Saturday, December 31, 2011:Green Rock Trail, Rockwood Portion

Hiked maybe 2 and a half miles in on the Green Rock Trail, Rockwood side. Although this trail is linear and used to be 10 miles, a sign at the Rockwood Trailhead said that improvements at Greensfelder have resulted in the trail being lengthened to 14.5 miles.

This is a hilly trail.

Thursday, December 29th: Hawn State Park: Pickle Creek and Whispering Pines Trails (North and South Loops)

Hawn Park near St. Genevieve

Highway 55 to 32 (or O to 32), through the town of Weinberg

Reached 60 degrees--twenty degrees higher than normal temps in December in Missouri, but it wasn't disgustingly balmy. Took time hiking ten

miles in approximately five hours, stopping to take photographs, climb on rocks, watch the sunlight reflect off of water on to tree trunks and rock formations.

Although there were a few cars in the parking lot and campers in the campground, I saw only one other hiker, a back packer, during the entire five hour, ten mile hike.

Water run off was outstanding. The sound of waterfalls followed me for five hours--I had to take my hiking boots and socks off to cross one of the creeks. The water was cold, but my feet felt inexplicably great for a couple of miles after I'd put back on my socks and boots.

December 9, 2011: Clark Trail with Nina and No Name

Hiked the Clark Trail with Nina France and her dog No Name after school on Friday, December 9th. No Name is deaf, and Nina has, amazingly, taught her sign language! Back in the trail head parking lot at the end of the hike, No Name was standing by my car instead of going over to Nina's truck. Nina told me to first point to my nose, and then extend my arm outward, still pointing. No Name looked at me and then immediately ran over to Nina and jumped in the the truck for the ride home. 5.3 miles. Cold. The temperature dropped significantly while we hiked.

December 3 Urban Hike: Forest Park

Paul and I hiked the perimeter of Forest Park, beginning at the southeast corner, walking north towards Lindell and then following the walking/biking paths that are along the park's edges (we probably walked between 5 and 6 miles). A windy but really pleasant weather day. A myriad of dedicated runners passed us. We finished up our day with a trip to Goodwill and lunch at Six Row Brewery, both located on Forest Park Parkway.