Quote of the Day

Memorial Hike for Gracie - 07/23/2015

Hike: Mountain Creek - Memorial Hike for Gracie - Thursday, 7/23/2015

Distance, Time, and Conditions do not matter on this hike - only memories.  These trails remind me so much of Gracie and our hikes.  I tried to make sure I hit all of the special spots -- where I would stop and feed her treats; where she and Diane played as they hiked up the hill; where Diane and Gracie posed for pictures.  I was glad for the sprinkling rain -- it washed away the tears.

Quote of the Day - 2015-05-29

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. " 
-- Helen Keller

Memorial Day Hike 2015

Hike: Freestyle @ Swayback TOLA

Distance: 4.0 miles. Rating: 4.0/5.0

Difficulty: Easy. Suitable for families & dogs. 

Conditions: Cloudy. Light breeze. Mid to upper 70s. Trails mostly dry & clear. 

Thoughts/Observations: 

Good hike. Much needed. Gray squirrels busy along the trails. Mimosas in full bloom. Their perfume brings back so many fond memories. Thank YOU, LORD for so many things.

Ramblr link to hike details

 

Short Swayback Hike 4/3/2015

Birthday hike with my brother. Nice warm day. Brilliant sunshine. Forest wildflowers are blooming. Woodland violets are my personal favorites. 

Hike: Swayback Green Trail (modified)

Distance: 2.5 miles. Rating: 4/5

Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Clear. Light wind. Trails clear with a few muddy spots. Warm. 

Thoughts/Observations: 

Birthday hike with my brother. Cut short for bday lunch!
Ramblr Map of Hike 

Verse of the Day

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;  Col. 1:9-11 NKJV

Inspirational Quote of the Day 3/26/2015

Gold Trail at Swayback

Hike: Gold Trail at Swayback, Friday, 3/13/2015, 09:45-12:00CDT

Distance: 4 miles  Rating: 4/5

Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Cloudy.  Temps in upper 50s.  Wind blustery.  Trails very wet from continuing rains.

Thoughts/Observations:

Quick late morning hike ahead of the rain.  Enjoyed my trail time immensely.  Seeing the woodland violets in bloom brought a smile to my face -- this is one of my favorite flowers.  I was greeted to a fantastic display of the delicate purple flowers along the trail side at about the 3/4 point of the hike.  It was also a special treat to see a bluebird among the passerines busy about their bird-business.  Red Maples, Redbuds, and pears have started to bloom.  Spring is indeed on its way!  

Thoughts and Prayers for several of my fellow faith-family members who are sick or recovering from recent surgeries.  

Looking forward to services on Sunday.  We will be looking at "TBD"... from 1 John 3.

 

Deadening Trail Hike. 3/7/2015

 

Hike: Deadening Trail, Saturday, 3/7/2015, 08:50-12:00CDT

Distance: 4.0 miles  Rating: 4.5/5

Difficulty: Difficult.  Not for small children or dogs.  Several portions near drop-offs.  Considerable elevation changes.  Some scrambling.

Conditions: Mostly sunny.  Calm.  Warming up to low 60s.  Trail wet in spots.  Some water still dripping off rocks onto trail below.

Thoughts/Observations:  

Fantastic hike, though this trail is difficult.  Certainly gave me a work-out.  Spring is in the air.  Noticed Red Maples are beginning to bloom.  Passerines, crows, and vultures observed.  Enjoyed a rest at "the top of the world" overlooking the aquamarine Lake Martin.  

Good time of worship and introspection.  

Tried out my sketch book and pencils from my perch looking over the lake.  I am not an artist, but I do enjoy sketching some of the landscapes.

Ramblr Link for my hike!

Tried out the BK7/BK14 combo sheath.  Seems to wear well.  BK7 is easily deployed from this rig.  The BK14 is not as easily deployed.  I do like the dangler which drops the knife lower on my side.  The sheath does tend to strike the lower leg if you are involved in scrambling.

Quote of the Day

To conquer oneself is the best and noblest victory; to be vanquished by one's own nature is the worst and most ignoble defeat.
  ~Plato

Cloudy & Cold Day at Work

Temps falling from low 50s to upper 30s throughout the day. Light to misty rain added to the brisk NW wind to make for a raw, late winter day. Makes me yearn more for the sunshine and warmth of spring. Even the heat and humidity of summer would be welcome. 

Needless to say, I am not made for harsh winter conditions. I have immense respect for those who survive and thrive in the cold, wet winters of the north. 

Hiking Swayback - 2/28/2015

Hike: Modified Black Trail Swayback TOLA 10:15-13:00CST

Distance: 6.1 miles. Rating: 5/5

Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Partly cloudy. Moderate wind. Upper 40s to high 50s. Trails wet from recent rains. 

