Pinhoti Trail (Section - Coosa WMA) - Tuesday, 10/4/2016

Hike: Pinhoti Trail (Section off Coosa County 55 at Coosa WMA), 10/4/16 09:16-11:30CDT

Distance: approx 4 miles (forgot to reset GPS at start of hike)  Difficulty: Moderate due to navigation challenges  Rating: 4.5/5.0

Conditions: Partly cloudy. Mid to upper 70s.  Moderate breeze.  Trails dry.  Trail blazes (Pinhoti Blue) on both sides of trees, but insufficient in some areas for ease of navigation.  

Thoughts/Observations: 

Observed three whitetail deer, crows, numerous butterflies, dragonflies, and lizard.  Myriad of Fall wildflowers were pleasing to the eyes and soul.  Vistas from mountaintops were impressive.  Foliage beginning to show Autumn colors (mostly yellow, gold, and brown -- with a few red and mahogany).  

This trail is NOT one for the novice hiker to try on their own.  The trail is not heavily worn and the blazes are not close together.  It would be easy to get lost without GPS or map/compass and navigation skills.

Hiking: Orange Beach, AL -- 08/19/2016

Hike: Along the beach of Orange Beach, AL to Gulf State Park pier and return, Fri., 8/19/2016, 16:15-17:30CDT

Distance: 3.3 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.8/5

Conditions: Some clouds building but still mostly sunny.  Breezy.  Beautiful Gulf beach!

Thoughts/Observations:

What a wonderful way to enjoy an afternoon birthday hike?!  Sand, Surf, and Sky were all gorgeous.

Ramblr link with more pics and hike stats!

Hiking: Backcountry Trail, Gulf State Park, Alabama -- 08/19/2016

Hike: Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, Gulf State Park, AL; Fri., 8/19/2016, 07:30-09:30CDT

Distance:  5.2 miles  Difficulty:  Easy  Rating: 4.8/5.0

Conditions: Partly cloudy. Hot. Humid. A light sprinkle provided some cooling relief near end of hike.

Thoughts/Observations:

This is a paved trail-way in the "backcountry" portion of Gulf State Park.  It is shared between hikers, runners, and bikers.  Facilities are wonderful.  (Great job State of Alabama!)  Trail does get some traffic, but it is not hard to find solitude.

Lots of wildlife abounds in the area.  Passerines, alligator, turtle, tortoise, snakes, frogs, dragonflies, butterflies, and the like.  The only wildlife viewed today were birds, dragonflies, and butterflies.

Excellent hike to celebrate my birthday at the beach!

Ramblr Link with more pics and hike stats! 

Thought of the Day - 8/17/2016

There’s always going to be bad stuff out there. But here’s the amazing thing - light trumps darkness every time. You stick a candle into the dark, but you can’t stick the dark into the light.

Jodi Picoult

Author

Hiking Swayback Gold Trail - 8/13/2016

Hike: Swayback Trail of Legends, Gold Trail, Sat., 8/13/2016, 08:00-10:30CDT

Distance: 5.1 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.5/5

Conditions: Cloudy to Partly Cloudy; warm; muggy.  Trails wet from recent rains but not too muddy. 

Thoughts/Observations:

Passerines in abundance.  Bird song serenade.  Several mountain bikers, hikers, and trail dogs.

 

Quote of the Day - 08/1/2016

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.

-- Mark Twain

Hiking Swayback Bridge TOLA - 07/30/2016

Hike: Portions of Lakeside (Red/Black), Big Zipper, and  Upland Trails, Sat., 07/30/2016, 09:00-12:00CDT

Distance: 6 miles (by GPS)  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4/5

Conditions: Hot/humid.  Light, steady breeze.  Trails dry and in good shape.  Three significant blow-downs from recent thunderstorms had been cut up and moved off trail (good job!).

Thoughts/Observations:

Gray squirrel, damsel flies, cicada, and lizards were observed today.  No deer and not many passerines in attendance.  Lake was near full pool and largely placid.  

 Excellent time of worship and introspection.  Working on sermon topic for tomorrow.

Get out and enjoy GOD's Creation!

 Ramblr Link for additional pics & stats.

Quote of the Day - 7/29/2016

 

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. 

-- Winston Churchill

Urban Hike Overlook II - 7/26/2016

Urban Hike: Overlook II, Tue, 07/26/2016 19:00-19:40CDT

Distance: 2.2 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.5/5

Conditions: Warm. Cloudy, Tstorms building. Moderate breeze.  Light sprinkles by end of hike.

