Virtual Field Trip- Lakes of Missouri

We have been really fortunate to have an extremely pleasant summer weather wise this year. I'm talking ridiculously mild. Beautiful scenery, cool breezes, and best of all a complete lack of humidity. My hair has really loved it.

Anyways, the point of all of this wonderful weather talk is that it makes for very enjoyable hiking and exploration weather. Lots of walking has been happening here, and I have been privileged to have friends who also love to walk and take in the scenery. I have been to random rope swings, parks, the big tree, developing neighborhoods, and even down the pedestrian paths to Walmart. The other day, Brittany and I were in want of a new path and so I decided to take her to a path by a dog park I had been to a few times.

While driving there I was ranting about something or another and passed the spot that I had intended to turn onto. I kept driving and came upon an exit for the MKT trail that I had never noticed on my many drives down Forum. What the heck, I thought, and turned in and parked. We began our journey down the wide and very accessible MKT trail. Various people passed by us, a woman walking her dog and a few hippy looking bikers. I am in the bad habbit of listening to everyone, so you can imagine my intrigue when I overheard the very rough hippy-esque woman on a bike tell her friend the third member of their party had stopped at the lake.


"A lake would be amazing right now," was
the exact thought that crossed my mind at that moment. Luckily the same thought crossed Brittany's mind and we decided to find this lake.

We did not have to walk far at all to find the trail that branched off toward a lovely field with much greenery. The gravel path wound around the field which then turned into a beautiful lake and wildlife area. I was absolutely astonished. Seriously? Seriously. How had I never known this existed?

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There were wildflowers and tall grasses; old trees and benches with dedication engraved onto them lined the pathway circling the lake.

Strolling around the lake was not only and enjoyable setting for scenery but also for conversation. Twin Lakes is so engaging, I went back the next week with Marissa and caught the lake at sunset. If you are in Columbia, this should be a must see for you. If not, go find a spot like this near you. They pop up in the most surprising places!

Virtual Field Trip- Chicago Botanical Garden

The first weekend I arrived in Chicago, I took a trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden. It's free to the public, but parking is $20 unless you have a yearly pass. The garden's 385 acres are overwhelmingly beautiful and I easily found myself lost while winding through the various paths of the 23 different themed gardens. I had the desire to see and touch every plant, flower, and vegetable, but we were on a mission.

We had to come watch the Garden Chef Series where chefs from various restaurants around the Chicago area come to the outdoor kitchen to give cooking demonstrations. Renown chefs such as Rick Bayless and Gale Gand have been featured here which made my anticipation for the demo high. Today's chef was Janine MacLachlan from the Rustic Kitchen, a cooking school located two hours outside of Chicago on a secluded farm. She was bubbly and fun and gave a wonderful demonstration on my favorite foods such as granola and ginger ale, and I even learned how to make a ginger plumb clafoutis. I highly recommend this super easy desert to anybody who likes pie but does not want the hassle of making a crust.

After eating the samples from the demo (they were only one bite which was not nearly enough) we perused through the pepper and vegetable gardens. The foods are cultivated to perfection with rows and rows of peppers, eggplants, and swiss chard surrounded by the largest heads of lettuce I have ever come across. The only aspect that is not perfectly lovely about these plants is that they can not be picked and cooked up.



The Botanic Garden is by far my new favorite place in Chicago. I can not wait to go back a thousand times and explore every facet of the expansive awesomeness.