Let’s go ahead and just start with how this post can benefit everyone. I mean EVERYONE right now. Whether you want to admit it or not COVID-19 forever changed us and being stuck inside all the time is rough. Currently, I work from home and homeschool my child with virtual learning. By the end of the week my routines feel monotonous and I have an itch to go explore. For most of this past year I’ve taken day trips to surrounding areas like antique shopping or exploring near by honey and lavender farms. Every time I get a chance to leave I come back feeling renewed. I gain inspiration that carries me through the coming days and weeks. My soul literally feels more joy. Last weekend my daughter and I took a trip to Cedar Park on the north side of Austin. Our activities included being mostly outside and socially distant. At the end of the weekend she said this hike in St. Edwards Park was the best thing we did. Whether you face nature alone or take your loved ones, getting a little lost in nature is often times the refresher we all need to get us through the stressful times.

I’ve shared so many trails in Texas. From long ones like Lost Mines Peak in Big Bend National Park to short ones to view the 360 loop in Austin, they all bring a different but notable experience. St. Edwards Park was a moderate trail with few people on it which made it an excellent choice for us to bring our dog Violet. Although when I hike with others I go at a slower pace than I do when I bring the kiddo along it’s always so much fun to explore with someone else. She brought along her poloroid camera to take pictures and reveled in the magic of all of the fall leaves. Most of her life has been spent living in the large city of Houston, TX and seeing the leaves change was actually kind of foreign to her. We decided to hike in the mid-afternoon before the light fell to much below the horizon. All of the leaves lit up gold and orange during this time of day.

Typically when I go on a hike I wear my appropriate footwear and carry a backpack. I’ve found it’s always good to bring a large bottle of water for each person - 32-50oz. Most people who do not regularly hike forget to bring enough water. I also pack it with a few other essentials like sunscreen and nutrition bars. I’ve totally gotten lost in the past and it taken longer to get back to my car. Now I make sure I have extra snacks in that event. Another tip I have is to mark your car on your phone so that if you do get turned around you can use your phone’s GPS to navigate back. Bringing an actual compass isn’t a terrible idea either. Sometimes when you get on a trail there is a lack of cell service. Most trails have markers, so you’ll need to pay attention to them along the way. Take a picture of the markers so that if you do get turned around you can wind your way back using landmarks.

Hiking Essentials

I highly recommend wearing a pair of hiking boots. They are well worth the investment. They are so much better than tennis shoes which seem to slip and not have enough grip on uneven terrain. Also, hiking boots are usually water resistant with ankle support that regular shoes do not have. This makes it easier to cross muddy banks. I’ve hiked with countless people who did not wear the right shoes and if there’s one thing I can suggest it’s come prepared. I also bring my designated hiking backpack that has various compartments. I keep things I need easy to access and throw the rest in the larger area. Look for a backpack with padded shoulders so you can carry the weight of your water comfortably. Then, just get lost and enjoy the view.