Lime Kiln, February 8, 2015

 Paul and I planned to hike this weekend because of the unseasonably warm weather--75 degrees, at least.  After taking Pat to the store, we made the short drive to Rockwood Reseravation. The three mile Lime Kiln trail is a good one to start with--not that strenuous and Paul hasn't been hiking in a while.

 I thought this would make a decent picture, my face in shadow.  

 Paul noticed that you can see the snow at Hidden Valley through the trees.

 Lots of families on the trail and along the creek. More kids than I've ever seen on this trail before.

The Lime Kiln! I think I take a photo every time!

Hawn Park: Whispering Pine Trail, Saturday, January 17, 2015

 Got to 62 degrees today after a cold spell during the first week of January.  I packed up the new Prius C and drove to Hawn, arriving around 11:20. Both parking lots were packed and there were a fair amount of hikers on the trail (including but not limited to):  a couple with a 6 year old Lab, a couple with a furry white sheep dog and a tiny boy wearing a super hero hat, two high school boys who were using sticks to sword fight,  and three middle aged guys getting ready to back pack over night. I think I was the only person hiking sans companionship in human or canine form.

 The trail next to Pickle Spring was slow going as it was extremely muddy and still icy in parts. I had forgotten until I started hiking that this week brought a snow storm south of St. Louis and that the Farmington schools even had a snow day while St. Louis had only rain.  But the ice left over in the creek and the River Aux Vases made for exciting scenery and the comforting sound of running water.  I realized I hadn't been to Hawn in three years! Much too long to be away.

 It's difficult to tell, but this rock is covered in a sheet of ice. I was a bit lazy today (and probably over-careful) to get close. Was feeling my age a bit. Alas.

 Immediately, when I started hiking the beginning of the trail along Pickle Spring, I thought about all the times Sam would run ahead and jump into the creek at the start of the hike just like the 6 year old black lab belonging to the young couple. Memories of Sam gave me that curious adult mix of feelings: happiness and loss mingled into one.

 I love winter leaves that are left on branches.  The ones that have persevered and so have unique colors and textures compared to the rest.

 Controlled burn. Even though it was sunny during parts of the hike, most of my photos do not seem to reflect it.

 Ah, the bluffs. I didn't spend too long here today--too many other people around, lunching, traipsing, taking up space, space, space, but I had to get a shot of one of the vistas.  First saw them 15 or 16 years ago when Katherine Hoelscher first brought me here to hike. During that time, I've been to Hawn with a host of others besides Katherine:  Paul, Lynnette, Dena, Evelyln, Phyllis, Emily Molina, Shelly Williams, Christine, Robyne Elder, Paul's sister Mary.  Phyllis, Lynnette and I camped here.

 Last leg of the hike:  Sam would always climb into this creek to cool off.

I did get a little lost today, and a whole family followed me.  I panicked a bit but knew I had my cell phone and that it was only 2 o'clock.  Climbed two ridges and the second one lead me back onto the trail. Checked with a couple who was resting and lunching about which way to go--and discovered my intuition--for once--was correct. The direction I thought I should be hiking in was the right one.  That was a tad scary.  I also had to hike in wet socks and boots because I crossed the River Aux Vases in my boots after sticking one naked foot in the water and chickening out because of the cold.The last time I was here, in December of 2011, I was much more adventurous and crossed in bare feet. Today, I paid. And as I sat there, wringing out my socks, the two sword fighting high school boys put down a branch and crossed quite easily and quickly, remaining dry.  If only I'd waited five minutes, they would have come along and helped me as well. The whole hike took me from 11:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., but besides taking a detour, the trail was wet and difficult to hike today--but still worth every minute.

Cemetery Walks with Paul, November 7, 2014

The Meuse-Argonne offensive was the last battle of World War II. It lasted months and 26,000 American s were killed, including twenty-four year old Walter Runge.

Paul and I went walking in Concordia Cemetery by our house on Bates--discovering that it has been there since the early to mid 1800's and was begun by Germans.  The leaves in the city proper have not fallen yet, and parks and cemeteries are great places to see large, colorful trees before winter weather sets in for good (probably this week).  We also went to the cemetery on Mackenzie where Paul's Dad is buried and witnessed a Bosnian Muslim funeral--the person who died is not in a coffin, and is only covered by a colorful burial shroud.  I just read that according to that tradition, the person should be buried before sundown on the day that they passed away--and the family prepares the body for burial.

Lewis and Clark, November 6

Hiked after professional development. Many leaves have fallen but the ones that remain are brilliant shades of red and gold.  I marveled how well I felt, other than panting going up the hills because I've been out of practice and out of shape.  It felt so great to MOVE.

New Bench at the beginning of the trail.

Lewis and Clark Trail October 6,2014

After hideous weekend with dental infection, I got the fairly all clear from the dentist (and the dermatologist by phone) to go hiking, since I'd taken the whole day off of school anyway.  Headed out to Lewis and Clark, still too swollen to wear flipper but I did not care. It was an amazing warm Fall day and I hiked the 5.3 miles easily.  This trail is so convenient--right on the way home from school.  Played with the effects on my I-phone camera. Instant and amazing! Just a few leaves starting to turn. 

Hiking with Pat around April 23, 2014: Cuivre River

I got a little lazy about posting my hikes, walks, etc.. It's been a busy and somewhat stressful season--from Spring to Summer to Fall. Took Gateway Writing Project in June/July, had surgery the first week of August and started school mid-August. Trying to catch up with postings and get back to hiking and blogging. . . .

 This is my brother Patrick Coleman on his 42nd birthday at Cuivre River State Park. We hiked after I'd left school early for a doctor's appointment--and then I purchased his gifts and headed out to Wentzville. Day was cool, a little humid. We talked a lot about Mom and her death, our Dad's sociopathic tendencies--samo, samo, but hiking and talking is a good way to process difficult information and occurrences.

 This is where Pat made the joke about . . well, it was inappropriate, as usual :).

 Odd drainage system. This was not concrete but some kind of synthetic material. Gave me the willies about cancer and toxins.

 The Cuivre River. It was a record cold winter in St. Louis--as cold a winter as I can ever remember and I'm 48.  Green was just trying to make a comeback in late April.  Contrast that with Spring 2011 when foliage was in bloom by the end of March.

 Back pack camp. We made plans to camp here, but as yet, they haven't materialized.

Field by the parking lot, heading home.

Clark Trail: April 22, 2014

 Near the end of the trail, I came across a giant True Detective pyramid!

 Finally, a dogwood has bloomed.

 The foliage is really coming out. Last weekend, the woods were still kind of bare.

 Tree formations caused from last Spring's storm damage.

 Red bud at the bridge. You know you've almost finished the trail here.

Likewise, you've almost finished the trail here.  I did 5.3 miles in about two hours tonight. Perfect weather, between 65 and 70 degrees. Sunny and little tree cover; I was wearing my wide-brimmed straw hat. Peaceful and stress relieving.