wildlife – Dirty Girl Adventures

Hiking in Cold Weather? What to wear?

Posted by: deniseselbeekoch Posted on: January 9, 2018

Baby, it’s cold outside! This is awesome! No bugs! No spider webs! The poison ivy and brush is dead! Winter is also a great time to spot wildlife. Without the leaves on the trees, it’s easier to see wildlife. Eagles nest in the winter and are very active in Northeast Kansas.

17309013_755567654617820_4530848775840871124_n — Three Dirty Girls during a March Hike

We recommend dressing in layers for winter hiking. Start with a base layer of long johns or winter running tights with a long john shirt or winter compression shirt. Wear fleece, wool or synthetic poly blend fabrics. Wearing this layer of poly-blend fabrics close to your skin will keep you warm and wick any moisture away from your body. Cotton holds moisture and takes longer to dry it is NOT recommended.

eaglehike15 — Our favorite Eagle Hike EVER! A random blizzard made the adventure special!

Thick, cushioned socks: wool, polypropylene, or synthetic. You could consider a thin “liner” sock combined with medium to thick outer sock.

Follow your base layer with more layers, preferably more fleece! Finish with a wind/water resistant jacket on top and some wind resistant pants on the bottom – any pants will work but wind and water resistant are handy. Again, non-cotton fabrics – fleece, wool or synthetic poly-blend fabrics are best. They dry faster and move moisture away from your body.

We also suggest using hiking poles. Winter weather can create slippery spots and surprising places. If you know you will be hiking on an uneven trail, take your hiking poles to help you maintain balance on difficult sections.

20170311_111846 — Open spaces are colder and standing still for too long is a mistake!

Synthetic gloves or mittens – mittens are preferred for warmth. Wear a warm hat: fleece, wool or synthetic or possibly a head band that covers your ears. It’s also great to have something to cover your face, even a bandana helps.

It’s also handy to bring your backpack to put the layers into as you warm up along the trail! Depending on the distance you plan to hike, be sure to take water, snacks, a fully charged phone for emergencies and a friend!

JJJWeagle15 — Love these two women. LAYERS!

CANCELLED!! Due to severe weather. January 1st, 2018

Posted by: deniseselbeekoch Posted on: December 20, 2017

Join us and the rest of the nation for a FIRST DAY HIKE! We will be helping out at the Perry State Park First Day Hike on January 1st, 2018 at 10am for a 2.5 mile hike! Start your 2018 with a nature connection! Free, and open to all ages and genders – 2.5 mile hike with no registration required. Show up with your people! 😀 2018 First Day Hike Flyer

Dirty Girl Camp Weekend

Posted by: deniseselbeekoch Posted on: July 14, 2016

Yes, this year our annual September Retreat will be a little different – WE’RE GOING TO CAMP! Remember going to camp when you were a kid? Bunk beds, dining hall, campfires and s’mores? Yep, this retreat will have all of those things and more! We are going to be staying at Camp White on Council Grove Reservoir in the Flint Hills!! It is BEAUTIFUL THERE! Time to get away for a weekend to refresh and rejuvenate! (This is an event just for Dirty Girls!)

WHEN: September 23rd, 24th and 25th

WHERE: Camp White – located on Council Grove Reservoir in the Flint Hills

TIME: Arrive Friday September 23rd between 4:30 – 7:30pm leave Sunday September 25th in the afternoon on your own schedule after 12pm (we will have activities until noon then you get a “to go” lunch to eat any where you choose – including your favorite spot at camp)

MEALS: Campfire and treats at 7:30pm Friday, three meals on Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday, coffee, tea and snacks provided throughout the weekend

LODGING: We will bunk out in Big Red Cabin. We will share “suites” and sleep in bunk beds! You bring your bedding, pillows and towels as well as personal care items.

ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Kayaking, High Ropes Course, Art project, Restorative Yoga Stretching, Instruction in Mindfulness, Mindful Walking in the Labyrinth, Spirit Spots, time alone, cultivation of personal growth, increased self awareness and more personal connections!!!!

Please know that if you are worried about any of these activities and your own ability to participate, that they are all adaptable, this is a self challenge weekend!

BRING: Comfortable clothing that will accommodate changing temperatures and activities throughout the weekend, bedding, towel and toiletries, at least two pair of shoes, camera, an open mind and heart, a book, downloaded music and headphones, hat, sunscreen, bug spray.

COST: $350 Regular and $300 Club Sign up NOW in the Dirty Shop!

More details as we think of them will be sent in an email before CAMP!

DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT: SEPTEMBER 1st, 2016 with no refunds available. Earlier is better.

REFUNDS: Due to the planning time, lodging and meal components of this event, after August 23rd there will be no refunds. Extenuating circumstances will be considered.

