Hike @ Mountain Creek 3/19/2017

Hike: Confederate Memorial Park, Mountain Creek, AL; Sun., 3/19/2017, 15:00-17:00CDT
Distance: 4.2 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4/5
Conditions: Beautiful blue, clear sky.  Light breeze.  Low 70's.  Trails damp but little standing water.
Thoughts/Observations:
Cardinals (one of my favorite song birds) and Red Maples were the stars.  Both of these painted the forest with bright red!  Squirrels and chipmunks made a few appearances, mostly near the stream or drainage areas.  I disturbed a large owl (not a clear enough sighting for an identification) near the southern property line; getting glimpses of him flying to a new roost.  A gray titmouse watched me closely as I descended the "hickory trail" to the "Nature Trail".  

It was a beautiful day to enjoy GOD's Creation.  This is a wonderful little park.

Swayback Trail of Legends 3/17/2017

Hike: Swayback Trail of Legends; Fri., 3/17/2017, 10:10-12:30CDT
Distance: 7.0 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: Easy
Conditions: Mostly cloudy. Low 50s to upper 60s. Calm. Trails wet from recent rains.
Thoughts/Observations:
A few squirrels & chipmunks caught my attention as they scampered around the forest floor.  An Avain Worship Team led praise today - Not quite enough singing to be a choir!  I found myself marching to woodpecker's cadence.

I was delighted to see that Woodland violets were still blooming even after several cold nights recently.  My views into the forest were the deepest they have been throughout the year.  Soon Spring will bring leaves out to once again hide the deep views.

Cherokee Ridge 3/4/2017

 

Hike: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail (North & South), Sat., 3/4/2017, 09:15-12:00CST

Distance: 4.3 miles  Rating: 4.5/5.0  Difficulty: Moderate

Conditions: Bright blue sky, few high cirrus clouds.  Light wind.  50s-60s.  Trails dry.

Thoughts/Observations:

A beautiful, peaceful day for a hike.  There was only one other vehicle when I parked at the trailhead, but I was greeted by a lot full of vehicles upon completing the hike.  Quite a few other people realized it was a great day to get out and enjoy GOD's Creation.

Wild rhododendrons joined woodland violets in announcing the beginning of Spring.  Chipmunks and several passerines were also busy about the forest floor.  Red maples have begun showing their spring colors.  GOD is also busy about HIS work.  What is HE doing in your life?  Join HIM.

¹² “For you shall go out with joy,
And be led out with peace;
The mountains and the hills
Shall break forth into singing before you,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isa. 55:12 NKJV