Hiking The Lost World -- 5/26/2014

Hike: "The Lost World"  aka portions of the Black and Red Trails, Swayback Bridge; Mon., 5/26/2014, 09:00-12:00CDT
Distance: 7 miles  Rating: 4.5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions:  Mostly sunny. Calm.  Temps climbing to the 80s.  Trails dry.

Thoughts/Observations:

Enjoyed my hike through the forest and lake shore of Lake Jordan this morning.  It was much needed and appreciated.  The bright sunlight filtering through the forest canopy and playing across the forest floor was mesmerizing.  Even though it was a holiday and there were other users of the trails, most of the morning was peaceful -- the forest is a special place of peace, reflection, and rejuvenation.  The little boy in me could easily believe he was hiking in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Lost World.  The Big Leaf Magnolia groves, fern glades, and dragonflies only needed Pterodactyls, Triceratops, Raptors, and Tyrannosaurs to complete the transformation.

Hiking is a worship experience for me -- not worship of any article of creation, but rather The CREATOR.  To be surrounded by HIS handiwork and not marvel at HIS splendor, majesty, glory, and wisdom is unthinkable.  I feel HIS presence here among the oaks, pines, and poplars as readily as in any other sanctuary.

The strains of Aaron Shust's song "GOD of Brilliant Lights" spun around my mind as I considered the light playing out across Lake Jordan and the forest canopy...

Sing it out, shout it loud
Cover all the earth
Let the sound of the saints
Everywhere be heard
Praise the GOD who has come
To cure every broken heart.

He is LORD over all
HIS reign will never end
Through the fire and the flood
He draws his children in
He's the light of the world
Brighter than the brightest star.

Chorus:
The GOD of brilliant lights
Is shining down over us
Breaking through the darkness
Covering all the earth
Oooh, HIS love is like an ocean
Oooh, forever overflowing
The GOD of brilliant lights is shining over us

 

Whether it's the majestic White Oak, massive Long leaf Pine towering into the sky, or the delicate fern unfolding at the base of the forest giants -- my GOD is The CREATOR of them all.

Sing it out, shout it loud
Cover all the earth
Let the sound of the saints
Everywhere be heard
Praise the God who has come
To cure every broken heart.

He is lord over all
His reign will never end
Through the fire and the flood
He draws his children in
He's the light of the world
Brighter than the brightest star.

Chorus:
The god of brilliant lights
Is shining down over us
Breaking through the darkness
Covering all the earth
Oooh, his love is like an ocean
Oooh, forever overflowing
The god of brilliant lights is shining over us
Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/god-of-brilliant-lights-lyrics-aaron-shust.html#DYuqLZsG94EAbdzz.99

ing it out, shout it loud
Cover all the earth
Let the sound of the saints
Everywhere be heard
Praise the God who has come
To cure every broken heart.

He is lord over all
His reign will never end
Through the fire and the flood
He draws his children in
He's the light of the world
Brighter than the brightest star.

Chorus:
The god of brilliant lights
Is shining down over us
Breaking through the darkness
Covering all the earth
Oooh, his love is like an ocean
Oooh, forever overflowing
The god of brilliant lights is shining over us
Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/god-of-brilliant-lights-lyrics-aaron-shust.html#DYuqLZsG94EAbdzz.99

Camping Cheaha / Hiking Pinhoti -- April 11-12, 2014

Hiking/Camping: Pinhoti Trail near Cheaha State Park // Camping Cheaha SP

Hike: Portions of the Pinhoti Trail near Cheaha State Park, 4/11/2014
Distance: 4 miles  Rating: 4/5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Conditions: Beautiful weather.  Dry and mild temps.  Many limbs and trees down throughout the area due to the ice storms earlier in the winter.  Lots of damage in the state park and throughout the mountain top and ridges.
Thoughts/Observations:
Some beautiful waterfalls and stream crossing in the 4 mile section of the Pinhoti near Cheaha.  Wildflowers graced the trailside throughout the hike.  Was shocked at the amount of damage from the winter ice storms this year.  Sad to see so many trees broken down.

Hike: Bald Rock and Pulpit Rock Trails, Cheaha State Park, 4/12/2014
Distance: 2 miles  Rating: 4/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions:  Ice storm damage evident in this area also.  Beautiful and clear day.
Thoughts/Observations:
Retraced the steps Diane and I took many years ago hiking out to Bald Rock.  Diane was about 4 years old if I remember correctly.  After our short hike to the wonderful valley overlook of Bald Rock, I heard Diane say "Look Daddy."  She had climbed out onto one of the rock ledges.  My heart skipped a beat as I yelled "Do not move!".  Obviously, she and I survived the hike about 22 years ago...  Bald Rock was still as impressive and imposing as I remember.  Since Diane was not here -- I climbed out on the ledge to get pictures myself.

Camping:   Semi-primitive site near the summit of Cheaha Mountain.  I had the best "view in the park".

Swayback Bridge Trail of Legends - 2014-May-16

Hike: Swayback Bridge Trails, Sat. 5/16/2014, 09:00-11:50CDT
Distance: 6.5 miles  Rating: 4.5/5.0
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Sunny to Partly cloudy.  Temps: low 60s.  Wind: Calm to Light and variable.  Trails:  Wet and muddy in spots from recent rains.
Thoughts/Observations:

Wonderful day for a hike and so over-due!  Serenaded with bird-song accompanied by a chorus of the wind rustling through the hardwood/pine forest.  Many wildflowers are already passed their prime blooms -- Spring is well underway.  The wild azaleas by the lake shore were still an unexpected treat!  I felt as if I were hiking through a tunnel of flowers.  If some of my girls had been with me I would have picked a flower for your hair (or your collar Gracie!).

Except for a couple of mountain bikers and one hiker with his dog, I had complete solitude.  Such times of introspection and worship are a welcomed respite amidst the din and confusion of our days.

Today was good for my heart.  Thank YOU, LORD.