Trinity River Trail - Fort Worth TX - 5/29/2016

Urban Hike: Trinity River Trail, Fort Worth TX; Sun 5/29/2016; 19:00-20:00CDT
Distance: 2.4 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 3.5/5
Conditions: Clear.  Warm.  Trail: paved, crushed-stone, and gravel
Thoughts/Observations:
Urban hike with Diane, Rob, and Roxie the Wonderdog!

Ramblr Link with Photos and Stats

San Antonio River Walk - Urban Hike

Urban Hike: River Walk San Antonio, TX; 5/23/2016 19:00-21:00CDT
Distance: 3.3 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 5/5
Conditions: Paved walkways, steps, bridges near river.  Very warm.  Sizeable crowd but not over-crowded
Thoughts/Observations:
Urban hike with Diane and Robert.  Saw "their bench".  Ate dinner at Texas Republic.  Viewed The Alamo.

Ancient cypress trees stand as sentinels along portions of the river walk.  Very well done.  Kudos to San Antonio.

Western Expedition Entry #1 -- 5/23/2016 -- Prologue

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
-- Psalm 18:2 NKJV

Thank YOU, LORD, for answering my prayers -- for protecting me, for healing me.  My bp is back to normal today.  For some reason, YOU did not want us at Big Bend.  The time at Enchanted Rock and especially Lost Maples was beyond description.  It is wonderful that YOUR plans are always so much better than ours!

I love YOU, LORD.

 Near the end of East Trail -- Lost Maples TX State Natural Area

 

Swayback Hike 05/14/2016

Hike: Portions of the Black and Red Trails at Swayback TOLA, Saturday, 5/14/2016, 08:00-10:30CDT
Distance: 5.7 miles  Difficulty: Easy; Family & dog friendly  Rating: 4.5/5
Conditions: Upper 60s to low 70s.  Wind light.  Trails damp from recent rains but no standing water or serious mud.  Gorgeous Spring weather -- quite a few people on the trail by the time I finished.
Thoughts/Observations:
Passerines in abundance today (I really enjoy the Cardinal).  Their songs always lighten my spirit.  Squirrel and chipmunk busy scampering about.

Thoughts/prayers for several individuals and for services tomorrow.  Excellent time for worship, praise, and meditation.

Quick Hike @ Swayback

 

Hike: Gold Trail, Swayback TOLA; Saturday, 5/7/2016; 08:00-10:00CDT

Distance: 4 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4/5

Conditions: Low 60s to low 70s.  Calm.  Mostly sunny.  Trails mostly dry and in good shape.  Some vines beginning to encroach on trails and flying insects are busy.

Thoughts/Observations: 

Bird choirs were well represented today.  Great opportunity to get-out and enjoy GOD's Creation -- to commune with HIM.  Certainly was refreshing after two long weeks of outage work.  Cut the hike short to get back home to spend some time with Kathy in the backyard and finish preparations for Mother's Day on Sunday.

 

Notable Equipment:  MountainSmith lumbar pack; Merrill Moab hiking boots; OKC RAT5; Ramblr app; REI trekking poles.

Early Spring Hike - Swayback TOLA - 3/19/2016

Hike: Mostly red trail at Swayback TOLA, Saturday, 3/19/2016, 08:30-11:30CDT
Distance: 5.3 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.5/5
Conditions: Mostly cloudy to partly cloudy.  Hi 50s to low 60s.  Trails wet/muddy in spots but not too bad.  One blow-down necessitated detour off-trail.
Thoughts/Observations:

Great day for a hike!  Avian chorus was in resplendent glory today! 

Pics to follow later...

Fort Toulouse Hike - 3/11/2016

Hike: Ft. Toulouse National Historic Park, Wetumpka, AL, Fri., 3/11/2016 08:30-10:30CDT

Distance: 3.2 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4/5

Conditions: Mostly clear.  Warm.  Calm.  Trails blocked in some spots by construction/repair work (Arboretum closed; bridge to Tallapoosa River closed).  Bottom area very muddy.  Alternate route had to be taken to the confluence of Coosa/Tallapoosa Rivers due to high water.

Thoughts/Observations:

 

Nice hike.  Some beautiful early Spring plants blooming.  Birds singing and squirrels scampering.  River levels were high and trails muddy (and in some spots closed).  Still enjoyed the solitude, worship time, and early Spring scene.