Thoughts: 

Wonderful day for a hike!  Bird and frog song filled the air.  I know it's still Winter but the full sunshine filled everyone with the promise of Spring.

I needed the solitude and praise time today.  This was good for my heart.

I love the "open forest" during this time of year.  You can see details of terrain far into the forest -- things that would be hidden from view during the Spring/Summer.

Ramblr Hike Link 

Quote of the Day - 1/29/2015

…the old Lakota was wise. He knew that a man’s heart, away from nature, becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to lack of respect for humans, too. So he kept his children close to nature’s softening influence.

-- Chief Luther Standing Bear, Lakota Sioux

Always Prepared 2 -- Crystal Clear

3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,

But the simple pass on and are punished.

Prov. 22:3 NKJV

Look to GOD:
As the Giver of Every Good and Perfect Gift  (James 1:16-17)
As the Author  (Hebrews 12:1-2)
     Of our Faith
     Of our Lives -- Let HIM write HIS story in your heart!
As your Guide  (Psalms 32:8-9)

Look for GOD:
To Show Up
To Work Mightly
To Do What We Cannot
To Always Be There

Look for Truth:
Proper Filter -- GOD's Word.  Make Value Judgments based on Real Truth.
Critical Thinking --  Use your GOD-given Mind!  Test what others tell you.
Be Right - Not Popular!

Look Around:
Don't rely on what you see in the "media".  Look all around.
See Doors Open/Close - What Opportunities may GOD provide?
Look Ahead -- Not just "right in front of you".
Deviate from the World   "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let GOD transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Compass Point:
Don't go around with "blinders on".  Take time to Look and Live.

 

Beautiful Day for a Hike

Hike: Lakeshore Trail. Swayback TOLA. Saturday, January 24, 2015, 10:00-12:48CST

Distance: 6 miles  Rating: 4.5/5.0  Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Mostly sunny and clear. Winds about 12mph. Low to upper 40's. Trails very wet from yesterday's rain. 

Thoughts/Observations:

Treated to bird and frog song. Quite lovely.

Hikers/trail runners outnumbered mountain bikers today. Was glad to see a couple of families with children out enjoying Creation.

Did a little testing on the OKC SP8. It is an accomplished chopper but can also be used as a draw knife, to feather sticks, for general camp tasks & shelter making. Because you cannot hammer with it I cannot say it completely replaces a camp hatchet or axe.

Always Be Prepared - Crystal Clear

 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. 

Neh. 4:9 NKJV

Friendship Quote of the Day -- 1/23/2015

A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.  

~ William Arthur Ward

 

Love Quote of the Day - 1/19/2015

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” 

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers 

Quote of The Day - 1/16/2015

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
-- Prov 22:3 (NLT)

"Always Prepared"

Preparedness Quote 1/14/2015

“The stretching of your faith is immediate pain that results in ultimate gain. It is in the waiting that we become who we are meant to be.”
― Mandy Hale 

---------------------
... and we don't like to wait, do we?  Perhaps impatience is an enemy of faith.

 

Preparedness Quote of the Day - 1/13/2015

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
― Benjamin Franklin

Swayback Hike with The Brother

HIKE: Lakeshore Trail. Saturday 1/10/2015 10:00-12;30CST

DISTANCE: 7 miles. DIFFICULTY: Easy 

RATING: 4.0/5.0

CONDITIONS: Clear, sunny. Upper 30's to upper 40's. Calm. Trails wet. 

THOUGHTS/OBSERVATIONS:  

Lots of trail users today so only wildlife sightings were birds. Good time with my brother. Talked about world events and what we need to be doing to be ready. 

First Hike of 2015

HIKE: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail, Tallapoosa Co. AL, Friday, 1/9/2015 10:00-13:00CST

DISTANCE: 4.1 miles. DIFFICULTY: Moderate. RATING: 4.5/5

CONDITIONS: Mostly cloudy. Wind light. Temp upper 30's to low 40's. Trails slick with wet pine straw & covered with hardwood leaves. Made for slow/careful steps. 

THOUGHTS/OBSERVATIONS: 

Great to get out to Cherokee Ridge. Had the trails all to myself. No deer observed. Birds were busy, though not greatly abundant. Spotted a small passerine, which I tentatively identified as a golden crested kinglet, near trail's end.

As usual this was a time of worship & reflection. Particularly enjoyed my little "Rock Sanctuary".   Getting ready for Sunday's message on "The Way of Wisdom".

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:15-17 (NKJV)

Ramblr link for the hike details/data!