Hiking Swayback - 2/28/2015

Hike: Modified Black Trail Swayback TOLA 10:15-13:00CST

Distance: 6.1 miles. Rating: 5/5

Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Partly cloudy. Moderate wind. Upper 40s to high 50s. Trails wet from recent rains. 

Thoughts: 

Wonderful day for a hike!  Bird and frog song filled the air.  I know it's still Winter but the full sunshine filled everyone with the promise of Spring.

I needed the solitude and praise time today.  This was good for my heart.

I love the "open forest" during this time of year.  You can see details of terrain far into the forest -- things that would be hidden from view during the Spring/Summer.

Ramblr Hike Link 

Quote of the Day - 1/29/2015

…the old Lakota was wise. He knew that a man’s heart, away from nature, becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to lack of respect for humans, too. So he kept his children close to nature’s softening influence.

-- Chief Luther Standing Bear, Lakota Sioux

Always Prepared 2 -- Crystal Clear

3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,

But the simple pass on and are punished.

Prov. 22:3 NKJV

Look to GOD:
As the Giver of Every Good and Perfect Gift  (James 1:16-17)
As the Author  (Hebrews 12:1-2)
     Of our Faith
     Of our Lives -- Let HIM write HIS story in your heart!
As your Guide  (Psalms 32:8-9)

Look for GOD:
To Show Up
To Work Mightly
To Do What We Cannot
To Always Be There

Look for Truth:
Proper Filter -- GOD's Word.  Make Value Judgments based on Real Truth.
Critical Thinking --  Use your GOD-given Mind!  Test what others tell you.
Be Right - Not Popular!

Look Around:
Don't rely on what you see in the "media".  Look all around.
See Doors Open/Close - What Opportunities may GOD provide?
Look Ahead -- Not just "right in front of you".
Deviate from the World   "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let GOD transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Compass Point:
Don't go around with "blinders on".  Take time to Look and Live.

 

Beautiful Day for a Hike

Hike: Lakeshore Trail. Swayback TOLA. Saturday, January 24, 2015, 10:00-12:48CST

Distance: 6 miles  Rating: 4.5/5.0  Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Mostly sunny and clear. Winds about 12mph. Low to upper 40's. Trails very wet from yesterday's rain. 

Thoughts/Observations:

Treated to bird and frog song. Quite lovely.

Hikers/trail runners outnumbered mountain bikers today. Was glad to see a couple of families with children out enjoying Creation.

Did a little testing on the OKC SP8. It is an accomplished chopper but can also be used as a draw knife, to feather sticks, for general camp tasks & shelter making. Because you cannot hammer with it I cannot say it completely replaces a camp hatchet or axe.

Always Be Prepared - Crystal Clear

 9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. 

Neh. 4:9 NKJV

Friendship Quote of the Day -- 1/23/2015

A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.  

~ William Arthur Ward

 

Love Quote of the Day - 1/19/2015

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” 

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers 

Quote of The Day - 1/16/2015

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
-- Prov 22:3 (NLT)

"Always Prepared"

Preparedness Quote 1/14/2015

“The stretching of your faith is immediate pain that results in ultimate gain. It is in the waiting that we become who we are meant to be.”
― Mandy Hale 

---------------------
... and we don't like to wait, do we?  Perhaps impatience is an enemy of faith.

 

Preparedness Quote of the Day - 1/13/2015

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
― Benjamin Franklin

Swayback Hike with The Brother

HIKE: Lakeshore Trail. Saturday 1/10/2015 10:00-12;30CST

DISTANCE: 7 miles. DIFFICULTY: Easy 

RATING: 4.0/5.0

CONDITIONS: Clear, sunny. Upper 30's to upper 40's. Calm. Trails wet. 

THOUGHTS/OBSERVATIONS:  

Lots of trail users today so only wildlife sightings were birds. Good time with my brother. Talked about world events and what we need to be doing to be ready. 

First Hike of 2015

HIKE: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail, Tallapoosa Co. AL, Friday, 1/9/2015 10:00-13:00CST

DISTANCE: 4.1 miles. DIFFICULTY: Moderate. RATING: 4.5/5

CONDITIONS: Mostly cloudy. Wind light. Temp upper 30's to low 40's. Trails slick with wet pine straw & covered with hardwood leaves. Made for slow/careful steps. 

THOUGHTS/OBSERVATIONS: 

Great to get out to Cherokee Ridge. Had the trails all to myself. No deer observed. Birds were busy, though not greatly abundant. Spotted a small passerine, which I tentatively identified as a golden crested kinglet, near trail's end.

As usual this was a time of worship & reflection. Particularly enjoyed my little "Rock Sanctuary".   Getting ready for Sunday's message on "The Way of Wisdom".

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:15-17 (NKJV)

Ramblr link for the hike details/data! 

Three Inspirational Quotes on Friendship to End 2014

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares."
― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life

"Life is an awful, ugly place to not have a best friend."
― Sarah Dessen, Someone Like You 

"We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.
Even longer,' Pooh answered."
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh  

Quote of the Day - 12/30/2014

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

~ C. S. Lewis 

New Year -- New Things

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
-- 2 Cor 5:17 (NKJV)

Quote of the Day - Christmas Eve 2014

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.” ~ Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian.

Hike Lakeshore Trail Swayback TOLA

Hike: Lakeshore Trail, Swayback TOLA, Saturday, 12/20/2014, 08:50-12:15CST
Distance: 6.7 miles  Rating: 4.5/5  Difficulty: Easy 
Conditions: Mostly cloudy.  Comfortable (upper 40s to low 50s). Calm.  Trails wet from recent rains.  Some standing water but conditions not too muddy.
Thoughts/Observations:

Lots of thoughts and prayer time about Liberty Church.  Serving there as Interim Pastor again.  Praying for GOD's design and direction.

Mostly tranquil hike.  A few gray squirrels scampering about but no whitetail deer observed.  Passerines were largely quiet. 

Hiked the complete Lakeshore Trail (in reverse).  One of my favorites.

Ramblr link for the hike

Quote of the Day -- 12/19/2014

"Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value." 

--Albert Einstein

Quote of the Day - 12/18/2014

"Maybe I can't stop the downpour, but I will always, always join you for a walk in the rain." 

- Unknown

Yellow Trail Swayback TOLA -- Hiking in the Rain

 

Hike: Yellow Trail Swayback Trail of Legends, Saturday, December 6, 2014, 10:06-12:10CST

Distance: 4.7 miles  Rating: 4.5/5.0  Difficulty: Easy

Conditions: Cloudy with Sporadic rain showers.  Upper 60s to low 70s.  Calm.  Trails in good shape - some standing water after the rain.

Thoughts/Observations:  

I might be a little weird (okay maybe more than a little) but I enjoy hiking in the rain.  The sense of solitude is palatable during a forest downpour.  This time of year, the rain drops fall almost unimpeded to the leaf-covered floor raising a beautiful cadence.  Something about that sound is so soothing to my spirit.

A few birds were braving the rain to sing and at least one squirrel was scampering about after the rain slacked off.  Otherwise I had the trails to my self.

I couldn't help but appreciate the lyrics to Neil Sadaka's "Laughter in the Rain" playing on Sirus/XM as I left the trialhead.

Thank YOU, LORD, for the joy of YOUR creation; the new beginnings; and the refreshing of YOUR rain.

Ramblr Link for this hike.