Ginger Schweikert is a Columbia, MO author whose debut book is “Columbia Trails: Over 300 miles of Hiking, Biking, and Horsing Around in Mid-Missouri.” It’s a guidebook for hikers, trail runners, bicyclists and equestrians in Mid-Missouri featuring over 300 miles of trails within 30 minutes of Columbia. Born and raised in Columbia, Schweikert has had many jobs and hobbies, including registered nurse, seamstress, circus performer and clothing designer. She was kind enough to take the time to be interviewed via email.
Daniel Boone Regional Library: Did you have a favorite trail while growing up in Columbia? Did that change after writing this book?
Ginger Schweikert: Growing up in Columbia, I used to hike at Rock Bridge State Park, specifically Gans Creek Wild Area, Grindstone Nature Area/Capen Park, Three Creeks Conservation Area, Smith Creek Loop of Mark Twain National Forest, and The Pinnacles Youth Park. I can’t say I particularly had a favorite. I have never been a favorite person. Even as a child, when asked my favorite color, I would reply “rainbow.” All of the above areas have their own charm.
I continue to frequent these same trails and have added several more that I discovered during the writing (or rather researching) of “Columbia Trails.” The Moon Loop of Mark Twain National Forest is a new favorite. Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary is also a new favorite due to its remote feel within neighborhoods. Another new gem is Breckenridge Hiking Trail that follows behind houses above Perche Creek on the western edge of town.
DBRL: Creating a guidebook of Columbia trails seems like an exhausting task. What was your biggest challenge in creating the book?
Schweikert: The biggest challenge I had writing “Columbia Trails” was deciding where to end the radius. Ultimately, I settled on including detailed descriptions and maps on trails within a 30-minute radius and including what I call “bonus” trails that lie within 30-60 minutes of town. The bonus trails have a more brief description and do not include maps.
The next biggest challenge was figuring out how to make a book — this included learning Adobe Illustrator to make maps and learning Microsoft Word for formatting. Also, editing was like climbing a mountain. I thought I was at the top, only to find another false peak. The formatting and editing phase of the book took nearly six months, which was way longer than I anticipated.
DBRL: Has your nursing training ever come in handy when you have been hiking?
Schweikert: I have come upon an uncomfortable amount of motorcycle accidents near trailheads while hiking out west. Being first on the scene, I have stabilized bodies and accessed wounds. Thankfully though, for the most part, hiking is my time to recharge. To me, it is like walking meditation. I let my mind flow, trying not to grasp onto ideas, just being present with my breath and my step. Sometimes I think through things and have grand epiphanies as well.
Currently, I am working as a psychiatric nurse. Hiking or walking in the outside world is scientifically proven to be beneficial for depression and anxiety. To be honest, that is how the book started. I moved back home during the pandemic after two decades away from Columbia. I started hiking again for my own sanity. On my walks, I realized Columbia needed a resource, so I decided to write one.
DBRL: At the end of the book you allude to a “next edition” sometime in the future. Would that just be a revision, or would you think of re-doing the book in a more significant way?
Schweikert: Question two leads into this question … I would love to produce a broader version of my book that includes all of central Missouri. I definitely plan to do more editions of “Columbia Trails” every 5-10 years as trails change all the time. Columbia has very active trail stewards. Comota (Columbia Missouri Trail Association), Columbia Parks and Recreation, Missouri State Parks and Columbia Audubon Society are continually making improvements, reroutes, and additions to our local trail system. During the two years I was writing this book, several trails rerouted, some “sprouted,” and multiple social trails got officially closed down for restoration. Ultimately, I have the dream of writing a similar guidebook to the trails for ALL of Missouri. Of course, the fun part for me is the research and the hiking. I have several other non-guidebook books up my sleeve, or shall I say “under my hat,” that I hope to manifest soon as well.
DBRL: Read anything good lately you’d like to recommend?
Schweikert: Oh my, I am always reading. I take deep dives into subjects and authors. For fiction, I devoured the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I have also recently been enjoying fiction authors Lily King and J.A. Baker.
I am currently in a deep dive on trees — reading “The Power of Trees” with “The Hidden Life of Trees” and “Finding the Mother Tree” in the queue. I just got out of a spiral learning about epigenetics from authors Joe Dispenza and Dr. Ben Lynch. Additionally, I am reading “The Buffalo River Handbook” cover to cover in preparation for paddling the Buffalo River this year. It is typical for me to be concurrently reading at least two physical books, several ebooks and audiobooks.
DBRL: Where can readers get a copy of your book?
Schweikert: My book is available for reference or check-out at DBRL! Come visit me in my rainbow pennant-adorned booth during Earth Day, April 21, on the west side of 8th street near the food court for a signed copy. You can find it for purchase in Columbia at Walt’s Bike Shop, Yellow Dog Bookshop, The State Historical Society of Missouri Bookstore, Tryathletics, and Alpine Shop. “Columbia Trails” is carried at Downtown Book and Toy in Jefferson City and Fulton’s Well Read Bookstore.
