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LMQC’s outdoor blogger, Teri Stickler, and her faithful companion, Kaia, celebrate the new year with an outdoor trek through Palisades-Kepler park – all part of their plan to hike 365 miles in 2023!
By LMQC Outdoor bloggers, Teri Stickler and her Samoyed, Kaia
As this new year began, many state parks celebrated with First Day Hikes. Not to be left standing at the side of the gravel road, Kaia and I jumped in the car and took a short trip to Palisades-Kepler State Park, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
There, we met friends and participated in what has become a New Year’s Day tradition.
Iowa parks offer these events at over 50 forests and parks throughout the state. This year included a First Day Hike Challenge through something called the State Park Passport.
Our first hike of 2023 got off to an easy start
Kaia and I joined a guided hike. We were able to check in via the DNR website. After signing up, we then entered a specific code available on site.
The weather on January 1st was relatively comfortable for me, maybe a tad warm for Kaia, but then she does wear the warmest of winter wear this time of year. As people gathered for the noon hike, Friends of Palisades-Kepler Park set up for snacks, hot dogs, s’mores, and hot chocolate, along with a warm fire offered in the stone lodge following the hike.
Palisades-Kepler offers nice trails throughout the wooded areas and along the Cedar River. Due to the terrain, some of the trails have rather hilly climbs, but there are alternative routes should one prefer a slightly gentler walk.
A January hike along the riverbanks
Besides the trails through the woods, there are sandy beach areas along the river. Kaia thoroughly enjoyed this part and so wanted to get a drink and put her feet in the cold water, but all along the riverbank, the thick ice had cracked and left what almost looked like a concrete border to the water.
Though she did explore the possibility of stepping into the shallows, she judged it was not the wisest decision to make at that time.
While at the river, we were greeted by the honking of scores of geese on the water and several bald eagles surveying the area from high in the treetops, their chatter recognizable, and seeing them always a reward.
This time of year, the park’s modern restrooms are closed for the season, though there are more primitive facilities available.
Hiking in January … you won’t be the only ones
I would venture the guess that close to 50 people participated in this event, along with a nice number of happy dogs able to accompany their families, dogs on-leash, and, of course, well-behaved.
A number of participants seemed concerned that Kaia, with her bright white coat, would get very dirty on some of the trails where there would be a little mud. And yes, that did happen, but the exceptional thing about Kaia’s coat is that even though she can be terribly dirty on her belly and legs after a hike, she seldom requires a bath.
What to bring on a winter hike
As her coat dries, Mother Nature has made it so the dirt just sluffs off, and after a bit, one would never guess she had been so dirty. Unlike me and my ‘feet,’ my hiking boots did need a bit of a clean-up. Nothing we can’t handle and nothing one wouldn’t expect to happen. It is recommended, however, to wear good, supportive hiking boots whenever hiking the trails.
Some of today’s participants also brought along hiking sticks. These are very nice pieces of gear to have, and although I do own a set, I chose not to use them this day, what with handling Kaia’s leash and taking gloves off and on when taking pictures. For me, I find that having too much stuff to deal with detracts from the day’s true objective, to relax, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the company and the atmosphere.
Make 2023 your year to hike area trails
Think about planning to include frequent hiking in your schedule this new year. Apparently, there is also a 365-mile challenge being promoted. One can check out the website but signing up for such an event is unnecessary.
Simply decide to try to get out often and maybe keep track of where you’ve been, when, and how far your wandered. Anything more than the year before is progress.
Learn more about the Iowa State Park Passport program by clicking here.
Check out the images from Teri and Kaia’s latest outdoor adventure …
As this new year began, many state parks celebrated with First Day Hikes. Not to be left standing at the side of the gravel road, Kaia and I jumped in the car and took a short trip to Palisades-Kepler State Park, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
There, we met friends and participated in what has become a New Year’s Day tradition.
Iowa parks offer these events at over 50 forests and parks throughout the state. This year included a First Day Hike Challenge through something called the State Park Passport.
Our first hike of 2023 got off to an easy start
Kaia and I joined a guided hike. We were able to check in via the DNR website. After signing up, we then entered a specific code available on site. The weather on January 1st was relatively comfortable for me, maybe a tad warm for Kaia, but then she does wear the warmest of winter wear this time of year. As people gathered for the noon hike, Friends of Palisades-Kepler Park set up for snacks, hot dogs, s’mores, and hot chocolate, along with a warm fire offered in the stone lodge following the hike. Palisades-Kepler offers nice trails throughout the wooded areas and along the Cedar River. Due to the terrain, some of the trails have rather hilly climbs, but there are alternative routes should one prefer a slightly gentler walk.A January hike along the riverbanks
Besides the trails through the woods, there are sandy beach areas along the river. Kaia thoroughly enjoyed this part and so wanted to get a drink and put her feet in the cold water, but all along the riverbank, the thick ice had cracked and left what almost looked like a concrete border to the water.
Though she did explore the possibility of stepping into the shallows, she judged it was not the wisest decision to make at that time.
While at the river, we were greeted by the honking of scores of geese on the water and several bald eagles surveying the area from high in the treetops, their chatter recognizable, and seeing them always a reward.
This time of year, the park’s modern restrooms are closed for the season, though there are more primitive facilities available.
Hiking in January … you won’t be the only ones
I would venture the guess that close to 50 people participated in this event, along with a nice number of happy dogs able to accompany their families, dogs on-leash, and, of course, well-behaved. A number of participants seemed concerned that Kaia, with her bright white coat, would get very dirty on some of the trails where there would be a little mud. And yes, that did happen, but the exceptional thing about Kaia’s coat is that even though she can be terribly dirty on her belly and legs after a hike, she seldom requires a bath.What to bring on a winter hike
As her coat dries, Mother Nature has made it so the dirt just sluffs off, and after a bit, one would never guess she had been so dirty. Unlike me and my ‘feet,’ my hiking boots did need a bit of a clean-up. Nothing we can’t handle and nothing one wouldn’t expect to happen. It is recommended, however, to wear good, supportive hiking boots whenever hiking the trails. Some of today’s participants also brought along hiking sticks. These are very nice pieces of gear to have, and although I do own a set, I chose not to use them this day, what with handling Kaia’s leash and taking gloves off and on when taking pictures. For me, I find that having too much stuff to deal with detracts from the day’s true objective, to relax, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the company and the atmosphere.Make 2023 your year to hike area trails
Think about planning to include frequent hiking in your schedule this new year. Apparently, there is also a 365-mile challenge being promoted. One can check out the website but signing up for such an event is unnecessary. Simply decide to try to get out often and maybe keep track of where you’ve been, when, and how far your wandered. Anything more than the year before is progress. Learn more about the Iowa State Park Passport program by clicking here.Check out the images from Teri and Kaia’s latest outdoor adventure …
Teri Stickler
Outdoor Blogger and Co-Adventurer
Meet Teri Stickler. Teri is a retired Quad-City teacher. She thoroughly enjoys the out-of-doors, sharing most of her adventures with her Samoyed companion, Kaia.
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