Barton's Beach Nature Preserve and Grist SP

I had been thinking about this hike all week, pouring over maps and info from the web. I had never heard of this preserve before. It's web-description did it justice. Was most unlike any place I have hiked - the facilities are very unique in their architecture (thanks to Auburn Univ students!) and the area is really a large swamp (ox bow lakes and the Cahaba River).


This hike was more physical than spiritual due to the constant harassment of flies, mosquitoes, and the like. (Time to get out the DEET for hikes for the rest of the summer.) How easy we are distracted from what GOD is trying to tell us or do in our lives. We get distracted by the small "gnats" of this world. Help us LORD to keep YOU in focus no matter the distraction. May we all walk daily in YOUR SPIRIT!

Grist SP was small but nice. Lake Grist is peaceful (about 100 acres) and stocked well with bass and other fish. Primitive and full-service sites are available. Looks to be a good site for a weekend getaway - to really get away from the rush of city life. Hope to bring an RA group here for a campout later this summer. Only got to hike one of the trails. Nice hardwood and pine upland forest. Thank YOU LORD for the beautiful area we live in and the places YOU show me to hike!

Hiking Mtn Creek Park

Saturday morning hike at Alabama Confederate Memorial Park in Mountain Creek.
Wx: Sunny, light breeze, v-e-r-y warm.

Trail Conditions: No one else at the park this early (hiked the trail from 8:30 to 9:15am). Chipmunks, squirrels, birds, frogs, lizards, and big ants kept me company. Gnats and mosquitoes beginning to show up as well. May need DEET on next hike here. Took several pics.

Thoughts:
This is still my favorite place to hike. The tranquil setting and solitude allows me to focus on YOU, LORD and what YOU may be telling me. Today was no exception. I had been pondering exactly what message to bring tomorrow for our Commencement Service honoring Diane. YOU pointed me to Colossians 2 and 3.

My heart was also stirred by Psalm 147. This is the perfect Psalm for a hiker! It describes exactly how I feel each time I am able to hike. (Same thoughts and feelings I experienced as a young teen in the woods behind home.)

I am also inspired to bring a Sermon Series on HikingThe Life Trail. This could be a life-long sermon series! Would also like to bring the RA's/GA's here on a hike one Saturday morning - maybe even a day outing this summer (or for a Bible Camp Day?). I wonder if I could get permission for a night time hike here during the Winter??? Will need to find out.
Agape!