My Leki Makalu Thermolite Trekking Poles

I (JD) recently had my FOURTH knee surgery on my right knee about 2 1/2 months ago.  I had never been much of trekking pole user during all my years of hiking (I have had a pair sitting in my gear room for about 2 years now), but decided after this last surgery that maybe it is time to try them out.

The White River in Missouri.

We have been in Missouri the last couple of weeks trying to finish up some hikes for our Best Easy Day Hikes Ozarks Falcon Guide and I decided to use this time as a trial for my Leki Makalu Thermolite Trekking Poles.  One word sums it all up for me, WOW!  I cannot believe the difference that a couple of lightweight sticks made for me.  Not only did I find that the poles transferred some of my load/weight over from my knees to the poles (as advertised), but I also found that my posture improved while hiking (helping my lower back to feel better after a long day on the trail).  I also took a lot less stumbles on the trail with the added balance (it was a stumble coming down Iztaccihuatl in Mexico that did me in last time).

Gettin my hike on!

It is pretty safe to say that I am sold on my Leki's.  The set of poles I used have the super locking system on them which I prefer over the newer speed locking system.  I like the idea of the speed locks, but have found that the current design (the small speed locking handles) is easier to get snagged on pant legs, bushes, etc.

I am looking forward to working on our Albuquerque guide so I can give my poles another workout!

Book Signing Dates

We have a couple of book signings in the works!  One signing and presentation is all set for July 16th at the Alpine Shop in Kirkwood, MO.  We will be signing copies of our newest Falcon Guide, Best Easy Day Hikes St. Louis.  Check out this link with more info: https://alpineshop.webconnex.com/booksign

The second signing is just now in the works and looks like it will take place at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Show this summer.  We will be signing FREE copies of our Hiking Grand Staircase-Escalante & the Glen Canyon Region Falcon Guide.  Saturday August 6th is looking like the day!  VERY EXCITING! 

Mexico 2011

Here are a few photos from JD's mountaineering trip to Mexico last month.  Mexico was amazing and I cannot wait to go back on a personal trip with Emily and back with SJC in two years.

Enjoy!

Its on the Shelves!!!

Okay people.  It hit shelves yesterday!  Look for it in stores like Barnes & Noble, REI, Alpine Shop, etc.  Our first St. Louis book is also available online through stores like Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target and many others.

Our more comprehensive book, Best Hikes Near St. Louis, is going through the editing process right now and should hit shelves before the end of the year.

Keep checking back for a date when we will be in St. Louis SIGNING and giving away FREE ones!!!

A Busy Spring is Gonna Turn Into a Busy Summer

So, we are right in the middle of a busy spring.  Emily just got back from Missouri where she was working on wedding plans and a hiking guide, and JD just got back from Mexico where he conquered his first 17 thousand foot plus peak.  JD has an AMGA training and then a knee surgery in April along with a Challenge Course Practitioner Training in May.  Emily is sooo close to wrapping up her first year of teaching and cannot wait for the summer!  We are also expecting one new book contract soon from Falcon Guides for a Best Hikes Near Albuquerque book.

By the end of May we'll be heading to Springfield, MO to finish up a hiking guide there so we can turn right around and co-instruct an Expedition Backpacking class for San Juan College near Taos, NM.  Right after that class we'll head back to Missouri for our wedding (it only took 7.5 years!) and then we'll honeymoon in the Ozarks where we'll be wrapping up hiking guide NUMBER SIX.  While all of that is going on, we'll be spending weekends in and around Albuquerque working on guide number 7 and waiting to see if we get offered an 8th book which will be a rewrite of the Falcon Guides Leave No Trace pocket book.

Oh, did I mention we will probably be in Cody, WY in August?

Mexico City and Jackson, MO!!! Here we come.

Spring Break is here!  JD is headed to Mexico to climb two volcanic peaks and Emily is headed to Missouri to work on a hiking guide.  JD will be sending sat phone updates to Emily and she will posting updates here and on Facebook.

Stay tuned!

Emily's 3rd Cover Photo!

Emily's 3rd Falcon Guide cover photo will grace the cover of Best Easy Day Hikes St. Louis.  Due out April 1st.  Take a look!

JD and Arnie's best sides.

Our 4th Highpoint

Our 4th highpoint was the closest to us back in 2004.  In August of 04 we headed over to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park in Missouri to conquer 1,772 foot Taum Sauk Mountain.  Conquer might be a bit of an exaggeration since you drive to the parking lot and walk about .2 mile to summit, but the highpoint is just the first of the adventures you can have here.

The Drive:  From Arcadia, MO take SR 21 southwest for about 4.5 miles.  You will pass the "Tip Top Roadside Park" and turn right (northwest) not long after where the sign points to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.  Follow the paved road for 3 miles and stay right at the fork where the pavement ends.  Continue about .4 mile on the gravel road to the parking area.

The Hike:  From the parking area it is just a short walk on a paved trail.  Walk west for about .2 mile where the sign points to highpoint.

Extend your trip by visiting Mina Sauk Falls (the highest falls in Missouri) and the Devil's Tollgate.  These detailed hikes can be found in our upcoming Best Hikes Near St. Louis Falcon Guide!

JD, Arnie, and Aspen at the MO Highpoint.

Book Number 2 Due Out in February

Get 'em while they're HOT!

Our second book revision is due to hit shelves in February 2010.  Emily's second cover photo graces the front and the VERY photogenic JD is in the shot again.  Hmmm... the first cover photo was of his back and you can barely see him in the second cover photo.  It doesn't get anymore photogenic than that.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Hiking-Grand-Staircase-Escalante-the-Glen-Canyon-Region-2nd/Ron-Adkison/e/9780762760619/?itm=1&USRI=hiking+grand+staircase

Come and Get 'em!

