New Year's Hike - Mountain Creek

Hike: Mountain Creek, Fri. 1/1/2010, 10:15-12:20
Distance: 4.0 miles Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Blustery. Very cool. Wind pushing through the tree tops at times a continuous roar. Mostly cloudy to mostly sunny by end of hike.
Thoughts/Observations:
Thank YOU, LORD, for this joy-filled hike. Was not in to the hike more than 5 minutes when I was treated to the most beautiful pair of blue, brown, and gray birds. They displayed their colors from all directions as they watched me and ate dogwood berries. Also observed small green sparrow-sized bird near pine upland fence-line. Black & white stripes on back. Serenaded by bird-song and wind music! Wonderful way to start a new decade! Was a very peaceful and refreshing hike.

New binocular harness worked great! Makes the heavier Simmons binoculars easy to carry and readily accessible. Did not take the camera today - had to leave battery charging. In a way that probably contributed to my enjoyment of the hike - I was just "soaking it all up myself".

(Note: The blue birds were Eastern Bluebirds, just appeared larger and more vivid than I'm used to seeing!)

Little River Canyon Expedition

Our "Expedition" (read that: Vacation) to the Little River Canyon area of NE Alabama was wonderful. Such beauty and peace - a very real time of refreshing. Vacation for just Kathy and myself... 'empty nest' in practice.

Hikes: (1) The Wilderness of Mentone (2) Little River Canyon National Preserve (3) DeSoto State Park
Distances: (1) 4 miles total (2) Diving/Hiking tour of the Rim (3) 11 miles total
Ratings: (1) 3.5 (2) 5+ (3) 5
Conditions: All hikes were sunny and mild. Glorious weather for the entire week. Mornings and late evenings were cool (long sleeves), but afternoons were sunny and warm. Little cloud cover most of week. Stars were visible through glass patio doors from our cabin bedroom! Waterfalls were full and beautiful. Hiked to all main falls in DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon NP. Drove to DeSoto Falls but somehow missed the trail with Icebox Cave.
Thoughts: A great time of refreshing and inspiration. Was wonderful to get away to such a beautiful area for a week. The Wilderness of Mentone is a Christian Retreat in the making. The Kadesh Cabin (our cabin) is a simple one bedroom cabin with a great view of the pond and property. LORD, YOU really spoke to my heart during this week. Thank YOU for giving me this time and working in my life!