Life Verse:

"...I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." -- JESUS in John 10:10

Friday, December 16, 2011

Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail - 12/16/2011

Hike: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail (North & South), Fri., 12/16/2011, 08:45-11:15CST
Distance: 4 miles  Rating: 4.5/5.0
Difficulty: Moderate
Conditions: Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy.  Light breeze.  Temps: upper 60s to low 70s.  No one else on the trails.  Trails in good shape -- a little damp which prevents the pine straw from being slippery.  Lake below full pool (normal for this time of year).
Thoughts/Observations:

"Be still and know that I am GOD." was verse on my mind today.  What blessings YOU give us everyday, LORD GOD.  Thank YOU.

Diane being sick also occupied a lot of my thoughts -- she goes for a nuclear med scan of her gall bladder Monday morning.  My thoughts also turned to the future (my role at Liberty) and what it holds.  Of course I do not know what is in the future, but I am persuaded that YOU, LORD GOD, will take care of everything as I surrender to YOU

Observed two whitetail doe near the 3 mile point.  Carried binocs instead of digSLR -- made for a "close up" look at the deer as well as islands and landscapes.  I was amused at one of the doe stretching her neck to get a better look at me down below the ridgeline.  She obviously could not tell who (or what) I was.  Being wary (which is good) she stayed her distance.  Saw an old tin structure (possibly a shooting house) near the one mile mark situated on the lake-side of the trail largely hidden by pines.  Had never noticed it before, which attests to how well it is normally obscureced. 

Listening to the gentle slap of the waves along the shoreline I thought of family & friends that are so special to me.  Hope they have a wonderful Christmas and maybe they know I love and think about them.

Gear List:
MountainSmith Lumbar pack w/ 1st Aid & Survival Kit
1 Kleen Kanteen (water)
Merrell Chameleon hiking shoes
Gerber Prodigy
Swiss Hiking Staff
Simmons compact binoculars (7x35)

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