Open My Eyes

Hike: Mountain Creek, Sat., 07/28/2007 10:00-12:00
Conditions: Hot! Mostly sunny, very muggy, calm.
Distance: 4 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Thoughts: Late start, was out until 01:00 callout from #1 Paper Machine. Changed camera settings to "Best" quality (150 pics/card). Saw so many things I had never observed before! YOU really opened up my eyes today, LORD. Velvet ant on trail creekside, several White Oaks in the riparian hardwood forest (how did I miss those before?). Message for tomorrow "Open My Eyes" (Acts 26:18)

Alabama Nature Center - July 21 Hike

Hike: Alabama Wildlife Federation Nature Center, Millbrook, AL 08:00-12:00
Conditions: Mostly sunny, hot, muggy, light breeze
Distance: 6 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Thoughts: Time included Nature Photography Seminar from 10:00-11:00. Enjoyable hike. A little more people on trails than last time due to photography seminar. Hiked some of the trails reverse to last time. Thank YOU, LORD for this place and for YOUR communion. Sermon topic for tomorrow, "Highway in the Wilderness" (Isa. 40:3)!

Washing Machine Blues (maybe a little off topic)

There are some things in life that we just don't pay much attention to unless they're not working... Yes, you guessed it; one of those is the washing machine. I can't say I think about it very much - at least not until yesterday when I had to work on it! It's amazing how we have come to expect all of these "modern conveniences" and how much stress they can cause when we no longer have access to them. I mean think about it, how many people in the world do not have access to washing machines - they seem to survive just fine. I'm afraid that we in the West have become too accustomed to having our desires met (not just our needs). Perhaps we need to focus more on what is really important.

Mountain Creek Late Afternoon Hike

Hike: Mountain Creek - Hardwood and Pine Forest Trails, Saturday, 7/14/2007 18:00-19:00CDT
Conditions: Cloudy, warm, muggy, a few sprinkles
Distance: 2 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Easy
Thoughts:

Late afternoon hike. Mostly cloudy and a few sprinkles. Comfortable hike. Shadows growing deeper in the hardwood forest due to time and clouds. No one else in the park. When I go this late, I'm always thinking about "what time are they going to lock the gates?" Very tranquil time. Good time to reflect on how YOU have blessed so much during this past week of VBS; most students and workers we have had in 10 years!

Cherokee Ridge - Deadening Trail

Hike: Deadening Trail, Cherokee Ridge, 07/07/2007, 08:30-12:00
Conditions: Cloudy, warm, muggy, on-off again sprinkling rain.
Distance: approximately 4 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Thoughts: Finally found this trail! They put out signs. Clouds and rain made it so much more enjoyable. Wonderful and exhilarating hike. Jasmine & Lichen Bluff (great overlook where I took a break), Needle's Eye (bouldered through the eye of the needle), Dark Cove, great views of Tallapoosa River cliffs, awesome rock formations and cliffs, beautiful hardwoods, vistas of Lake Martin, and birds (heard turkey on way out). Difficult but so worth it. Thank YOU, LORD, for surprising me with this new trail!