The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posted by: jakinnan | January 17, 2012
Lover of Nature
Posted in Nature Writer Quotes | Tags: books, earth, enviroment, life, nature, photography, photos, spirituality, travel
Posted by: jakinnan | January 17, 2012
Our Hike; His Majesty
I love this picture. My amazing husband, our daughter Katie, and our son James and I, are all scrunched together in front of the Upper Falls. Our faces look happy. In fact, we were thrilled! The hike up the Fish Creek Falls trail was brutal! It was our first hike in quite some time with any real elevation gain. Especially a gain that quickly!
When we started out, the kids were full of energy. We left the parking lot and headed downhill. We had done this hike in 2010 and they remembered the cool bridge and waterfall that was waiting for us at the bottom of the hill. They were all fired up!
I didn’t have the heart to remind them of the climb ahead. You can read right there on the trailhead marker that the elevation gain is 2400 feet. What the marker doesn’t say is that the gain will take place immediately! You really have to give these little guys some credit; they used every bit of strength and determination they had to get to the Upper Falls. It wasn’t without its trials though. We were all reminded that the air gets thinner the higher you climb, which equals HARD TO BREATHE! Nevertheless, we pushed onward and upward! We weaved in and out of pine and aspen trees that filled the air with their fragrance. We even took a little break to play in the small bit of snow on the side of the trail.
The kids seemed to have caught their second wind and were anxious to reach the lake that they were sure was just up the trail and around the next corner. They would run ahead, then slow down and then repeat where the trail leveled out. It wasn’t very long before the rocks began to jut out of the ground. Our balance was challenged, as was our determination. This was definately getting a little tricky!
It just kept getting harder and harder to balance. Before long, we were hugging the sides of the mountain. The trail and narrowed even more and ran right along side of a drop that would surely injure my babies if they were to lose their footing and fall. My senses were heightened and I started to pray that we would be safe.
I always pray when we hike, mainly because I don’t care to come face to face with any of the local wildlife. I pray for safety from injury, and I pray for God to show me something new; some part of Him that I have never seen before. This hike was no different.
I spent the ascent to the Upper Falls guiding James up the trail and assuring Katie that she would not fall off of the cliff and die! She is usually very adventurous, but she did NOT like being that close to the edge. Can you blame her?
We made it away from the edge, and arrived at the Upper Falls. Everyone was ready for a sit and a snack! Jason and the kids explored and I took a few minutes to thank God for keeping us all safe and just to marvel in the beauty of the falls. As I sat there, I began to think of the climb that we just conquered. I started to think of the hike Jesus took. His last hike, to Golgatha, were He was crucified.
We had just climbed over these harsh rocks in our super sweet hiking boots. He did it barefoot. We were shielded from the sun with our hats and sunglasses. He wore a crown of thorns. We carried a camera. He carried the cross. We had the weight of our packs filled with energy bars and trail mix. He had the weight of our sins. We had plenty of fresh water so that the slightest thirst would be quenched at once. He had a sponge soaked in sour wine mixed with gall.
I had prayed for the safety of my children, that they may not lose their footing and slip from the straight and narrow. How much more has Jesus interceeded for us to the Father? My family was right there with me, I could wrap my arms around them. How much more has he longed to wrap His arms around us, “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings”?
Once again, God had shown me something new. Tears streamed down my face as looked upon the water plunging down, over the rocks. I began to sing quietly: “Majesty, majesty Your graces found me just as I am, empty handed but alive in Your hands. Majesty, majesty forever I am changed by Your love in the presence of Your majesty.”
-Laural
Posted by: jakinnan | January 17, 2012
01/17/2012 Scripture
Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.”
-Phillipians 2:16 NLT
Posted in Daily Scriptures | Tags: Christianity, faith, Jesus, life, local, nature, photography, travel, utah
Posted by: jakinnan | January 16, 2012
Build Backpacking Muscles
Strengthen three key areas – shoulders, ankles, and core – this winter so you can tackle tougher trails next spring.
Illustrations by Supercorn
Muscle power is not just about hefting a heavy pack. “It gives you wiggle room for making mistakes and reduces your chance of getting hurt on-trail,” says weightlifting champion Dan John, whose workouts include hiking. “If you stumble under a pack on tricky terrain, strength improves your ability to react and recover.” Aim for at least three strengthening sessions a week.
