Verse of the Day

Colossians 3:16-17 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 

Hiking Swayback Bridge Trail of Legends - 25Nov2017

Hike: Swayback Bridge Trail of Legends (Upland section), Sat. 25Nov2017, 09:10-11:30CST

Distance: 4.3 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.9/5.0

Conditions: Clear. Calm. Upper 40s to Low 50s.  Trails in good shape.  

Thoughts/Observations: 

Gracie and I had the upper trails largely to ourselves.  We did encounter one mountain biker as we were exiting the trail (after playing frisbee).  Gracie did not think too much of the bicycle.

Trees displayed more color along the banks of Lake Jordan than we had seen at Cherokee Ridge or Mountain Creek.  The orange, red, yellow, gold, and green were a treat for the eyes.

Gracie did extremely well off leash, though I was always listening out for mountain bikes.  

A wonderful morning for a hike and a fantastic hiking buddy.  Thank YOU, LORD.

YouTube Video of our hike!

#OptOutside - Hiking Mountain Creek with Gracie - 24Nov2017

Hike: Various trails - Mountain Creek Park; Friday, 24Nov2017, 07:50-11:20CST

Distance: 4.1 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.8/5.0

Conditions: Beautiful clear blue sky.  Calm.  Mid 40s to low 50s.  Trails dry and in good shape.  No other trail users today.

Thoughts/Observations: 

Quite a few squirrels scampering across the forest floor.  Gracie gave a good chase to one along the Nature Trail!

We were serenaded to bird song throughout the hike and even the cadence of a woodpecker on one occasion.  Robins were abundant near the Pine Upland Trail.  

Gracie enjoyed the frisbee time in the Pine Upland clearing as always.  How much slobber can one dog get on a frisbee?... 

The forest was bathed in a beautiful golden hue with the mid-Autumn morning sun.  Long filaments of spider silk glistened like Christmas tree icicles.  Hardwood leaves and pine needles blended together to make a soft, silent carpet as we hiked and played frisbee together.  Except for bird song and woodpecker percussion it was quiet enough to clearly hear Gracie's footfalls as she ran back and forth along the trails and off-trail into the forest.

A beautiful day for a hike with my Best Trail Buddy.  Thank YOU, FATHER, for YOUR love and blessings.

YouTube Video of Hike

Hiking Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail, Monday, 11/20/2017

Hike: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail, Monday, 11/20/17 09:20-11:30CST
Distance: 4.5 miles  Difficulty: Moderate  Rating: 5/5
Conditions: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy.  Low 40s.  Calm.  Trails in good shape.
Thoughts/Observations:
Hiking with Gracie.  This was her first "serious" trail hike; plenty of rocks, boulders, steep up and down-grades.  She handled them all well!  Gracie is such a great trail buddy.  We played frisbee twice during the hike.  Once near the Chimney Rock viewing area and then on the beach near the confluence of the Chimney Rock Trail and the North Cherokee Ridge Trail.  I believe Gracie enjoyed the trail hike greatly -- lots of new smells and sounds. 

The trailhead area has been remodeled -- new picnic tables and concrete handicap access to the picnic area. 

Thank YOU, LORD, for this beautiful day and this gracious creature -- Gracie is such a blessing.

We are both looking forward to a cheeseburger for an after-hike treat!

YouTube video of our hike!

Fall Hike / Frisbee Play - Mountain Creek -- Saturday, 11/11/2017

Hike: Nature Trail and Pine Upland Trail @ Confederate Memorial Park, Mountain Creek, AL; Saturday, 11/11/2017, 08:30-11:00CST
Distance: 4.25 Miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.8/5.0
Conditions: Clear skies.  Calm.  Moderate temps.  Beautiful conditions.  Trails in excellent shape.  No other humans in the park.
Thoughts/Observations:
Today was an absolutely gorgeous day for a hike.  Though in truth any day is a "gorgeous day" to go hiking!  Especially when you have a fantastic Hiking Buddy like Gracie! 

We were on the trail by 08:30 and had the trails completely to ourselves.  At least there were no other human trail users.  Chipmunks, squirrels, and two large whitetail deer were our companions this day.  Gracie chased chipmunks but they were just a bit too quick.  The two large doe made better chase prey but they were on the other side of the fence -- sorry Gracie!

Birds serenaded us throughout the hike and witnessed Gracie's athleticism with the frisbee.  The open patch in the Pine Upland area was discovered as a great frisbee play area today.  I do not know why it had not dawned on me before that it would be a great place to chase the frisbee.  It might be even better than the grassy area behind the church because it is more remote.

The peace and solitude of this wonderful little park was greatly appreciated.  The companionship of my Trail Buddy was wonderful!

Thoughts on Romans 10-12.  Preparing for "Treasures in Romans - Salvation & Sanctification".