Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge Hike

Date: 5/12/2007 0930-1300
Conditions: Mostly sunny, hot.
Distance: 5 miles
Rating: 5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Heat, Distance, Stream Crossing)
Thoughts:
Good number of people using this NWR for recreation - mostly swimming and canoeing. Hiked trail next to Cahaba River. Saw the Cahaba Lilies in full bloom! Thank YOU, LORD - I have been wanting to see these lilies in person for some time. Waded out into the Cahaba for close up pics of the Lilies and to actually touch one. Saw many lizards and birds; one snake (King snake, I think) and fish. Enjoyable hike (but should have taken more than one bottle of water - it is summer in Alabama). This one rates a return trip with the kayak!

Wehle Nature Center

Carried Kathy to the Dept of Conservation/Natural Resources annual Plant Fest at the Land Conservation Center on Sat, 5/5/2007. Great site! Cabins and vendors. Had good talk with Lands Div Biologist about birds, the Land Center, other ForeverWild tracts, and hikes. Picked up some good reading material about Wildlife Refuges, etc. Plan to return to the Nature Center to hike at a later date. Miles of trails and areas for canoeing/kayaking or horseback riding to be explored. Almost a secret area!

Little River Canyon Expedition

Our "Expedition" (read that: Vacation) to the Little River Canyon area of NE Alabama was wonderful. Such beauty and peace - a very real time of refreshing. Vacation for just Kathy and myself... 'empty nest' in practice.

Hikes: (1) The Wilderness of Mentone (2) Little River Canyon National Preserve (3) DeSoto State Park
Distances: (1) 4 miles total (2) Diving/Hiking tour of the Rim (3) 11 miles total
Ratings: (1) 3.5 (2) 5+ (3) 5
Conditions: All hikes were sunny and mild. Glorious weather for the entire week. Mornings and late evenings were cool (long sleeves), but afternoons were sunny and warm. Little cloud cover most of week. Stars were visible through glass patio doors from our cabin bedroom! Waterfalls were full and beautiful. Hiked to all main falls in DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon NP. Drove to DeSoto Falls but somehow missed the trail with Icebox Cave.
Thoughts: A great time of refreshing and inspiration. Was wonderful to get away to such a beautiful area for a week. The Wilderness of Mentone is a Christian Retreat in the making. The Kadesh Cabin (our cabin) is a simple one bedroom cabin with a great view of the pond and property. LORD, YOU really spoke to my heart during this week. Thank YOU for giving me this time and working in my life!

Bibb County Glades Nature Preserve Hike

Distance: about 2 miles
Rating: 4/5
Conditions: 10:00-12:00. Sunny and very warm.
Thoughts: Advertised as the most biologically diverse place in Alabama. Numerous species of plants from trees to small wildflowers that I had never seen before! Little Cahaba River runs through the preserve (owned by Nature Conservancy). Rocky outcroppings on the hillsides and near the river. Small gnats were plentiful. Ticks were also out. Trails were not well marked nor maintained. But this IS a wild place and it was beautiful! I plan to return for a longer visit when I can gather more info on the area or perhaps during Winter (when insects and vegetation are less). Thank YOU, LORD for areas such as this. Help us to be good stewards of what YOU entrust us with.
Agape!