Thoughts/Observations:

Ramblr App did not function properly.  It recorded 3.3 miles - actual length should have been around 2.2. 

 

Enjoyed the breeze and cooler temps!

 

Verse of the Day

Hebrews 11:3 NKJV

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 

Hike: The Deadening Alpine Trail - 07/15/2016

Hike: The Deadening Alpine Trail, Sat 07/15/2016 09:00-12:00CDT

Distance: 4.4 miles  Difficulty: Difficult due to scrambles  Rating: 4.5/5

Conditions: Hot, humid.  Partly cloudy to mostly clear.  Calm.  Trails wet from recent rains but not muddy - in good shape.

Thoughts/Observations:

This hike is always a workout and today was no exception.  Forest sounds were limited to birds and insects except on the lake, where boats and jet skis were the order of the day.  Some of the trail has been modified but the route is largely unchanged.

Portions of this trail have challenging scrambles (up and down).  Hiking poles are an asset here.  

Time of worship and introspection.  LORD, GOD, YOU are amazing!

Ramblr Link with hike stats and additional pics.

 

Mountain Biking - Swayback TOLA - 07/14/2016

Bike:  Swayback Trail of Legends, Thu 07/14/2016 09:30-10:30CDT

Distance: 4.5 miles  Difficulty: Moderate due to heat/humidity and technical aspects  Rating: 4/5

Conditions: Hot/humid.  Calm.  PCloudy.  Trails in good shape.

Thoughts/Observations: 

Quite a few roots and rocks on most of the single-track.  Makes for a more technical ride.  L-o-n-g hill coming up from Swayback Bridge is challenging; especially when one is just getting back onto the mountain bike!  Can tell I need more saddle time.

Enjoyable ride and good workout.  Some of the trail time is off-bike, exploring some small side trails I found.

Verse of the Day - 7/13/2016

 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ 

-- Jeremiah 33:3

Urban Hike Silverhills & Overlook II

 

Urban Hike: Overlook II and Silverhills, Mon. 7/11/2016, 19:45-20:45CDT

Distance: 2.5 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4/5

Conditions: Early evening Thunderstorms cooled the air.  Very comfortable walk through the neighborhoods.  One small Thundercloud still visible in the west provided some distant lightning displays.

Thoughts/Observations:

Good time to think, pray, and worship as I hiked from Overlook II through part of Silverhills.  Prayers for those sick and hurting.  Thankful for answer to prayers!  Prayers for wisdom, discernment, and understanding to guide HIS church in these difficult times.  Our nation is in dire straits.  If we do not turn back to GOD I fear there will no country left for our grandchildren.

Ramblr link for hike stats. 

Thought for the Day - Love & Light - 07/11/2016

Love changes darkness into light and makes the heart take a wingless flight.

-- Helen Steiner Rice

Summer Hike - Swayback TOLA - 2016-07-09

Hike: Swayback Trail of Legends - Lakeside - Sat., 07/09/2016, 09:00-12:00CDT

Distance: 7 miles  Difficulty: Moderate due to heat/humidity Rating: 4.5/5

Conditions: Mostly cloudy to Thunderstorm.  Rain starting at end of hike.  Hot/humid.  Light breeze.  Trails in excellent shape.  

Thoughts/Observations:

Great hike.  Time to worship, pray, meditate, and enjoy GOD's Creation.  The thunderstorm came up quickly.  One of the typical "pop up" summer storms.  The cooling effects of the accompanying rain were most welcomed.

Birds, insects, frogs, turtles, squirrels, and lizards were quite busy along the trails.  The frogs were very small (a new crop?).  Insect repellent creme (DEET 40%) seemed to work effectively keeping mosquitoes at bay.  Ticks and horseflies were also non-existent. 

Thought of the Day - 7/8/2016

“When one with honeyed words but evil mind persuades the mob, great woes befall the state.”
 – Euripides

What an appropriate thought for our current culture.  GOD help us!

Urban Hike: Overlook II & Silverhills - 7/6/2016

Urban Hike: Overlook II & Silverhills. Wed. 7/6/2016. 20:00-20:50CDT

Distance: 2.5 miles. Difficulty: Easy. Rating: 4/5

Conditions: Partly cloudy. Warm. Recent thundershowers cooled temps. 

Thoughts/Observations: 

Good evening walk after church. Enjoyed the rain-cooled air. Orange sherbet sunset.