hikes #25 and #26

 Yesterday I was once again a substitute teacher for EFC (our homeschool) while Mike is taking a hunting class. Rose and I had a great day exploring the Lewis and Clark museum, walking along the river, seeing the Giant Springs, and feeding beautiful trout at the fish hatchery!

We also treated ourselves to an excellent lunch of poutine (for me - along with a side salad), mac&cheese (for her), and the fanciest milkshake I've ever seen!

Today we went out for our standard weekend out-and-back hike from our house. I didn't realize we were already at the halfway point, so we didn't do the real hike #26 for the challenge. Instead Rose brought a joke book along and read jokes to me along the way. (What is spelled with 8 letters, but only has one letter inside?  ......  an envelope!)

Now we're off to go sell some Girl Scout cookies! Wish us luck as the weather changes from the 75 degrees we had yesterday, to the 45 we have today, to the 6-10" of snow we're supposed to get between Monday and Tuesday. :(

52 Hike Challenge Kids Edition Checklist - DONE

hike #1 - 1/1/22 - 2 miles, out-and-back from home - 1. Journal about or discuss with an adult what you hope to gain by taking the 52 Hike Challenge journey. 

hike #2 - 1/2/22 - 1.3 miles, down the dry river bed and up the road - 16. Touch five trees on your hike (remember to stay on trail!)*  we touched 103 trees!

hike #3 - 1/9/22 - 1 mile meandering around our house - 33. Opt Outside. Let an adult know where you’d like to go next.

hike #4 - 1/15/22 - 1 mile meandering around our house - 42. Use your imagination on the trail.* 

hike #5 - 1/22/22 - biking around the Craig campground - 40. Hike a loop trail.*

hike #6 - 1/29/22 - 1.75mi bike/hike at Giant Springs State park -  7. Hike in a state park.*

hike #7 - 1/30/22 - 2 miles, out-and-back from home - 36. Bring a toy and have an adult photograph you with it on your hike.

hike #8 - 2/2/22 - 1.25 mile nature hike at Long Key State Park (Florida) -  11. Hike with a family member you haven't hiked with yet.

hike #9 - 2/3/22 - hiking and snorkeling at Dry Tortugas NP - 5. Hike in a Nationally designated area. Examples include: National park, National preserve, National monument, etc.* 

hike #10 - 2/4/22 - hiking around Bahia Honda SP - 12. Take a friend on a hike.

hike #11 -  2/5/22 - kayaking at Biscayne NP -  4. Hike near a body of water. Examples include: ocean, lake, river, or creek.

hike #12 - 2/6/22 - Anhinga Trail and Gumbo Limbo Trail at Everglades NP (2 mi) - 27. Adventure to an iconic spot. Examples include: bridge, stairs, landmark, etc.* 

hike #13 - 2/6/22 - Guy Bradley's Mosquito Hell Trail at Everglades NP (2 mi) - 43. Go camping (the backyard works too!)*

hike #14 - 2/7/22 - biking the 14-mile Shark Valley Trail at Everglades NP - 18. Go on a 3 mile or more hike.

hike #15 - 2/12/22 - 1.3 miles, down the dry river bed and up the road - 49. Hike with a pet on a pet-friendly trail.

hike #16 - 2/25/22 - 1 mile (what we call the "G-loop with an extra driveway loop) - 32. Bring a new friend hiking with you.

hike #17 - 2/26/22 - 2 miles - out-and-back from home - 39. Hike an out and back trail.*

hike #18 - 2/27/22 - 2 miles out-and-back from home - 2. Learn the Seven “Leave No Trace” principles and apply them on the trail.*

hike #19 - 3/6/22 - 1.1 mile, down the dry river bed and back up again - 8. Find a heart shaped item on the trail. For example: rock, leaf, etc. 

hike #20 - 3/12/22 - 1 mile (G-loop with an extra driveway loop) - 22. Go outside at night and stargaze. 

hike #21 - 3/29/22 - 2.65 miles from our house down to the parking lot to pick up my car - 13. Enjoy a meal on trail. 

hike #22 - 3/27/22 - 1.2 miles down the dry river bed and back up again - 30. Take a Spring hike and look for wildflower blooms.

hike #23 - 4/1/22 - 2 miles out-and-back from home - 44. Go on an urban hike around your neighborhood.  (not exactly "urban" for us, but it is our neighborhood!)

hike #24 - 4/2/22 - 3 miles at First Peoples Buffalo Jump state park - 31. Go on a birding hike. Count the amount of times you see birds. 

hike #25 - 4/8/22 - 1 mile at the Lewis and Clark museum (to/from the Giant Springs) - 37. Hike to or in an historical place.* 

hike #26 - 4/9/22 - 2 miles out-and-back from home - 14. Bring a book and read, or have it read to you, on your trail break. 

52 Hike Challenge Kids Edition Checklist - YET TO DO

3. Hike to a waterfall, even if there is no water flowing. 

6. Hike outside of your city. 

9. Join a group hike and draw your favorite memory from the day. 

10. Join a non-profit event to volunteer on the trail. Examples include: building a trail, maintaining a trail, native tree planting, etc.*

15. Share three things you’re grateful for on your hike with your trail buddy.

17. Scout for wildlife. Examples include: birds, lizards, chipmunks, etc. 

19. Observe the flowers along the trail and draw them without picking them. 

20. Go on a geology hike.* 

21. Observe the rocks on your hike and draw them.

23. Observe the animals on your hike and draw them. 

24. Go on a full moon hike (make sure to bring a headlamp and park is open.) 

25. Put on your rain jacket, waterproof boots and go on a rain hike. Don’t forget to jump in some puddles. 

26. Journal or discuss with an adult how you feel about being halfway through your 52 Hike Challenge.

28. Become a trail steward! Volunteer to clean up a park or pick up trash on a hike. 

29. Observe the trail’s micro details and draw them. Examples include: mushrooms, snails, tree moss, leaves, pinecones, plants, etc.

34. Bring a sketchbook on your hike and draw something you're inspired by. 

35. Go on a designated nature walk.* 

38. Learn about the 10 essentials and pack them in your day pack.* 

41. Go on a geocaching hike.*

45. Spend an hour playing at the park. Examples include: beach, local park, etc. 

46. Share the 52 Hike Challenge with another kid hiking on the same trail. 

47. Have someone take a photo of you at your hike’s destination. 

48. Hike in a canyon. 

50. Hike in a forest.* 

51. Hike in a desert. 

52. Journal or discuss with an adult your thoughts or feelings on completing your 52 Hike Challenge! 

53. Bonus: Hike in the snow.