A. Farmer’s Walk
>> Payoff Build sprain-resistant ankles and condition your bones, joints, and leg muscles for heavy loads.
>> Do it Find yourself a clear, 100-foot path (a long hallway or indoor track work well) and grip equal 10- to 50-pound weights in each hand. Start with weights that are a challenge to carry the entire distance. Keeping your back and arms straight, squat to lift the weights off the ground using your leg muscles, then straighten to a fully upright position, keeping the weights at your sides. Walk forward at a normal pace for 100 feet; stop and lower the weights. Work up to as many as 20 carries per workout.
B. Overhead Squat
>> Payoff Strengthen shoulders, hips, and hamstrings—the muscles you need to protect against injury under a weighted pack.
>> Do it Firmly grip a barbell and raise your arms above your head, angled 45 degrees from your body (like you’re making a “Y” shape). Position your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, with your toes pointed a bit outward. Keeping your arms up and back slightly arched, control your movement as you bend your knees as far as you can. “Drive your knees out and keep them pointed in the same direction as your feet as you drop your butt to your heels,” says John. Lift up by straightening your legs. Start with three sets of eight reps four times a week and drop to twice a week as you perfect form and increase weight. Start with a broomstick and move up to an unweighted barbell, then continue adding weight in 10-pound increments as you gain strength.
C. Bear Crawl
>> Payoff This cardio move builds the shoulders, core, and hip flexors and is great prep for scrambling or traversing tough terrain.
>> Do it Start by bending at the waist and reaching hands forward, keeping them flat on the ground (bend arms and legs). Evenly distribute your weight between your hands and feet. Move forward, “walking” on your palms and toes as quickly as possible. Rest for 45 seconds between sets. Start with five 10-yard crawls, and work up to 10 sets at 25 yards.
-Courtesy of Backpacker Magazine@backpacker.com
Posted in Training and Exercises
Posted by: jakinnan | January 16, 2012
The 10 Essentails for Hikers and Backpackers
The 10 essentials packing list was designed to ensure that hikers could a) respond positively to an accident or emergency, and b) remain safe if forced to spend one or more nights out. Here they are, along with some specific suggestions.
1. Headlamp: Get LED bulbs; they last longer. Good bet: Black Diamond Spot ($40, 1.8 oz. with no batteries, blackdiamond-equipment.com)
2. First-aid kit: Learn how to treat wilderness injuries at backpacker.com/firstaid. Good bet: AMK Ultralight/Watertight .9 ($36, 10.4 oz., www.adventuremedicalkits.com)
3. Sunblock: Opt for zinc, avobenzone, titanium, or Mexoryl. Good bet: Blue Lizard Australian Sensitive ($12, 3 oz., crownlaboratories.com)
4. Trail food: Carbs and electrolytes are key. Good bet: Clif Mojo Dipped ($1.39, 1.6 oz., clifbar.com)
5. Fire: Bring a lighter and firestarter. Good bets: A Bic plus Vaseline-dipped cotton balls stored in a pill bottle.
6. Knife: We like a lightweight multitool. Good bet: Victorinox Voyager Lite ($119, 4 oz., swissarmy.com
7. Water: Bring a sturdy container and backup purification tablets. Good bets: Nalgene Everyday 32-Ounce ($10, 6.2 oz., nalgene-outdoor.com); Aquamira ($17, 2 oz., aquamira.com)
8. Insulation: Think puffy. Good bet: GoLite Demaree Canyon 800-fill jacket ($200, 14 oz., golite.com)
9. Navigation: Pack at least a map and compass. Good bet: Silva Ranger 515 Compass ($55, 2.4 oz., silvacompass.com)
10. Raingear: Bring a waterproof/breathable shell, plus an emergency garbage bag. Good bet: Millet 350 ($350, 12 oz., millet.com)
-Courtesy of Backpacker Magazine @backpacker.com
Posted in Weekly Survival Skill
Posted by: jakinnan | January 16, 2012
Nature is Home
It has always been part of basic human experience to live in a culture of wilderness. There has been no wilderness without some kind of human presence for several thousand years. Nature is not a place to visit, it is home-and within that home territory there are more familier and less familier places.
