Finally a use for all those paper airplanes I made as a child...

I never knew I was making "Drones" as a kid... maybe I was just ahead of my time?!... 

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/07/17/biodegradable-disposable-drones-take-flight/?intcmp=obnetwork 

Kayak Hike - Cooter's Pond Landing -- Thu, 7/18/2013

Kayak Hike:  Cooter's Pond, Thu, 7/18/2013, 17:00-19:00CDT
Distance: 2 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Hot/Humid.  Wind: Calm  Partly cloudy.  Rain shower came up as we were taking out.  No lightening/thunder.

Thoughts/Observations:
Enjoyed kayaking with "The Bro" after work.  No fishing today - just paddling & exploring.

Alligator Gar were not as active as last outing, but they did perform some small jumps and rolls for us.  Heron, egret, kingfisher, & sandpipers were busy along the shore. 

Water level was several feet lower than two weeks ago.  In spite of the frequent rains of late, I suppose Alabama Power's pull through the dams keeps the level lower.  Water surface was almost glass-like.  Paddling in this smooth water was a wonderful experience.  One could hear the soft cut of the paddles through the water's surface.  Peaceful and relaxing indeed!

Thankful for the experience and this place.

Well Said Mr. Barkley!

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/07/19/charles-barkley-said-agrees-with-george-zimmerman-verdict/

Another Swayback Bridge Hike - 07/13/2013

Hike: Portions of Black Trail, Swayback Bridge Trail of Legends, Sat., 07/13/2013, 10:00-12:00CDT
Distance: 5 miles  Rating: 4.5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Mostly cloudy. Hot & humid.  Lots & lots of rain this week.  Trails still wet & muddy in spots.  A few blow-downs encountered but still passable.  Encountered 4 mountain bikers during the hike.

Thoughts/Observations: 
Observed gray squirrel & cotton-tail.  Quite a few dragonflies near the power-line cut-through.  Several summer wild flowers. 

YOU are awesome in this place ABBA FATHER!

Gear List:

• RedHead Goretex Hikers
• Shorts/Polyester Tshirt
• MountainSmith Lumbar Pack (ESK)
• 1 KleenKanteen of water
• JAZZ videocam
• EsKabar

Hiking in the Rain - July 06, 2013 - Swayback Bridge Trail

Hike: Portions of the Red & Black Trails, Swayback Bridge Trail, near Wetumpka, AL, Saturday, 07/06/2013, 09:45-12:15CDT
Distance: 5 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Mild temps.  Steady, light rain through most of hike.  Has been raining like this for the last couple of days!  I am so thankful for the rain!!!  Needless to say, trails are wet and muddy.  A few blow-downs but none impassable.

Thoughts/Observations:
Shared the trails with a mountain biker at the start of my hike (and 4 additional cars were in the parking lot when I completed my hike) - otherwise no one else braved the rain to enjoy GOD's forest refreshed by a summer shower..

Chipmunks and gray squirrels were busy despite the rain.  There must have been a thousand spider webs across the trails -- and I busted through each one.

As you might expect, mushrooms were in abundance because of the rains.  Shrooms of all sizes and colors dotted the forest floor.  The splatter of rain on the forest canopy was a beautiful symphony to my ears.  The forest even smells better after a good rain.

I started to wear Frogg Toggs for the hike but opted instead to hike the trail without any rain gear.  Yes, I got a little wet but the forest canopy shielded me from most of the heavier cascades.  I thoroughly enjoyed my summer-time rain hike.  It was a special, prayerful time of worship, communion, and thought.

Gear List:

• KaBar Eskabar
• JAZZ digital camera
• 1qt Canteen/cup/holder
• ESK Lite
• RedHead Goretex Hikers (Yes... rain gear for my feet!)
• Polyester tshirt
• Cotton hiking shorts
• Cotton Do-Rag
• EDC

Food for Thought - Today in 1776

"We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come."

