Written by: Kenzie

Spring has officially arrived and I’m pretty happy about it. I love the cold weather, but I also love flowers and the bluebonnets and wildflowers have arrived roadside here in Texas and that just brings me joy. So, what better way to celebrate springtime that a lovely, languid walk in the woods?

This is especially a good idea in this time because it gets you out of the house for a bit so you can soak up some sunshine - everyone is in need of some vitamin D these days.

Hiking is one of my favorite ways to spend time in the great outdoors because it’s typically easy (unless you’re scaling a dang mountain), and affordable - sometimes even free! So, I just wanted to share a couple of things you should remember to take with you on your next hike.

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1. Small backpack

I say small because you don’t want to be carrying something heavy for too long, to gets annoying. A small one does the trick - it really just needs to be able to hold the rest of the things on this list and to tote back any cool rocks you find along the way. I have a blue Jansport backpack that I’ve literally had since high school and use for travel and hiking now. If you’re a super cool hipster, you can get those Fjallraven Kanken backpacks (you know, the once with the little fox as its logo), but those are ahem less than affordable.

2. Water bottle (Hydroflask!)

This isn’t sponsored, but a Hydroflask, to me, really is the ideal trail water bottle. They have a variety of sizes but I have the 32 ounce and It’s large enough to last and it keeps the water cold for so long! Also, if you bring your pup along, be sure there’s water for him or her too. I just got this dog water bottle from a company called PortaBottle+ that’s similar to this one from Amazon and it’s great. You can pour water into the attached bowl and then pour whatever they don’t drink back in so it isn’t wasted. There’s also super affordable collapsible pet bowls that you can just fill from your own water bottle if you prefer.

3. Snacks

If you’re hiking for more than an hour, you’re going to want some snacks. It’s just facts. Snack facts, if you will. Good trail snacks include, but are not limited to:

Bananas, apples, grapes, cheese and crackers, Goldfish, trail mix (lol), and jerky

Snacks are good because you can find an exceptionally pretty vista, pull some snacks out of your backpack, and take a moment for a rest and to take it all in.

4. Camera or journal (or both!)

I would say specifically to bring a camera, but everyone brings a camera everywhere now on their phone, so I added journal in too. It is fun, however, to bring a film camera (Polaroid, disposable camera, fancy antique ones) because of the nostalgia the look of film brings and because you don’t get to see your photos right away. It’s like a little surprise!

I suggest bringing a journal for any stray thoughts or feelings you have while on the trail. To me, being in nature is when I feel the closest to God, and also when I feel inspired, so it’s nice to have a journal to pull out when inspiration strikes. Journals are also good to have for pressing pretty flowers or foliage you find along the way.

5. Trail accessories

This sounds super boujee, but it’s actually very practical. I’m talking about a flannel for an extra layer in case it gets chilly (unlikely in Texas but it has been known to happen), a hair tie or scrunchy, and a hat. This is a rather broad list item, but those are my top three suggestions.

Here’s Callie look adventurous af on a cliff in Ireland. No big deal.

A short list for a fun time out in the wild. So, find your nearest state park or national forest (you can use this handy link), grab your gear, and hit the trails!