Dirty Girls Got Away!

Posted by: deniseselbeekoch Posted on: June 20, 2016

In April, the Dirty Girls took some time to Get Away and enjoy a Dirty Girls Weekend. We traveled to the Lied Lodge and Conference Center in Nebraska City (beautiful and comfortable) for some time to pamper ourselves and to spend quality time together.

FB_IMG_1462148873058

We couldn’t just relax inside the whole time so we also spent the day exploring Indian Cave State Park. It is a gorgeous park with great hiking trails. Spring brought lush green foliage to the trail which, against all odds, was uphill both ways! 20160430_120132

We enjoyed the weekend together both on the trail and at the lodge. It was a good time to cultivate both “me” time and our relationships with old friends and new.

FB_IMG_1462148932764

20160430_184746

We were joined by poet and actress, Annette Hope Billings, on Saturday evening. She shared some of her poetry with us and then led us in discussion of our experience. This was an insightful experience and it resulted in a wonderful poem written by our entire group. It was an intense experience to be part of sharing thoughts and feelings that we often hold close to our hearts and leave unsaid. We love Annette and hope that you will visit her website to learn more about her work.

IMG_20160501_094803

We have been busy kayaking and hiking so this story seems belated but it was a WONDERFUL weekend and we loved every minute of it! We believe that the pictures and the fruit or our labors (this poem Annette so skillfully pulled out of us) tells the true story of our time together!

20160430_182701
20160430_181745 20160430_182744

20160430_111820

The Path To Be Free

We began our journey in a world of green

turned lush like velvet beneath a covering of clouds.

We entered a wilderness as sacred as a church,

where our hymns became the songs of frogs,

and choruses of raindrops falling on a canopy of leaves

and the fluttering wings of startle birds.

20160430_121737

We walked in worship there

where the sheer absence of sound

brought us to a place of peace.

We marveled at the contrast of intentionally-burned stumps

that served to brighten the green of thriving trees.

20160429_141026

We walked on in our snowless globe of mist

where even the struggle of steep, muddy climbs

was no match for our resilience.

20160430_114625

The expected downpour kept at bay,

we hiked paths that were like our lives.

Some began straight, then turned into curves

and easy valleys morphed to difficult hills.

20160429_134926

We stepped back into long-forgotten boxes of childhood

where being outside was our second home.

Our eyes took in the gifts of Paw-Paw trees

and watched Jack-in-the-Pulpit preach as we walked by.

20160430_105330

We took in the lessons the Mighty Mo taught us—

that swift currents of life can steal our control,

and precious is the time we make for ourselves

and golden are the memories of hearts lit with laughter.

20160430_120212

We take home the gifts of time spent with amazing women,

and the powerful synergy of achieving a common goal,

and pictures that capture bonds strengthened with old friends

along with connections made between friends who are new.

We will return to lives that will tend to confine us,

but now we have Dirty Girl knowledge of the path to be free.

Annette Hope Billings and The Dirty Girls of the 2016

Indian Cave State Park Hike and Lied Lodge Adventure

Lessons from the Trail

Posted by: deniseselbeekoch Posted on: May 16, 2016

On Saturday, May 7th, 2016, Dirty Girl Adventures hosted a family friendly, 3 mile hike at Slough Creek Education Point!!! Representatives from the Jefferson County Conservation District, Corps of Engineers, local 4-H club and Kansas Wildlife and Parks joined us! Over 40 adults, 20 kids and 6 dogs came OUTSIDE for a day at the lake!

This was a special event, in many ways! The day dawned hotter than expected, and we got participants as young as 1 year up to age 70 out on the trail to hike. This unique hike was meaningful to participants, and we wanted to share some lessons from the trail with YOU!

LESSON #1: GET DIRTY!! LITERALLY!! Take off your shoes and get mud between your toes! No matter your age, it feels really good to play and be silly!!! After a hot 3 mile hike, the children at the DOWN AND DIRTY had an impromptu water fight!!!! The joy in their faces was contagious, and a few adults joined in!!!

LESSON #2: LIFE IS NOT A RACE! (And neither was the DOWN AND DIRTY Family Friendly hike!) Young, old and in between, we all walked the same path, TOGETHER! Our experience was about being together, unplugging from our daily lives and exploring!

LESSON #3: BE MINDFUL OF THE SIMPLE PLEASURES! Sometimes, it is easier to live in the moment while on the trail. Hikers at the DOWN AND DIRTY took the sights and sounds of our adventure home with us, to remind us of time with friends and family OUTSIDE!

LESSON #4: SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO CHARGE THROUGH! On the trail, just like in life, we are all faced with obstacles. Due to recent rain, a small portion of the trail at Slough Creek Education Point was covered with water!!! The DOWN AND DIRTY Hikers had different responses to this barrier!! Some chose a new route and others went “off road” to find a new path. Other hikers just charged through the water!!!

