If you guys are anything like me, you get the winter blues pretty badly too. It is so difficult to stay motivated during the colder months. Once it warms up though I want to spend all of my time outside! This last weekend I was sitting in the cafeteria with my best friend and we were contemplating what to do for the day. It was slightly chilly and overcast so we weren't too keen on being outside. However, we both a text from a mutual friend wondering if we wanted to go hiking with her and another friend of ours. It was the perfect opportunity!
Where we were headed, I had been to my freshman year and it is one of my favorite spots. There is a broken down castle, a cave, wildlife, and this one spot where you have to climb over 300 steps! What was amazing about the day is that the sun came out when we arrived and it turned into a gorgeous 70 degree day; perfect hiking weather! We were lucky enough to see beavers and several turtles sunning on the rocks.
The next day, I was asked by my good friend, Baylen, if I wanted to go to the same park and hike with him. This time we took different trails and I was able to see another part of the state park that I had never been on before. Again it was a gorgeous day and I got to see otters for the first time in the wild.
I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such great friends and be able to see different parts of the country. Missouri has become my home away from home and I cannot believe the semester ends in thirteen days! 
