Inside The Thoughts Of An Outside Person
Hiking, Camping, Wandering, Adventure
Black Friday #OptOutside and 52 Hike Challenge
Last Friday, B and I set off super early (with Mountain Chick friend Bekah in tow!) for the 3 hour drive to Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby, IL. We were meeting our largest group hike yet – (a registered 48 people) in the parking lot of the visitor’s center.
We got there a little after 10am (meeting time was 10:30) so I ran up to the bathroom and my buddy Bailey (@hikin_gal) surprised me by coming out when I thought she couldn’t make it!!!! I was so happy to see her and fellow Southern Illinois girls Emily & Haley!! 
REI, NuttZo peanut butter, KRAVE Bar, PROBar and 52 Hike Challenge supplied us with great snacks and items that made for fun grab bags and I handed them out to the first 24 arrivals. We played a game of “Guess the number of M&Ms in the trailmix” for a chance to win one of 2 $25 REI gift cards – and ironically one of the winners was celebrating her 52nd hike that very day!!!
Our final headcount was 32! A couple people missed the group photo, but I was absolutely thrilled with this turn out!
We hiked about 5 miles, met a ton of new friends, and enjoyed the beautiful weather!
I was also finally able to meet fellow Mountain Chicks Midwest Ambassador Kelly!! She lives in Chicago but is moving to San Diego soon. Grateful we got this day together before she leaves!! 
We all had such an incredible day! I am so thankful for this community. Thank you to the sponsors and to everyone that came out on Black Friday!!
J
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Mountain Chicks Ambassador – Midwest Chapter
Gear Forward – Illinois
Epic Social Board Member & Adventurer
2018 Honey Stinger Hive Ambassador
Wow congrats on a huge turnout! And that trail looks gorgeous! I love your sign idea, I may have to steal that for my Girls Who Hike meetups!
It really helps with making sure everyone finds the group!! We had a great time! Hope yours was a success as well 😃
You are incredibly amazing and I just admire you so very much. You are a fantastic Mountain Chick and ambassador and I really really really can’t wait to meet you. I’m keeping my eyes peeled for the next hiking weekend and going to make a point to travel to you. It’s a great excuse to travel and explore more places anyway 🙂 <3
I love this so much 😭😭😭 I will have to make sure it’s closer to your neck of the woods!! We neeeed to hang out!!! ❤❤❤
Great post and amazing state park! This is actually the park that started my love for hiking about 10 years ago. There is something magical about this place. One of Illinois treasures for sure!! So cool to see and learn about your hiking group! Amazing!!
We loved it! Such a neat place.