-The Practice of the Wild: Essays by Gary Snyder,’The Etiquette of Freedom’-Pg. 7
Posted in Nature Writer Quotes
Posted by: jakinnan | January 16, 2012
Change in the John Muir Quote of the Day Category
We are going to make a change in the John Muir quote of the day category. We will be changing it to the Nature Writer Quote of the Day. We hope to feature several different writers as I am really trying to explore different authors in this genre. We will still use John’s work from time to time cause he is my favorite. If you have any suggestions for nature authors please let me know. Thank-you for supporting our mission and God Bless.
-Jason
Posted in Nature Writer Quotes
Posted by: jakinnan | January 16, 2012
01/16/2012 Scripture
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
-Romans 5:1-2 NLT
Posted in Daily Scriptures | Tags: Christianity, faith, Jesus, life, nature, photography, photos, travel, utah
Posted by: jakinnan | January 15, 2012
Hot Springs Trail near Steamboat Springs, CO
It was a beautiful Autumn day in the middle of October 2011. The weather was perfect and the kids were excited. This was going to be a 3 mile hike with a huge reward at the end. I would define this trail as a moderate level trail. There are a few ascents but nothing too difficult for a 7 and 9 year old. Around 10 am, Laural, the kids, and I set out with great anticipation.
An absolutely gorgeous fall morning outside of Steamboat. We parked at the Mad Creek trailhead(the trail we took the day before with the barn). We had to hike a quarter of a mile along the county road(be careful) to the old and abondoned county road. After going through the cattle gate and hiking along the road for another .25 mile we saw the sign(pic above) for the trail.
The world around was literally alive and bursting with color. There is no greater artist than God and he was showing off for us on this day.
After we passed all the beautiful trees and bushes we started our ascent up the mountain. The rocks came out and the forest closed in as we hiked next to a small creek.
The forest cleared and gave way to a beautiful meadow that had the reminents of an old cabin and a life of adventure that has passed. I love it that the kids get to see the adventurous spirit of people who are not afraid to pursue their dreams no matter what challenges lie in front of them.
What I loved about this trail besides our destination is the teaching moments we had with our children. We were able pick Old Man’s Beard off of trees which the kids saw Bear Grylls use on Man vs. Wild. We also ran into this along the trail which help us teach them about nature, situations, and the circle of life.
The kids studied their discovery and wanted to get a little more hands on. They however did not when we told them we were not too far from our destination.
I have never seen the kids so excited to reach our destination after a long hike. We were all excited to unpack our packs, put our suits on and jump right in.
This is Strawberry Park Hot Springs located six miles outside of Steamboat Springs, CO. You can get here by vehicle or a shuttle bus. We of coures prefer the road less traveled and hiked the 3 miles to the park. This place is a little piece of heaven on earth. There are 3 different pools that vary in temp from 95° to 105°. We sat in each one and there is a little waterfall that connects one pool to the other. The waterfall is warm and you can sit behind it and feel what it is like to be behind a waterfall, an awesome experience. The creek runs right through the park and actually cools the natural hot spring because it is so hot. The kids had fun running back and forth between the hot pools and the very cold(40°) creek. The only drawback to this experience is hiking back. After sitting in the pools for a couple of hours; your legs begin to feel like jello. This one of the most enjoyable and relaxing hikes we have ever taken. Highly recommended.
Posted in 2011 Hikes | Tags: colorado, hiking, life, mountains, nature, personal, photography, photos, travel
Posted by: jakinnan | January 15, 2012
Nevada in Heaven
Nevertheless, it is no longer Nevada in heaven, but Nevada on earth, wearing the garments of minted snow with terrestrial grace, a creature with whom mortals can blend. Nevada lake died in storm, went to heaven, and, ere the dawn of a sun-measured day, came back to her mountain home.
-John of the Mountains – Pg. 85
–http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iByd6U0O8CFMSL3NWGPevQ
Posted in Nature Writer Quotes | Tags: books, Caifornia, earth, enviroment, John Muir, nature, photography, spirituality, travel
hiking2christ 