LESSON #5: GO OUTSIDE AND MOVE YOUR BODY WHENEVER YOU CAN! We walked about 3 miles at the DOWN AND DIRTY, which is far for some, and not so far for others. But the important thing was that we were outside, moving our bodies for health and wellness!

LESSON #6: EVERY ADVENTURE IS UNIQUE!! The DOWN AND DIRTY Family Friendly Hike was an OPPORTUNITY for adventure! Although DIRTY GIRL ADVENTURES created the event and the activities, it was the PARTICIPANTS who made their adventure SPECIAL!!

THANK YOU FOR COMING OUTSIDE WITH US!!

Denise and Jenn

Down and Dirty 3 Mile Hike

Posted by: deniseselbeekoch Posted on: March 25, 2016

It’s time for a Dirty Family adventure! Are you ready for a short hike and a great time? This is it! This hike is appropriate for all abilities – we have pavement and some pasture hills to climb for those who choose the “off-road” route.

10690083_1562790633949292_7689214310760781380_n

It’s a day at the lake, unplug and slow down to enjoy your peeps and yourself at the Lake. Plan a special day for your family, Dirty Kids of all ages are free! Have you been searching for a way to connect with and unplug your kid? Come spend the afternoon with the Dirty Girls! DSCF4802

Bring your Dirty Dude, Dirty Mom, Dirty Dad, Dirty Friends…. oh, and a chair for around the campfire! We will have some special activities throughout the afternoon to provide some extra entertainment for you and yours.

10295801_1491802664381423_6430198979453409756_n_thumb.jpg

WHEN: May 7th, check in time is 12:30pm

WHERE: Slough Creek Education Conservation Point – From Oskaloosa go South on Hwy 59 to 70th Road, turn west onto 70th at the T intersection turn left onto Kiowa Road – follow signs

COST: $30 per adult – school age youth are FREE – a donation to the Conservation District will be made from your fee. SIGN UP NOW IN THE DIRTY SHOP!

WHAT: A 3 Mile scenic hike along a paved trail (pasture path available for those who’d like a hill climb) wheel chair and stroller accessible.

WHO: You and your family, friends – all ages are welcome!

WHAT ELSE: Time around the campfire, bring a chair, bring a picnic, connect with friends, hands on activities, plan to spend the afternoon at the lake

Join us for the Spring Fling! Register HERE!

What is the Spring Fling? It’s an 8 mile hike along the Perry Lake Trail! The section that we will be hiking on March 28th, includes both fields and woodlands as we travel along the side of Lake Perry. Below are all the Dirty Peeps who hiked with us on our very first hike last March 2014! We had a great time! Although we won’t be hiking the same section of the Perry Lake Trail, I bet we will have another great time! This hike is open to all Dirty Peeps – Dudes, Kids (must be able to hike 8 miles) and, of course, Dirty Girls!

The trail is rough and uneven with mild inclines/declines along the way. We will expect to travel at a pace of about a 30 minute mile – give or take! We will pause for snacks, rest and scenic views along the way!

When: Saturday March 28th, 2015

Time: Check-in between 9am and 9:30am

Pre-Register by 3-20! $25 Regular Peeps, $20 Club Members (Includes bus ride, trail guide and support, snacks at the end) REGISTER HERE on the Dirty Shop under Events! We will hike regardless of cold or snow – cancellation may occur due to wet conditions or severe weather. Refunds are not available after the 20th as the bus and food will have been paid for by that date!

Where: The Slough Creek Campground Group Camp Area at Lake Perry!

Wear/Bring: Plan to wear long pants regardless of temperature. The Perry Lake Trail is a wilderness trail and there will be brushy sections. Bring water and snacks for along the trail If you don’t have a hydration pack, a string bag or small back pack would be handy for water and a few good snacks. Remember, we will be hiking 8 miles, that’s a lot of calories and energy expended. You need both protein and some sugar to keep your energy flowing – good protein bars, trail mix, an apple!

The Basic Plan: We will have feet on the trail by 10am and we should be relaxing around the campfire with some food and BYO beverages by 2ish. Dirty Girl Adventures will furnish a variety of snacks and water at the Campfire. Plan to bring snacks and water for the hike! You may choose to bring adult beverages to enjoy at the end of the hike. Please plan to bring a chair for around the campfire!

A variety of shirts will be available on the day of the event!

Last year it was pretty chilly – who knows what this year will bring!

Scenes from the trail 2014! It is already greener than last year was!

We will be doing a different 8 mile section of the Perry Lake Trail than we did last March. This section will take us from the north end of the trail back to Slough Creek Campground for hanging out by the fire. We will make a stop at this awesome rock beach!

