Ft. Toulouse National Historic Site Hike

Hike: Ft. Toulouse, Wetumpka, AL 11/28/2007 09:30-12:00
Distance: ~ 4 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Sunny, mild, light breeze. Beautiful day.
Thoughts/Observations:
Haven't hiked here in a while. Nice to get back. Trails are open now that cooler temps prevail. Many birds abound. Several grey squirrels. River level of Tallapoosa and Coosa still several feet below normal. The confluence of the rivers is visibly different due to the drought. Noticed three cypress trees coming up near the confluence.

Woodpecker in the bog garden area - red cap on back of head, white stripes across back, breast white, long beak, ~ size of robin.

Small tree (bush) ~ 20' tall, single to multiple trunk, smooth light colored bark, leaves alternate and oval, bright red berries in clusters of 2-3.

Thank YOU LORD, for this beautiful area and for the blessing of life. Thank YOU for these 'simple pleasures'.

Traildog!

Hike: Mountain Creek, AL 11/23/2007, 12:00-13:45 Hiking with Gracie!
Distance: 3 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy (at least for me) Looked to be easy for Gracie too.
Conditions: Very cool, clear, light breeze.
Thoughts: Gracie's first hike! She did extremely well. Used the long (25') leash. Gracie experienced a plethora of smells, sights, and sounds. I was very pleased with her demeanor around another dog and a couple. Maybe she's going to be a "Traildog"!

Fall Hiking at Mountain Creek 11/21/2007

Hike: Mountain Creek, AL 11/21/2007, 09:15-11:45
Distance: 4 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Cool, light to moderate breeze, cloudy and then clearing.
Thoughts: Flock of Robins in tall cedar tree behind church as I was going in to the trail. Thought I also saw a cedar waxwing. Most of leaves on the ground n ow. Tree behind the hickories on the back trail is a sourwood, I think. It has red leaves and the characteristic lean. Bark is rough. Some small "flowerettes"? or similar at end of some of the stems.

Alabama Nature Center - Birding Seminar Too

Hike: Alabama Nature Center, Millbrook, AL 11/17/2007, 08:00-11:30
Conditions: Cool (mid to upper 30's to 40's), sunny, almost no breeze.
Distance: 4.0 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Thoughts: Attended the beginning Birder Seminar from 9:30 to 10:30. Purchased Peterson Bird Guide. Walked part of Turkey Ridge with guided group - guided by ornithologist from AL DCNR. Some good sightings. Beautiful day. Cut it a little short to get back to help Kathy with house preps for Thanksgiving. Several pics. Thank YOU, LORD, for such a glorious day and life!

C.O.M.E. Bike Hike to Chief Ladiga Trail

Bike Hike: Chief Ladiga Trail, 13.6 to 5.0 mile marker and return Piedmont, AL 11/10/2007 All Day Event
Distance: 17.2 miles
Rating: 5/5
Conditions: Beautiful sunny clear skies, cool to mild temps, light breeze.
Thoughts: Piedmont plateau displaying Autumn golds, yellows, reds and various shades in between! Fourteen of us from 3 years old and up participated! I believe everyone had a great time of fellowship and appreciation of GOD's wonderful creation, dressed in its finest fall colors. Kathy drove the Explorer (support wagon) and had a picnic lunch ready for all of us at mile marker 5 (our turnaround point).
Check out some of the photos here.

This is something I have been anticipating for some time. GOD has really given me a heart to use HIS creation as a springboard to reach others, to teach about who GOD is and what HE wants to do. I wish I could adequately convey how wonderful it makes me feel to have all of you, those that I love so much, participate with me in this type ministry event. I hope this is just the beginning of many more!
Agape.

Hike Moss Rock Preserve

Hike: Moss Rock Preserve, Hoover, AL 11/08/2007, 11:15-13:45
Distance: ~5 miles
Rating: 4/5
Difficulty: Moderate
Conditions: Sunny, clear. Cool - high 40's. Light wind.
Thoughts: Some really outstanding rock formations. Good signposts identifying certain trees and bushes. Leaves in full Fall color. Well used, but well maintained Nature preserve. Saw squirrel and heard different birds. Only met one other hiker on trail. Enjoyable hike. Thank YOU, LORD, for preserving this area for us. No maps available at kiosk. Fair signage for trails (good in some spots but not consistent).

Mtn Biking Swayback

Bike Hike: Swayback Bridge Trail, Bronze Trail, Wetumpka, AL 11/07/2007 09:00-10:00
Distance: 4.0 (offroad, singletrack)
Rating: 4/5
Difficulty: Moderate
Conditions: Sunny, very cool, 40s-50s. Lt. breeze.
Thoughts: Beautiful area. leaves changing color. Couldn't pay as much attention to the landscape - having to watch for roots and rocks! Real singletrack! Good physical workout. Took a few pics. Chose to walk bike down some steep grades.

Reconnoiter Chief Ladiga Rail Trail

Bike Hike: Chief Ladiga Trail, Piedmont, AL, 11/05/2007 12:45-15:00
Distance: 17.2 miles (MM 13.6 to 5.0 and return) Departed from Eubanks Welcome Center
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Sunny, cool, light breeze
Thoughts: Reconnoiter for the Crestview Outdoor Ministry Expeditions Bike Hike here on Saturday. Beautiful landscape in the Fall. Trail passes through Pinhoti Trail and over Terrapin Creek.

Spectacular Fall Hike!

Hike: Mountain Creek AL, 11/03/2007 09:30-11:30
Distance: 4 miles (est.)
Rating: 5+/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: In a word-- Perfect! Sunny, clear, bright blue sky. Mild temps (50's and up). Low humidity. Light to moderate breeze. Smell of Fall in the air. A gentle occassional drizzle of leaves throughout the hike.
Thoughts: YOU are awesome in the place, LORD! Took over 100 pics today. The trees were in regal splendor; gold, yellow, red, orange, crimson, and even some purples. The hickories are my favorite, as they burst into full bright yellow and gold color. Contrasted against the green and reds of the other trees and the bright blue sky, the scene was inspiring. I bow in reverence to creativity, power, and beauty. Thank YOU for painting such a glorious forest for me. Please give me YOUR words to share with others. As I consider the beauty here, I am reminded that YOU should be even more glorified in my life - in the life of the Christian. Help me to tell others this truth!

North & South Loop Cherokee Ridge

Hike: Sat., 10/27/2007 10:00-13:00 Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail North/South Loops, Kowliga, AL
Distance: 4.0 miles
Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Conditions: Sunny, mild temps (50's to low 70's), light breeze.
Thoughts: Pictures of wildflowers and leaves turning red. County is beginning to pave access road. Lots of big grasshoppers about today along with a couple of small lizards.