Friday 4-11-25 Hiking Tall Oaks, Camping & Games

 

 

Overcast Day

 

We woke up to a brisk 43 degrees. There was a cloud covering and a breeze. It only got up to 61 degrees.

Larry got up at 6:00 (his normal time). It took him over a half hour to tape up his feet for hiking. Even with all the taping he sometimes has problems with blisters. Due to rain the last time we hiked was 11 days ago. This was probably a good thing since Larry was nursing a big blister in one of his toes. 

I rolled out of bed about 7:00. I got dressed and made cinnamon french toast sticks for breakfast.

After breakfast we went on a 3 hour hike. The trail was Tall Oaks Trail (3.9 mile loop). It was a rugged trail through the trees and along the creek. In Missouri State Parks trails are rated with Moderate, Easy, Rugged and more. They also put numbers for what to except on the trails. Tall Oak trail trail experiences were 2) natural surface with rocks, gravel, dirt and mud, 3) rocks, roots and/or other downed vegetation on trail and 7) steep grades and includes over 10%. Tall Oaks trail allows hikers, bicycles, and backpackers. 

We started from the Minnie and hiked to the trailhead by the amphitheater. The actual loop starts .6 mile from the trailhead. Some places were a little muddy so we had to walk around them. We crossed over the creek via rocks, climbed up the side of the mountain, hiked over a downed tree and through the forest. The trail was very well marked with yellow trail markers. After hiking .6 mile there was a sign saying you can go either way on Tall Oaks Loop Trail. We went right. It was a gradual climb up the mountain but you need to be careful of the roots, loose rocks, slippery rock at creek crossing and leaves (you're not sure what's under the leaves). It was beautiful hike that weaved through the forest. We hiked to the lake. It was small but very nice. We were the only people on the trail. Occasionally, we saw deer hoof prints and other prints. We saw a couple of people on the banks of the lake. The park boundaries were marked with blue signs. While hiking the trail on top of the mountain we saw a gorgeous field of lavender color flowers. We stopped now and than just to enjoy the scenery and one time to sit on a down tree to rest. By the time we got back to the Minnie we had hiked 4.25 miles. 

 

Creek we crossed a few times

 

Forest we hiked through

Field of flowers

 

Lake from the trail

 

My fitness band did an excellent job of tracking mileage, time and steps. I don't have to walk around tonight because I did my goal of 12,000 steps. In fact we had hiked 12,300 steps. The more I wear the band the more I learn.   

We spent the rest of the day relaxing. I played my games. I did the Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. The event was Event: Easy Street Mini of 15 games. It took me 33 minutes and 16 seconds, which put me in 13th place in my group. Then I moved on to playing Angry Birds and Friends and Angry Birds 2.

 

 

Angry Birds

 

After playing games I continued reading How the Light Gets In by Joyce Maynard. Larry finished a book and started a new one.

 

Relaxing with a good book

 

Today is Friday so the other day when we went grocery shopping Larry suggested we picked up a pepperoni and mozzarella cheese flatbread. That's what we had for dinner. I got my Friday pizza dinner.

 

Pepperoni mozzarella cheese flatbread

 

After dinner we walked around for an hour. While walking around we noticed they had removed the sign indicating the restroom and showers were closed. We checked a door for a shower and the men's room and they were unlocked. This was a pleasant surprise. Now we can take a shower during our stay here. Larry walked with me for a half hour and then went inside the Minnie. I walked another half hour around the campground. I stopped at the check-in booth and asked the young lady working there about the recycling. She said take a green bag and put cans, plastic bottles, cartons and other recyclable items in the bag. On the day we leave just leave the bag hanging on the hook. They will come by and pick it up. How cool is that!!! 

By the end of the day I had done 19,000 steps.