the end having no idea how much further the loop was and it was about 4:30pm (they also had no water or anything, not smart). 

No really new gear, but I did try these out hiking: 

Columbia Shorts

I had these for about two years, love them! I wear them more just as everyday shorts, I was worried a bit because they are pretty short and didn't want to worry about poison ivy or ticks, but overall they did awesome! I would wear them again for sure! Overall great trail and great day!! 

No backpacks just blunders during April

April,

 I hate you. You were a tough month.

  - Love, Lauren

It has been a busy month: 

- Half Marathon

- Threw a baby shower for a friend

- 10 mile hike at Hawn state park

- Ben Folds Concert

- Week long trip to Alabama

- Broadway musical Once

- Easter

- Week long trip to Tremont, Tennessee

- Weekend trip to Chicago

- Oh and work... 

 Let's start at the beginning first weekend in April I thought it would be a good idea to run a half marathon. I started training in December and felt pretty good about it the week before the race, but it was really tough. I had some knee trouble the months before and really my knees were awesome it was my feet and stomach that couldn't keep up during the race. I was sore for two days after and had no injuries so it was a success. I am glad it is over and has taught me that I am not a long distance runner but prefer my 3-4 mile loops and call it a day!

One thing that did help me in my training were these bad boys, Brooks Glycerin 11  I am obsessed with these shoes! I was running in normal Nike Frees which did well and I really like and still wear, but putting a ton of miles on those puppies started to hurt my knees and I needed a little more. I went to a running store, ran on a treadmill and measured my gait. I tried on a lot of shoes but these made my feet happy! Side note, never heard of brooks running shoes before I tried them on. 

First Hike of the Year

The weather finally let up! After a nasty winter with freezing cold temps and tons of snow we finally had a Saturday that was perfect so my man and I decided it was time to get outside! We went out to Weldon Springs and did the Lewis trail, here is a helpful link:

Trail Map

It was around 8 miles and ended us right at our car, a perfect loop. Difficulty was low to moderate, we did have our boots ready for mud because of the weather, but didn't experience that much. We saw a lot of trail runners as well as dog walkers so everyone was out! There was a shorter route, Clark, which curved around at around 5 miles, but we did the Lewis.  We started around 11:30  and finished at 3:45. We did pack a lunch because you had views like this below which made the perfect lunch spot. This is  great trail and I will be doing this again!

Gear:

• Eddie Bauer Trailhead Pack

 My EB pack is 4 years old I use it mainly for school outings with my students, I think it is time to upgrade, but for a small hike like this it was perfect. Held my two water bottles, layers and extra shoes perfectly

• Keen Targhee ii low outdoor shoes

I got these bad boys May 2013, I love 'em! I do wish I would of gotten a half size bigger for bigger socks but they do great. I got them from REI and they helped me out a ton with the 18 I tried on. 

My first ever brand spanking new backpack!

I did it! I bought my first ever backpack, not just any backpack... a big hunkin backpack! Here are the deets:

I looked high and low and this little beaut magically appeared. It was originally 289, marked down to 128 and then down to 95! Thats right 95!  I just wanted to update, I will be doing a more in depth review once I get my hands on it next week!

Here we go...

So, here it is the reason for the blog: 

1.) I am a city girl trying so hard to prove that I belong in nature. 

2.) I have no skill whatsoever in backpacking, hiking or camping. 

3.) I think the best part of it all is the gear so why not share my likes and dislikes?!?

 Enjoy.