- Samuel Adams - July 2, 1776

Kayak Hike - Day of the Alligator Gar

Kayak Hike:  Cooter's Pond to RTJ (Alabama River), Saturday, June 29, 2013, 10:30-13:30 CDT
Distance: Estimated 6 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Conditions:  Mostly cloudy to Partly cloudy.  Wind: light & variable  Water level higher than normal due to recent rains.  Very warm & humid.

Thoughts/Observations:
Kayaking with the 'Bro'.  First time we have launched at Cooter's Pond in a while without being run out by thunderstorms.  Had a great day of kayak-exploring.  Glenn did a little fishing with spin casting reel.  I did not bring fly-fishing or spinning gear this trip.

We explored along the bank from the launch ramp to RTJ Golf course.  A "finger" of the Alabama River goes under a bridge at RTJ and almost all the way to I-65 (you can hear traffic near the end of the slough).  The giant slough has many acres of lily-pads.  So many that it would be easy to think you were in Florida.  We observed several Great Blue Herons and Egrets busy with their own fishing.  Small, bright red Cardinals, Purple Martins, and Mockingbirds were active along the riparian tree-lines.

The "stars" of the day though were Alligator Gar!  I was amazed at their jumps -- several feet out of the water.  Some gar were 4' or longer.  Quite impressive as they rocketed out of the water and fell back with a great splash.

Glenn saw one alligator near the end of the slough but could not determine his size.

I am never bored at the splendor of GOD's Creation.  HE is magnified in HIS work.

Brandon's Graduation -- Charles Henderson High School - May 2013

Food For Thought

"The quest for excellence is a mark of maturity.  The quest for power is childish."  

- Max Lucado

Food for Thought

"There are two dangers in not owning a farm: the belief that heat comes from the furnace and food comes from the supermarket."

- Aldo Leopold

Hiking Mountain Creek - Sat., 6/8/2013

 

Hike:  Mountain Creek, Saturday, 6/8/2013, 09:30-11:30CDT

Distance: 4 miles  Rating: 4/5  

Difficulty: Easy

Conditions:  Mostly cloudy. Light breeze.  Hot/humid.  Trails mostly dry.  Creek level low.  No other hikers on trail today.

Thoughts/Observations:

Gray squirrels, cardinals, thrashers, crows, and lizards kept me company today.  Oh... there were GNATS too!  Tons and tons of the little, bothersome creatures.  Guess I should have taken DEET or some other repellant....  It is amazing how much worry such a small creature can bring.

I did enjoy my hike -- in spite of the flying pests.  Even though summers in Alabama are hot and humid, I still enjoy getting out on the trails and drinking in the beauty of GOD's Creation.  I am blessed!

Tried out the Gerber Brush axe on the sticker-vines on the Hickory Hill Trail.  It worked quite well at clearing out even the tough "saw briars".  Altogether a useful tool to have around the homestead. 

Kayaking Upper Autauga Creek - Saturday 6/1/2013

Kayak: Upper Autauga Creek, Saturday, 06/01/2013, 10:15-12:30CDT
Distance: Approx 4 miles  (Up and Back)  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions:  Partly Cloudy, Hot. Humid
Thoughts/Observations:
Put in @ Brown's Construction on Autauga Creek.  Much deeper here than below the dam.  had a great time exploring the creek and swamp.  Bright red cardinal and beautiful Red-winged Black bird were treats along the journey.  Went as far upstream as practical -- downed tree blocked the creek and I did not want to risk falling in while attempting to portage.

This is one to do again!  Should bring fishing gear next time.

Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail (North) - Late Spring Hike - 05/25/2013

Hike: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail North, Chimney Rock Trail, Kowliga Bay Loop Trail, Saturday, May 25, 2013, 10:10-12:45CDT
Distance: 5.0 miles  Rating: 5.0/5.0
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate  (Some uphills, heat building)
Conditions: Mostly clear, blue sky.  Temps going into the mid to upper 80s.  Light breeze was nice.  Humidity was not bad.  Trails were dry and in good shape - a couple of blow-downs.
Thoughts/Observations:
The large amount of boat traffic on Lake Martin was a tip-off that this is a holiday weekend.  Saw one small sailboat amongst the flotilla.  Something about sailboats resonates inside my spirit.  Perhaps I should have been born during the "age of sail".  I would love to be able to "sail-away"  to some hidden cove or mysterious island.

