Natural Bridge – 8/16/2008

Laurie couldn’t wait to go hiking again. This time we chose Natural Bridge State Park, and it was a beautiful day for a hike. I forgot the camera so all we got are these cell phone pics. At least it’s better than nothing.

 

We got on the trail about 11:30.

We took the Rock Garden trail up to the bridge. This trail which branches off from the original trail is 1.75 mi.

 

We were hiking pretty slowly because she didn’t link the plants growing around the path (“Is that poison ivy?” every 30 seconds) and it seemed like every little bug made her jump.

<<12:45pm – Laurie at the base of a rock stairwell.

 

1:07pm – Laurie in the “Rock Garden”>>

 

 

 

<< 1:38pm – Laurie was excited she could go thru the squeeze with even touching the sides.

1:45pm – On top of the bridge with Lover’s Leap in the background. >>

 

 

We returned by the Original Trail and got down about 2:30pm after about 2.5 miles.

First day of school

Today Laurie started 3rd grade and Abigail started Kindergarten. Sorry, Laurie but Abigail’s getting all the press here because it’s a big deal to start K. But you’re getting the hiking posts right?

 

Nice parallel parking job mom!

 

 

 

  Walking to class…

 

and signing in…

 

 

 

 

Finding her locker…

 

and getting settled. Her best friend from pre-school Isabelle (foreground) is also in her class.

They both had a great day and loved it very much. We went to Joe Balognas for dinner with Gramma, Pops, and the Cyndee, Jay and Turner. This is a long standing first day of school tradition. Jim Oldach also joined us.

Hiking with the Offspring

I took Laurie on her first big hike today. We went to the Berea College Forest and climbed up to the overlook on Indian Fort Mountain. She was so excited all of last night and this morning and she loved it. She even wanted to go over to the West Pinacle which was visible from where we were. She was a trooper but I knew that would be too much. She did convince me to go over toward the East Pinnacle (over mostly level ground) up to the meadow area. She didn’t like it there because of all the bees though.

Laurie’s favorite part was no doubt Tilley the local dog who followed us around until a group of teens came by and then she took off with them them. I think this is the same dog I saw here nearly 4 years ago. I’m not sure she’s had a bath since then either, but she’s a very sweet dog.

I’d say we covered about 3 miles with some steep climbing at times. It look like I may have a real hiking partner in the family. We finished it all off with some Root Beer and lunch back in town before heading home.

Atalaya Mountain – 6/5/2008

Atalaya Mountain is a 9,100 foot peak located just to the east of Santa Fe, NM. The trail head is on the campus of St. John’s College. Numerous road signs in Santa Fe lead to the college (good thing because there are lots of turns) and the trail parking is well marked.

My original plan had been to hike to Santa Fe Baldy, a 12,600 ft peak. However at that trailhead I found a couple of inches of fresh snow and I was not at all dressed properly for that kind of weather. So this was my consolation prize.

Abigail’s Prayer

Well I guess I’m official now. My wife has announced my blog in our Christmas letter. So if you’re visiting after reading our letter, a big “Welcome” to you. Feel free to comment and come back. I doubt I’ll ever be a daily blogger but maybe I can handle weekly at least.

Now, on to today’s title “Abigail’s Prayer.” This is not the Abigail of King David, but rather my 4 year old, sweet as can be, very funny, even when she doesn’t mean to be, but doesn’t want you to laugh (at her she thinks) when she’s being serious, Abigail. Tonight before dinner she asked to say the prayer and it went a little something like this (with my thoughts in parentheses)

Thank you for the food.

Thank you for the roosters.   (roosters?)

Thank you for the world.

Thank you for reindeer.  (I’m starting to get a little amused, but still well under control, until …)

And the reindeer in heaven that were kicked by the woman.  (the what???)

OK, I’m dying now trying not to laugh, and Leslie’s losing it too, and even Laurie’s getting the giggles. And that of course ends the prayer because we’ve hurt her feelings. Sweet thing. So we all get calmed down, and apologize, and try to get an interpretation. Leslie finally get out of her that it’s for a deer that was hit by a car and laying by the side of the road she saw (sometime in her life) and that’s how the explanation worked itself out in her little brain I guess. And then we had a nice dinner, but that was definitely a classic, even by her standards.

Blessings to all!  -Jim

Catching up

Can you believe it’s almost Christmas? Seems like it was just summer yesterday. Well I guess I’m not being a very diligent blogger so far but I’ll try to work on that.

 

I was in Dallas last week and got back in time to take the girls to a Santa party at work. I missed Abigail’s school performance that morning though. Here’s a picture of the girls after the program.

This blog is getting started…

slowly by surely. I’ve got a few hikes and trip summaries online now, at least most of what I had on the other site. FYI, I have decided to date the posts with the date I actually went on the hike or trip. I also plan to put up a geographically based overview trip locater to help you easily find areas you’re interested in.

I was getting very frustrated with WordPress. I love the features and layout it offers but I found their interface very buggy, especially when using photos, which I’m obviously using a lot. So I decided to give Blogger a try. It was easier to work with, but nowhere near as full featured as this. Plus someone had already taken “Jim’s Journeys” (the nerve). So I wasn’t pleased with that either. Then after some research I found out about blog writer software that you use on your local computer then upload when you’re ready. I elected to go with Windows Live Writer and I love it. I can now get all the benefits of WordPress without being stuck with the buggy interface. Highly recommended!

Here are some pictures of the girls going to a Fall Festival party last month. I’ll put some pictures from Trick or Treat up later.

 

Can’t forget Chloe. I caught her taking a nap with Laurie’s pig.

 

My first blog post!

Hello and welcome to my first blog. My primary goal is for this to be a place to keep a record of my travels, hikes, and landscape photography. I tried this with my own web site for a while but it was a lot more effort than I was willing to put into it so hopefully this will be a lot less work. I’m doing this to help me remember the details of some of my adventures that seem to fade over time, to share them with my family and friends, and perhaps to help prepare someone looking to visit some of these places, just as I have been helped by others recording their adventures on the internet.

I’m sure as I get into this more I’ll be sharing everyday events and thoughts like all you other bloggers out there too. Anyway, please enjoy, thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment.  Blessings!  -Jim

Yosemite – Jan. 2005

Leslie and I went to Yosemite and Kings Canyon after attending the fantastic Zoe Group Look to the Hills worship conference in Fresno.

 

Laurel Falls – 10/30/2004

Laurel Falls is a nice double waterfall about 60-feet high.  The walk to the falls is a relatively easy uphill hike over a 1.3 mile paved path.  As a result this is a very popular hike, so if you’re looking to get away by yourself this is probably not the hike for you unless you continue on past the falls.  To get to the trailhead take US441 south from Gatlinburg and turn right onto Little River Road next to the visitors center.  The trailhead is about 3 miles ahead on the right.