Dirty Girls’ Get Away!

Posted by: deniseselbeekoch Posted on: February 17, 2015 adventure , adventures , art , brave , challenge , cool stuff , Dirty Girl Club , Dirty Girls , Get Away , go outside , hike , Indian Cave State Park , Lied Lodge , Missouri River , retreat , river , trail

There is exactly one month left to register (Deadline March 16th) for the amazing, first of its kind – Dirty Girls’ Get Away which is scheduled for April 17th, 18th and 19th! We will be visiting the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City, Nebraska. It is a gorgeous and comfortable lodge with many amenities!

From gorgeous rooms, great food, pool, jacuzzi, spa and wines made on site at the Arbor Day Farm! In fact, I’m hoping to participate in the Friday night wine tasting that they offer – $5 for 4 tastes – surely I’ll find one I like!

We will spend Friday evening relaxing and socializing in the Lied Lodge. As is usual with us Dirty Girls, the Tribal Gathering and social time will be divine! We will share some life stories and encouragement as we prepare for a day of hiking on Saturday. Our goal is to build you up and encourage you to challenge yourself to enjoy new adventures! Doesn’t this little spot look like a nice place to hang out and chat with some Dirty Girls?

Saturday, after a delicious breakfast, we will carpool to “Nebraska’s best kept secret” Indian Cave State Park!

We will spend Saturday hiking the trails along the Mighty Missouri River. The hills and bluffs offer excellent views from the 25 miles of trails throughout the park. The Dirty Mama’s have mapped out a hike that can accommodate the short hiker and the long hiker! We will enjoy a boxed lunch on the trail (included in your cost and furnished by the Lied Lodge).

I enjoyed a great weekend with my wonderful friends last year which is when the plan for this Dirty Girl Get Away was hatched! Although we camped, we experienced a pretty cold night and lots of blowing dirt so we thought that it would be well worth it to combine comfort with our outdoor adventure! The packages that we have created are designed to meet the financial situation of a variety of Dirty Girls. (This is a Dirty Girl only event – no Dudes – but it is open to both club members and others.) The packages all include lodging, breakfast in the mornings Saturday and Sunday, Saturday lunch and dinner with one beverage. If you can’t get away on Friday, it is a short 2 hour drive to join us Saturday morning!

For the short hikers, local exploration in Indian Cave State Park includes a variety of pretty cool spots that you can visit with MacGyver Julie while the long hikers keep moving. The day should be beautiful! After a full day, we will return to the Lied Lodge for some chillaxing and a delicious dinner in the Timber Lodge (instead of a tent!)!

We will provide a really cool commemorative craft during the evening hours as well as some quality social time with a focus on self-care and refreshing your spirit! Sunday morning, we will leisurely enjoy breakfast together, then enjoy a relaxing hike into the Arbor Day Farm Grounds to visit the Treehouse 50 feet in the air! It looks SO cool! Then we will all head home, refreshed and rejuvenated (oh, who am I kidding we will most likely be a bit tired from such an awesome time!).

Check out this event in the Dirty Shop and get signed up now! You can choose the package that best fits you. Make a plan and sign up with a roommate or for the Deluxe Solo Package. All the details are available here!

Hope you can join us! Questions? Email me at deniseselbeekoch@gmail.com!

Hike with the Eagles! SOLD OUT!!!

Posted by: deniseselbeekoch Posted on: January 25, 2015

Come out to hike with the Dirty Girls and see some Eagles!

DSCF4810 (2) A chilly but scenic time to hike, February is THE prime time to see American Bald Eagles in their natural habitat – right here in Kansas!

We will assess the weather and choose our distance and specific location accordingly as we get closer to the date. This will be a progressive hike! On Saturday February 28th, we will meet at the Crooked Post Winery in Ozawkie at 9:30am to load the party bus then progress to first one, then a second hiking and viewing location. We anticipate that hikes at both locations will be 3 miles or less for a total of approximately 6 miles, but our final decision on locations and distance will be based on weather. This entire event will be appropriate for beginners of all ages. While we will NOT be on any paved trails but the terrain will be natural, through the woods or fields but NOT technical, extremely steep or rocky. Plan to bring water, snacks or lunch to eat throughout the day. You will also need to dress in layers and wear clothing appropriate for the weather on the day of the hike.

After hiking and viewing, we will return to the winery around 1:30ish to warm up and socialize a bit. We will provide some tasty snacks and hot chocolate post-hike. The Crooked Post Winery will be open for your tasting pleasure as well! Check them out herewww.crookedpostvineyard.com!

What to Bring: Comfy shoes, dress in layers, bring your own snacks/lunch, water, bring your camera, bring binoculars

Register now in the Dirty Shop!