Quote of the Day - 3/9/2016

 

“God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools, and he has not been disappointed.
“If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity.
“Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.”

– The late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

Quote of the Day - Nancy Reagan



"To my young friends out there: Life can be great, but not when you can't see it. So, open your eyes to life: to see it in the vivid colors that GOD gave us as a precious gift to HIS children, to enjoy  life to the fullest, and to make it count. Say yes to life."

-- Nancy Reagan

 

 

Well said Mrs. Reagan.  Well said...

Mixed Greens Hike - Swayback Trail of Legends - 3/5/2016

Hike: "Mixed Greens", Swayback Trail of Legends, Lake Jordan Alabama; Saturday, 3/5/2016, 07:30-11:30CST

Distance: 7.5 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.5/5

Conditions: Clear. Calm. Lake tranquil.  Low 40s to low 60s.  Trails very wet/muddy from recent storms.

Thoughts/Observations: 

Absolutely fantastic day for a hike.  Could not ask for more perfect weather.  Clear skies.  Calm.  Cool temperatures (but no rain and no wind).  Trails were wet and muddy in spots, but not a significant issue.  Since I got an early start, I had no other company on the trails until 10:30 or 11:00.  Encountered a few mountain bikers and several hikers.  Kudos to a Dad taking two small sons hiking; a Mom hiking with her two young sons; and a Dad with his young daughter -- glad to see these families out enjoying GOD's Creation.

Birds of all types were busy today.  Several different woodpeckers were tapping out their respective cadences.  No gray squirrels were observed today.

Enjoyed my time of worship, prayer, and introspection.  Getting ready for church tomorrow!

 

Hike Statistics from Ramblr App.

Slide Show of Hike (from YouTube). 

Lakeside Hike - Swayback TOLA - Sat., 2/27/2016

Hike: Lakeside Trail, Swayback TOLA, Sat., 2/27/2016; 08:45-12:00CST
Distance: 4.7 miles  Difficulty: Easy.  Family and Pet friendly  Rating: 4/5
Conditions: Clear.  Beautiful blue sky.  Calm.  Lake was tranquil.  Low 30s at start headed to Hi of about 63 today.  Trails wet and muddy in spots from recent storms.  A couple of blow-downs due to previous stormy weather necessitated at least one minor detour.
Thoughts/Observations:
A little more comfortable hiking weather than yesterday due to calm winds.  Sky was clear and Lake Jordan was peaceful.  Only a couple of bass boats made an appearance.


Birds (of several different stripes) and gray squirrels were quite busy today.  Woodpeckers' cadence could be heard in several spots.

Encountered a few mountain bikers, a handful of other hikers, and a couple of dogs (both on leash -- and one of them needed to be on leash!).

Time of prayer and worship -- Hiking is a spiritual refreshing time for me.  It is cathartic to be immersed in GOD's Creation as I fellowship with HIM.

Ramblr link with Hike Stats and Pics!

GoPro video of Hike (YouTube)! 

Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail - Fri., 2/26/2016

Hike: Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail North Loop, Chimney Rock, South Loop Trails; Fri., 2/26/2016; 08:45-12:30CST
Distance: 6 miles  Difficulty: Moderate  Rating: 4.5/5
Conditions: Upper 30s to Low 50s; Wind: steady and moderate off the lake; trails in good shape; some white caps on the lake!
Thoughts/Observations: 
Absolutely PERFECT hike.  Thank YOU, LORD, for a wonderful day and hike!  Excellent time of worship and introspection.  Except for the occasional bird and one coyote, I had the trails all to myself today.

Tested out Black Diamond Alpine Ergo trekking poles -- five stars in my opinion.  Certainly made the ascents and descents easier to manage.  The Fjallraven Vida Pro pants were comfortable and certainly up to the demands of the trail.

“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 

Ramblr Link to Hike Stats and Pictures!

Video Blog of Hike (YouTube video)! 

Gold Trail - Swayback TOLA - 2/20/2016

Hike: Gold Trail, Swayback Trail of Legends, Sat., 2/20/2016 08:30-11:00CST
Distance: 4 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4.5/5
Conditions: Foggy to mostly cloudy.  Comfortable temps.  Light breeze.  Trails wet from recent rains.  A few muddy spots.  Saw no mountain bikers today, only trail runners or hikers.
Thoughts/Observations:
Quite enjoyable hike.  The moderate fog made for a mysterious hike.  Taking the Gold Trail was a treat.  It hugs the ridge line and offers panoramic views of the lake.  With winter at it's latest, and all of the leaves off the trees, one can see deep into the forest.  Some features are visible this time of year that you would never notice otherwise.

