East Inlet Trail, Rocky Mountains - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus"

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lost heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Shores Waterfront Park Trail

 

Cascade Falls - To Climb the Liquid Mountains of the Sky

 "It's wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky.  Behind me and before me is God and I have no fear."

Helen Keller

Congaree National Park

 

Congaree National Park protects the largest remaining tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in North America.  The boardwalk is a 2.4 mile loop roundtrip.  The Weston Lake is an oxbow lake. It was once a bend in the Congaree River.  Over 2,000 years ago the river gradually changed its course and meandered south, leaving behind Weston Lake.  The standing dead trees are called snags and are full of insect, spiders and fungi.  The summer heat would make this park unbearable with flies and mosquitoes.   There are no ocean breezes or cool mountain air so hiking the park is best in the spring or winter.

Renewal of Spring

Spring is here and nature has a rebirth and renewal of new growth, bright colors and perfect skies.

 'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect.'

Romans 12:2

The Grass Withers, the flower fades

 

The Voice said, "Cry out!"  And he said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All flesh is grass,
And all its loveliness is like
the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
Because the breath of the 
Lord blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God 
stands forever."

Isaiah 40:6-8

Wintery Guana Loop Trail

It is winter in Florida with strong winds, gray skies, rain and lots of migrating birds.  Took a hike on the Guana Loop Trail and Marshview Lane at the GTM National Estuarine Reserve.  Even though it rain heavily the day before, the trail was dry and cold enough to keep the snakes hibernating.

Deep Creek Loop Hike

There are so many creeks and streams in the Smoky Mountains.  This one was located in the Deep Creek Trailhead located north of Bryson City, North Carolina.  We hiked to one of the waterfalls in the loop.

Don't Walk Hallow Twisted Woods at Night

On the hiking trip in Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve, there are a lot of bare and twisted trees growing in the wetland.  I would not want to walk in these woods at night.  I was weary of snakes in the tall grass.

A Hike to Tolomato River

Walked first hiking trail in several months at Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve off A1A located between Vilano Beach and South Ponte Verde.

Mt. Taranaki Rising Above the Clouds

 

 

 

 

 We visited Egmont National Park and hiked the Summit Track on Mt. Taranaki until we were in the clouds and could see at cloud level New Plymouth below.  As typical, it was a rainy and misty day and Mt. Taranaki was surrounded by rain clouds. I think all the mountains in the North Island should be called Misty Mountains Cold because that was what we endeared with every hike.

"Farewell we call to hearth and hall!
Though wind may blow and rain may fall,
We must away, ere break of day
Far over the wood and mountain tall."

Excerpt from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

A Rainy Taranaki Falls Track

 

 

 

 

 

 

 When you are on vacation and you have a tight schedule, you don't allow rain to get in your way.  Taranaki Falls Track was hiked on a cloudy and rainy day.  The track is a two-hour loop that starts from Whakapapa Village to Taranaki Falls. The falls is on the Wairere Stream. Visibility was very poor but it made some interesting photos with hanging clouds, foggy overlooks and misty streams.

Auckland City Walk, Cascade Kauri Regional Park, New Zealand

The Auckland City Walk is a 50 minute drive from central Auckland.  It is located at the end of Falls Road and adjacent to the Waitakere Golf Club.  The native trees on the walk include Totara, Kauri and Kahikitea.  There were several stream crossings and some nice waterfalls and the area is surrounded by bush-clad hills.  The Kauri Tree is New Zealand's largest and most famous native tree and one of the world's mightiest trees. The immense size of some of the trees were left over from the European settlers in the nineteenth century who devastated much of the area with  timber cutting.