Holy cow! How are we already through October? Last month totally flew by and it’s crazy that we’re into the final two months of 2024. October has been settling us further and further into the dark, cozy season. I have mixed feelings about it. I love the coziness of the fall and then winter, but I just feel like I can’t accomplish quite as much as I want to during these days. I’m working on spinning that mindset though, preparing to spend time bundled up outside in the cold this winter and, lastly, staying active through the cooler months as well.
Travel Planning This Month
My mom and I booked our first girls trip since we went to Iceland in 2017 together. It’s going to be a quick weekend trip up to Hermann, Missouri to check out the Christmas festivities in this little “German town” along the Missouri River. I’ve wanted to go for a long time and I’m excited to get to go with my mom to celebrate our favorite holiday together.
I did a lot of planning on my solo road trip for next year. Yes, it’s 10 months out, but I had a solo night that I didn’t have the focus to write and I just didn’t want to hike. So, I did some trip planning and I’ve got some really rad stops planned on this trip in both Colorado and Utah. I have a “must” list and I’m slowly adding some other things to an “if I have time” list. But I feel like I’ll be cramming as much into this trip as humanly possible for me.
Travel In October
Our first adventure in October was a day trip to Arkansas. While we spend a lot of time there, we got to do something completely different and new for us. We went trail riding with my brother and my sister-in-law! It was so much fun! They have a 4 seater side-by-side, so we went and rode some trails at Buffalo Ranch! We did a couple little walks to overlooks and to some waterfalls that were all dry, but still beautiful and fun to explore. After riding we had lunch and spotted some buffalo on the ranch – one of my favorite animals! – and then we made our way to hike Hawksbill Crag! It was their first time hiking there and the fall color was already starting to pop, so that was so fun! It was a really great day and all our kiddos had fun with Mimi and Papa too!
Our next trip was up to St Louis for a bucket list concert! We had the privilege of seeing Twenty One Pilots on their next to last stop on the Clancy Tour. It was incredible. It was our first time seeing them live, but I can assure you that it will not be the last. They played for over two hours and I danced and screamed my head off the whole freaking time! Then, my parents kept the kids for the whole day on Friday so we could work from St. Louis. Matt has the luxury of working remote, and I can obviously blog from anywhere so it was a beautiful opportunity to spend the day together. We got to have lunch with Stacey, which was a huge treat and I was able to truly focus on writing for almost a full day. That’s always a good feeling.
The last weekend of the month, I attempted the BRT over a weekend. It’s a 37 mile hike the goes along the Buffalo National River. I love this area, and I love a challenge, so I truly wanted to take this on. I did not make it in one weekend, but I plan to finish it out this fall. I learned so much about myself and about hiking these longer trips. I’m sad that I wasn’t able to complete this, but it’s also an inspiration for what I still need to work on and accomplish… And I do love a challenge.
Travel Laughs and Mishaps this Month
My experience hiking (part of) the BRT sort-of felt like a mishap. Truthfully, the last time I carried a pack for a full day of hiking was 2013. I’d been training a lot, getting in a ton of hiking miles but not getting in hiking with a pack. I had a thought that I should be doing that, but always got self conscious about taking a 28 liter pack on my local trails. Now, I realize that was stupid. I needed that training. I did 14.65 miles the first day and I was very humbled by the experience. I also got blisters like you wouldn’t believe. Needless to say, the BRT was not completed in a weekend for me. And I told Matt that I was upset that I wasn’t capable of it in one go and he said pretty much the perfect thing anyone could say… “Yet.” So this is a goal I have for next year again. To do the BRT in a weekend.
Blog Posts from October
Monthly Recap: September 2024: This is the monthly recap, just like this one, from last month! Check out the adventures, mishaps, planning and more we did in September.
Stargazing at Delicate Arch – Arches National Park, Utah: This post is about our beautifully unforgettable experience hiking up to Delicate Arch to see the Milky Way rise over it and our less beautiful but equally unforgettable trip back down to our car.
The Ultimate Gift Guide for National Park Lovers: I’ve been dreaming this post up for years. But, honestly, it just seemed like every single time I sat down to write it, time flew and it was January. This year, though, I was on it and I made a list that, as a national park lover, I would love or I own every single item on this list!
Things to Know Before Visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky: I’ve been working on this series over the course of the year to create posts with info I feel is important to know before visiting specific national parks and this time it’s Mammoth Cave! I’ve visited the park twice now and these are the things I would want to know before visiting Mammoth Cave National Park.
