Beautiful view from the banks of the Batsto River

 

Waterfalls hidden from the trail

 

A beautiful pond in North Carolina called Patsy's Pond. Had to hike the trail to get to the pond, as that was my sister's name

 

Approaching the railroad tracks on the Mullica River trail

 

Hiking is for the birds

Hiking is for the birds, some say. And I say, yes it is. It’s also tremendous exercise, great for sightseeing, contemplation, a moment to reflect on life and a time to be alone with God. And yes, for bird watching.

It’s that alone time in nature that the best ideas surface in my mind. The quiet of nature in God’s world, listening and speaking on his Word. It’s the next best thing to a chapel.

It makes no difference of the season, although I do prefer spring and fall. Rain or shine, although I do prefer the sun. It’s just that sometimes you need to get away, and the woods seem to be the place to go.

Even a short one or two mile hike can easily clear some cobwebs from your mind and even energize your brain from the scent of pine, leaves and some flowers.

It has been a mild winter, but I still look forward to spring. Colors change even in the pine barrens with the many bushes, trees and grasses that begin to come to life adding a new shade of green to the woods.

It won’t be long and I guess I’ll just have to be patient

Just had to get on the trail

The hot humid summer was for the longest time pacing itself at a crawl. Hiking was difficult, especially at my age. But, every once in a while, a morning hike just had to be done. Had to be quick and not as long as I would have liked.

Every season in the woods has its special colors and aromas, anywhere from green and pine scent to brown and damp leaves scent. The woods are beautiful and the trails a wonderful place to reflect on God’s world.

It offers a wonderful window of opportunity to just thank God for the many blessings he has given his children. And, in the woods alone, it’s just you and our Lord. Talk, listen, pray and take in all the marvelous pictures of his world.

Batona Trail in South Jersey

Tranquility

It's called Tranquility,  hiking in God's world on the Mullica River Trail. It's almost like a chapel.

He made our day

We took a camping trip last week to the Delaware Water Gap and did a little hiking of the Appalachian Trail. It began as a sightseeing tour around the area one afternoon and we found the trail just off of a beautiful look out point. Unfortunately, we weren’t prepared to hike any long distances. Wish we had brought our gear.

Even the short time on the trail, we still met some very interesting people, a few were section hikers and some were through hikers, hiking from Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine.

One in particular was a man with a story. Most hikers have a trail name they use on the trail and his was Sleeves. Not sure why he chose Sleeves and I wish I had asked him. He had been thru-hiking the AT last year and close to the trail at the Delaware Water Gap, broke his tibia.  Sleeves was determined that after the healing process he was committed to completing the Appalachian Trail this year.

When we met him, he was resting on a large rock on the trail and next to him was a this crooked wooden stick, actually resembled an Irish shillelagh.   We got talking. I think what impressed me most about Sleeves, was his attitude and his gratefulness to God. He commented a few times on God’s world and beauty.

I believe he had only hiked about eleven miles that day and was ready to find a place to camp. Every word he spoke, he spoke with a sincere smile and when we parted, my wife and I asked God to bless him and he returned the blessing with an even greater smile. So glad to have met him and we pray for his safety and completion of his journey.

Out there is God’s world and on many trails are God’s people, who just make your day.

Abandoned railroad tracks

The abandoned tracks on the Mullica River Trail, a reminder of long ago travel. Even the trees are growing in the middle of the tracks. But yet it is so peaceful. You can't help but to let go and feel God's presence in the midst of the outside chaos. Sometimes you just have to get away.

On the trail is a small area that allows you to launch a small canoe and provides a beach area.

Spring

In God's world  and what a beautiful world he created. This I took at Batsto Lake on my way to the Mullica River hiking trail

A tent Like no other

The bottom picture was taken close to 35 years ago. The picture above, last year with the same tent. They don't make tents like that anymore