My husband, my daughter and I went hiking at Meeman-Shelby State Park in Tennessee today. This park has a really beautiful 3 mile trail which has several hills for us to climb so we can train for our hike this summer on a section of the Appalachian Trail. We really had a lot of fun! Even my 16-year-old was enjoying it. (By the way, that is her to the left. The picture at the top of my blog is also of her when I first started this blog!)
I had no problem hiking the flat parts of the trail, probably because I’ve been walking in our neighborhood. But when we got to the hills, I found out how out of shape I really am. I could barely make it up without gasping for oxygen! lol Of course my husband and daughter kept on trucking right up the hill without even a pause. So I think we need to keep hiking trails that allow us to climb hills!
But overall I really enjoyed this hike. Not only did we burn a lot of calories, but I just love being in the woods and in nature. It’s so different from the suburbs. Even though there is a lot of brown this time of year, my husband noticed trees that still had beautiful silvery leaves on them throughout the forest. They were very ethereal and magical looking, like bright lights amidst the brown of the woods. We hiked along a little stream that had small sandy beaches and over roots that made stair steps up the hills.
I also love being out in nature because I get to see the amazing beautiful things God has made, all the variety, infinite possibilities of the way things can grow and develop. God is such an awesome artist. It’s like nature is a great masterpiece that is larger than any masterpiece made by human hands. And it lives and moves and grows and changes, becoming more beautiful and unique. It is a living masterpiece that is truly greater and more powerful than any other. I love being out in it and absorbing the beauty of God’s creation.
Despite the difficult hills, afterwards I felt so energized and ready for more! I can’t wait for the next chance to hike again, hopefully next weekend. And hopefully I can talk my 13-year-old daughter into joining us next time!
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." 1 Chron. 16:34
“God is such an awesome artist. It’s like nature is a great masterpiece that is larger than any masterpiece made by human hands. And it lives and moves and grows and changes, becoming more beautiful and unique. It is a living masterpiece that is truly greater and more powerful than any other.”
That- is some beautiful prose.
Now, if my area would just dry out enough so we wouldn’t bog down so we can walk, too….
Lol I hope it dries up for you too! Blessings!