Category Archives: Hiking

Cedar Lake, Ouachita National Forest ~ Day 1

11/14/2014 Danielle Huddleston Leave a comment

We just got back from a birthday trip to the Ouachita National Forest!

We stayed at the Cedar Lake Recreation Area in the Ouachita National Forest for six nights!

Three nights in a really nice wooded campsite with no electricity and three in an electric spot since it was going to get cold and we had a space heater.

Oatmeal.

Nick’s little stove is so nice for cooking on!

We started off our first morning there with an easy hike around Cedar Lake.

It was 3.9miles all the way around after taking a spur.

We saw some blood from a wounded animal on the trail.

The boys of course were set on tracking it.

This is a beautiful lake.

This was a great easy hike to start off our time there.

I had decided we should do two hikes that day.

Of course my second choice was not as easy…

The Horsethief Springs Trail is around 11miles and definitely fit it’s “more difficult” rank.

The terrain varied.

Sometimes it was not too bad and sometimes I think it was trying to kill me.

It was also overgrown in parts and not always the easiest to follow.

Mostly we ran into fading light more than anything.

It gets dark so early that this should have been our first hike of the day.

American Beauty Berry were everywhere!

We made it back before dark (barely)!

The next day I decided to take it easy and drive the Talimena Scenic Drive.

I will share more picture from our next (and much easier on my feet) day Monday!

Hiking

Keystone Ancient Forest ~Sand Springs, OK

10/23/2014 Danielle Huddleston Leave a comment

We decided to head out to the Keystone Ancient Forest Saturday to hike the Wilson Trail again.

We did not realize until we got there that they were hosting an event called “A Walk in the Forest”.

They had people from the forestry dept. and volunteers out teaching people about forests.

They also had signs with information about the trees and forests and a book about them.

Our trail was not busy at all!

We only saw two people on it.

In our natural environment…

My youngest wanted me to take a picture of some of the treasure he found since we could not take them with us.

Most parks and especially preserves do not want you to take anything with you.

They want it there for everyone to enjoy.

I need to work with my boys on the proper way to ask questions at events like this.

They interrupt.

I also realize that they do not handle evolution well.

They simply told them they do not believe in millions of years so of course the person stopped talking.

My husband pointed out that they would learn so much more from listening and asking questions versus telling someone they are wrong.

The people handled this graciously and with kindness but I am going to work with the boys on how we learn from others more.

Why am I writing this down?

I use this blog as kind of a journal.

I am hoping to come back some day, read this, and realize that I have accomplished my goal.

How do you work with your children on being good listeners?

I really do enjoy this place and hope you will go check it out!

There are nice easy paved paths, easy gravel and dirt paths, and a difficult trail for people like us.

Something for everyone.

Check out Sand Springs website for when they are open.

Camping, Hiking

MN Trip ~Day 6 The SHT

10/13/2014 Danielle Huddleston 1 Comment

After a wet cold night, I was ready to get moving!

We were heading all the way back to Silver Bay so this would be our longest hike of our trip.

My homemade instant oatmeal worked out really well!

Something hot to start out a cold morning really helps.

Everything we need for a hot meal.

We went ahead and went to the waterfall overlook before getting on the Superior Hiking Trail.

There was apparently a really nice view down below and on the other side but we did not want to add more miles and a ton of steps to our hike.

Maybe next time.

Silver Bay this way!

You start out your hike with “the drainpipe”, interesting name.

It is almost like rock climbing.

I was having a lot of trouble getting going so Nick carried the camera for most of this third day.

Mount Trudee without rain!

I had missed the photo opportunity the day before due to the rain so I was glad it was dry on the way back.

Well, it did not rain at least.

The path was a muddy mess.

The walking poles helped with the slipping around everywhere.

I still wiped out once though.

This was one of our steepest climbs for the day so I was glad we got it done.

I am glad we packed our light tripod for the trip.

I like it when both of us can be in a shot.

See his grin?

That is the grin of a man that is on the edge.

Literally.

I did not realize it until I had set the timer and went to him.

He tried to pull me close to him and I about freaked!

In this picture I am actually trying to pull away, closer to the nice safe rocks…

As opposed to open air and a steep fall.

Still enjoying the beautiful colors!

We did it!

We ended up with just over 11 miles that day.

We also just missed the rain.

It started just minutes after we started driving.

Despite the rain, I had to stop and take some pics of Lake Superior!

What a great trip!

Have you ever been to Lake Superior?

What is your favorite spot?