Our first Falcon Guide book is out on the shelves! Okay, so it is a revision of an already written book but our names are on the inside cover and JD and Aspen are gracing the cover.  Our second revision is due out soon and it will be chocked full of Emily's photos.

Get 'em at places like Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Amazon.

Our fully authored and photoed Best Easy Day Hikes St. Louis and Best Hikes Near St.Louis will be hitting shelves next year.  Best Easy Day Hikes Springfield, MO and Best Easy Day Hikes Ozarks might be out as early as next November as well.

Let us know if you need an autographed copy. HAHA!

We're Headed Back Out West!!!

JD has landed a job at San Juan College in Farmington, NM as the new Coordinator for Outdoor Recreation (we will still be writing for Falcon Guides as well).  We are super-excited!  Farmington sits just miles from the Four Corners and looks a little something like the picture below:

Colorado 14ers will be to our north and northeast, Utah canyons will be to our west and northwest, New Mexico Rockies to our east, and Arizona desert to our west.

Can't wait!!!

An Unexpected Surprise

We went for a hike at Horseshoe Lake State Park the other day near Collinsville, IL.  We hadn't planned to include it in the new book until we got a mile or so into the hike.  It's not your typical worn dirt path hike.  In fact, there was no dirt path at all.  The entire 3.7 mile trail was a mowed-down grassy loop around the 'horseshoe' that followed the lake shore for most of the way, took us through a swamp, and offered more bird viewing than any bird watcher could dream of.  We are pretty sure it will make the book.

You gotta love the swamps.

Panther Den, a Southern Illinois Classic.

This one is a pretty good drive from St. Louis, but we are gonna throw it in the Falcon Guide anyway.  I think most will agree that it is worth the drive?

We get asked for directions to Panther Den Wilderness all the time, so here ya go: Coming from Giant City Road in Carbondale, you turn left on Grassy Road and then right onto Rocky Comfort Road (watch for the Y and stay right on Rocky Comfort).  Pass the Blue Sky Winery and take the next left onto Panther's Den Road and then left onto Panther's Den Lane.  The forest service has made this area over and there is now a parking area at the end of the lane.

Park at the new trailhead and take forest service trail 371 to Panther Den for some sweet explorations!

Arnie, navigating the "maze".

Rat snake, I believe.

The high rock walls of Panther Den.

Castlewood State Park

We took a hike on the River Scene Trail in Castlewood State Park the other day.  It's a keeper!  What a great hike.  The 3 mile loop took us up onto a bluff that overlooks the Meramac River and offered some nice views of the rolling hills.  The trail then went down next to the river to circle us back to the trailhead.  This one will be in our Falcon Guide and we highly recommend it.

Trailhead.

The views.

A Prairie Ring-necked Snake.

Spring Valley Trail at Cliff Cave County Park

The other day we went for a hike on the Spring Valley Trail in Cliff Cave County Park near St. Louis. A nice little 2.3 mile lollipop. For being so close to the city it was a nice hike, we are not sure if it is hiking guide worthy though. For example, we actually walked right along someone's backyard at one point and could hear traffic for almost the entire hike.

Any opinions by those who have been on it?

There is no shortage of Red Bud trees on this trail.

You gotta love the spring!

Not sure that I'd eat that one.

You Are All Invited!!!

We wanted to invite everyone again to the AEE Heartland Regional Conference.  If you're into bribes, we have donations from:

Keen
Headsweats
REI
Whole Foods
Restop
Chaco
Falcon Guides
National Geographic Maps
Leave No Trace
Going Green Promotional Products
Larabar
Oberle

Just to name a few.

If you can't make the whole Conference, then come for Saturday!  $70 to attend one day includes all meals and a chance to win items in the Silent Auction, to see the Keynote Speaker Seth Warren, and to watch the Adventure Film Festival!!!

This is a great opportunity!  Don't Miss It!!!!

Time to Hit the Trails!!!

We have taken a few days off to get caught up on some things like a book deadline and the acceptance of a FOURTH Falcon Guide book here in Missouri.  That's right, we are now working on Best Easy Day Hikes St. Louis, Best Hikes Near St. Louis, Best Easy Day Hikes Springfield, and most recently Best Easy Day Hikes Ozarks.

Keep an eye out for Best Easy Day Hikes Grand Staircase-Escalante and Hiking Grand Staircase-Escalante and Glen Canyon Region later this fall.

Hiking the "Goat Trail" in the Arkansas Ozarks

The Little Grand Canyon!!!

Today we hiked down into southern Illinois' Little Grand Canyon. This wasn't one for the hiking guide we are working on, it was just for fun. A 3 mile loop trail that takes you down a nice long ridge until you hit a switchback, which leads into the canyon. The canyon was pretty cluttered with debris from the "in-land hurricane" that blew through last year, but still quite nice.

You can see the Big Muddy river behind Emily and Aspen.

Descending into the canyon.

The debris cluttered trail.

White Oaks Trail

Today we hit up the 4.4 mile White Oaks Trail in Hawn State Park. Another perfect day for hiking! As usual, Arnie and Aspen really enjoyed the hike. We're gonna return later and hike the Whispering Pines trail also.

JD at the trailhead.

Arnie, blazing the trail.

Breaktime!

Hike #1 is in the Books!

We headed out to Babler Memorial State Park near Chesterfield, MO today for our first "Best Easy Day Hikes St. Louis" hike today. What an amazing early spring day! There were quite a few folks out enjoying the park as well but, as usual, we only needed to hike a short distance to get away from the crowds. The 2 mile Dogwood Trail is definitely gonna make the book. We'll return a little later this spring for some Dogwood pics, but here are some from today.

Emily making some adjustments to Aspen's new Ruff Wear gear.

Eastern Red Cedar tree.

Taking some trail notes.