Local Adventures in October
We did a lot of local adventures outside. Some together, some solo and some with friends. It was great to get to explore the area and experience some of the fun that’s right outside our backdoor.
I took Liam to our local zoo, Wonders of Wildlife and even a couple of parks for our Liam/Mama dates. I am so loving this weekly tradition with him.
We saw Bluey’s Big Play at our local theatre and Charleigh loved it. My in-laws treated us to this experience and it was unforgettable. There are things I would’ve changed about the plot, but for Charleigh it was just so much fun! Liam was still a little young for it but he did enjoy it.
I hit so many local trails trying to get a ton of miles in, which I did. And it felt really, really good! I loved seeing the leaves change colors too! I love fall in the Ozarks so, so much.
My mom and I went to Ozark Craft Fair which is always a lot of fun. There are treats, food trucks, crafts, clothing and so much more! It’s so fun to get to check out the cute stuff there. We got some fun, festive shirts, I got some Christmas gifts, and some Mikes Seasoning. We put it on or in 75% of the things we fix. It’s so freaking good!
Checking out some local coffee shops with my dear friend Shea. We went to two this month that I’d never been to before: Pretty in Pink Coffee and The Baked Bean.
Best Thing I Ate In October
Hands down, Pappy’s in St. Louis takes the cake again for the best thing I had to eat in the month of October. I love barbecue and for me, the sides are just as important as the meat. This go-around, I had the best combination I could’ve possibly had: pulled pork sandwich, homemade applesauce and the grilled corn. Holy cow, everything was perfect! Combine it with a sweet tea and… chef’s kiss!
What I Read in October
I finished the Outlander Series on audiobook and then listened to my first CoHo novel, which, of course, was It Ends with Us. I listened to this book in about 2 days – fast for me since I’ve got little ones. I really admired the strength of Lily and understanding and support of those around her. It was an interesting and heart-breaking insight into domestic violence and what it takes to claw oneself out of it or how easy it is to slip back in. I also listened to the second book: It Starts with Us. This was actually my preference between the two. *SPOILER* It was a lot more romance and I liked getting more Atlas, along with his perspective.
Okay, y’all. Let’s talk about Fourth Wing. I’ve been slowly reading it since January or February. I just really struggle finding time for reading a physical book, even though I’d much prefer that. I was genuinely enjoying the story, but couldn’t find the focus, a lot of time, after getting the kids down. So, I got it on audible and holy cow! I tore through this book and it’s freaking worth the hype! It’s the best work of fiction I read this year. I’m currently listening to Iron Flame, of course – the next book in the series. I am hooked.
I’m still trucking through How to Raise a Wild Child and Braiding Sweetgrass. I am still loving these books, don’t take my slow pace as disinterest. I’m just super slow when it comes to reading physical books post-kids.
Most Popular Instagram Post & Reel This Month
I fell off the Instagram wagon this month after a really good month in September. However, of the things I did post in October, my solo hiking posts were the most popular. The actual is a little bit about my attempt on the BRT. And the reel is a cheeky little reel about what granola girls want. Here’s a hint – it’s not money and fancy things.
Life Updates in October
We got into the Halloween spirit this year. We actually did some decorating outside this year and I’m so into it! Charleigh got really into it too and I’m pretty obsessed with Liam walking around saying Happy How-ween! We had our annual Halloween gathering of family and friends and enjoyed trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. We have a super festive neighborhood, so it’s really fun hosting at our house and it was extra fun actually decorating this year. Plus, we had the cutest witch and pumpkin I’ve ever seen!
We had our first kiddo with a broken bone this month too. Charleigh accidentally smashed her finger at school and it ended up being a nasty little fracture on her fingertip. It was so hard on me, but I made it through the experience of dealing with a broken bone and a little one in serious pain. She was a trooper and will have a brace on through the week of November.
My best friend had two wedding ceremonies this weekend to celebrate their marriage! One was an Afghan ceremony, celebrating Hashmat’s culture and the other was a Western ceremony. Alaina was the most beautiful bride and we’re just so excited to have been able to celebrate the love these two share.
What’s Coming in November?
Our travel schedule slows waaaaay down staring in November and our cozier season at home begins. Luckily, it gives me more time to get caught up on content – I’ve got so much to share from this year that I’m excited to keep cranking out. I love this season of being home and I’m really looking forward to the holidays this year, it’s always a little sad to have our travel slow down for the year. I will be putting up my normal ridiculous number of Christmas trees over the first couple weeks of the month (one tree and our outside lights are already up ha!) and we’ll officially have a two year old when we celebrate Liam’s 2nd birthday this month, as well!
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