We decided to spend this unusually warm January day hiking at Meramec State Park.

First we stopped at an outfitter in Sullivan to get Jen a decent pair of boots and we got to the park a little after lunch. It was our first trip to Meramec and it has numerous hiking trails and beautiful camping and picnic facilities constructed in the 30's by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Geologic features are easy to see in the park including sinkholes, caves, losing streams and bluffs. Holden has been very hyper the last couple of days and we were determined to walk the energy out of him. We let him clear the path of all limbs that might pose a tripping hazard. It kept him moving along the trail dutifully throwing sticks off the trail.

We wrapped up the day with a trip to Bruno's for a dinner and a pint...