Several birds, including some noisy crows, were busy about spring preparations.  Woodland violets are blooming and I am getting spring-fever!

A good time of Worship and Reflection.  Thank YOU, LORD, for life and life more abundantly.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
² Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
⁴ Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
Psalms 19:1-4 NKJV

Ramblr link to hike statistics. 

VideoLog of this hike.

Lakeside Trail - Swayback TOLA 2/13/2016

Hike: Lakeside Trail Swayback, Sat. 2/13/2016 09:45-11:45CST

Distance: 5.8 miles Difficulty: Easy Rating: 4.5/5 

Conditions: Clear blue sky. Low 40s. Wind calm to moderate. Trails dry with a few muddy spots.
Thoughts/Observations:
A pristine blue sky was the backdrop for the entire hike today.  One could not have asked for a more perfect setting.  With cooler temps (lower 40s at start) and moderate winds the frog choirs were not active today.  Birds of all sizes were actively involved in "bird-business" though.  Their songs and squawking were joined by the trees moaning in the wind.  Altogether a wonderful hike.

I was glad to see the bright Northern Cardinal -- Spring is coming!

As I was hiking out the main trail toward the trail head, I met two families on mountain bikes.  They were riding in reverse order of age (youngest in the front).  I was impressed with the young girl's trail etiquette and presence of mind.  Upon seeing me she immediately yelled out to the riders behind "hiker ahead, move to the right".  There were about 6 kids from elementary age to teens with their two moms.  (Don't know why neither dad was present.)  Kudos to you both, Mom, for taking your children out on the trail!

Great prayer and worship time today.  Had the trails largely to myself.

Ramblr Link for my Hike Stats with some additional pictures. 

 Vlog of the hike (from Youtube).

 

Thought of the Day - 2/10/2016

 “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

 – Will Rogers

Fab Friday Hike @ Swayback

Hike: Lakeshore Trail Freestyle, Friday, 2/5/2016 09:30-12:30CST

Distance: 5.6 miles Difficulty: Easy Rating: 4.5/5

Conditions:  Almost perfect for hiking. Clear and quite cool. Moderate breeze. Trails wet from winter rains. No one else on trails. 

Thoughts/Observations: 

Bright azure sky contrasted by the gray and brown of the Southern winter forest was the setting for my hike today. I was serenaded by numerous birds and frog choirs. The forest itself joined the chorus as it swayed and moaned in the breeze. Altogether the forest & I worshipped our CREATOR. 

Ramblr link with Pics and Stats!

 GoPro hike video!

Hiking with the Brother - Smith Mountain Alpine Trail - 1/30/2016

Hike: Smith Mountain Alpine Trail, Lake Martin, Alabama, Sat. 1/30/2016  11:00-13:30CST

Distance:  3.5 miles  Difficulty: Moderate due to elevation changes  Rating: 5/5

Conditions: Perfect day for a hike! Low 70s. Calm to light winds. Mostly clear.  Trails in excellent shape.  Were more hikers than I am used to meeting.  Believe the "draw" of the new trail and Fire Tower makes for more people.  

Thoughts/Observations:  

Enjoyed exploring the "new trail" with my brother.  Wonderful vistas from atop the restored Fire Tower sitting on the top of Smith Mountain.  Skeleton of a fire service cabin sets at the base of the tower.  Good to see several families, some with small children, out enjoying GOD's Creation. 

Water levels were down as is typical for the Winter.  We were able to hike to several "small islands" that would have necessitated getting wet during warmer weather. 

"Exploring" this area brought back fond memories of growing up hiking the woods around Brundidge!

Hiking stats from Ramblr.


Video below is my feeble, beginning attempt at recording some of my hikes on video (GoPro).
YouTube video of Smith Mountain Alpine Trail Hike! 

Thought of the Day - Friendship

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thought of the Day

The Superstitions Arizona

Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.

~Henri Louis Bergson

Quote of the Day

 Photo from one of my Cherokee Ridge hikes...

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. ~Aesop