Only one other person on the trail.  Otherwise, I shared the trails with numerous lizards, passarines, dragonflies, damselflies, and frogs. 

Thoughts on Psalms 139. 
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
Psalms 139:1-6 (NKJV)

Gear List:

• Emergency/Survival Kit Lite
• 1 Canteen of water
• New OKC SP8 Machete/Kit
• dSLR
• EsKaBar

Quote of the Day -- Friendship

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.

-- Schweitzer - Albert 

Autauge Creek Canoe Trail

http://www.autaugacreek.org/

I really enjoyed kayaking Autauga Creek a few years back.  The creek can be more challenging than you might imagine.  It is a "different world" while you are floating down the creek.  Many sights, sounds, and adventures that are missed by those hurrying through the city on cars await the paddler!

H5N1 Engineered with H1N1 -- Highly Pathogenic & Deadly

I must agree that this is highly irresponsible; even criminal.  The human-mind is a scary thing...

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/03/chinese-scientists-slammed-for-creating-mutant-influenza-virus-in-laboratory/?intcmp=HPBucket?test=latestnews

Published May 03, 2013



FoxNews.com


Chinese scientists are being criticized for their “appalling irresponsibility” after they intentionally developed a new mutant influenza strain in a veterinary laboratory, the Independent reported.



Experts have warned that the new virus strains could potentially escape the lab, which could cause a global pandemic and lead to the deaths of millions.



The viral mixing experiment was led by Professor Hualan Chen, director of China’s National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute. Chen and her colleagues mixed parts of the H5N1 bird flu virus with a 2009 strain of the H1N1 virus.



The H5N1 virus is not easily transmitted from person to person, but infections of this strain are highly lethal. The H1N1 strain used is very easily transmitted, making the combination of the two strains extremely dangerous.



According to the researchers, the study was meant to imitate how flu hybrids are created in nature, comparable to when pigs are infected with two different virus strains.



“The studies demonstrated that H5N1 viruses have the potential to acquire mammalian transmissibility by re-assortment with the human influenza viruses,” Professor Chen said in an e-mail.



“This tells us that high attention should be paid to monitor the emergence of such mammalian-transmissible virus in nature to prevent a possible pandemic caused by H5N1 virus,” she said.



Chen and her colleagues were able to create 127 different virus hybrids, five of which were airborne transmittable between guinea pigs in the lab.



Many experts have quickly slammed the research, including Lord Robert May, the Baron May of Oxford and former chief scientific advisor to the British government. Lord May said the study did nothing to further scientists’ understanding of flu pandemics.



“They claim they are doing this to help develop vaccines and such like. In fact the real reason is that they are driven by blind ambition with no common sense whatsoever,” Lord May told The Independent. “The record of containment in labs like this is not reassuring. They are taking it upon themselves to create human-to-human transmission of very dangerous viruses. It’s appallingly irresponsible.”

Quote of the Day -- Food for Thought

"No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation."

- General Douglas MacArthur

Mark Twain-ism ... Duh Department

"It is better to be careful 100 times than to get killed once."  

-- Mark Twain

Quote of the Day -- Thomas Jefferson

"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." 

 - Thomas Jefferson

My Choice for an Every Day Carry Flashlight...

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/flashlights/detail.asp?fid=016H&cid=371&tid=1231#center




I have enjoyed the Browning Alpha 90L flashlight for a couple of years now as my primary Every Day Carry.  Not as bright as some of the higher-end lights, but also no where near the expense.  The light rides well clipped in my pants pocket.  I find myself using this tool quite often at work, home, church, and outdoors.