He makes springs pour water into ravines; it flows between the mountains. they give water to all the beasts of the fields; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
-Psalms 104:10-13 NIV
Posted in Daily Scriptures | Tags: Bible, Christian, Christianity, devotional, faith, mountains, spirituality
The air is distinctly fragrant with balsam and resin and mint, every breath of it a gift we may well thank God for. Who could ever guess that so rough a wilderness should yet be so fine, so full of good things. One seems to be in a majestic domed pavillion in which a grand play is being acted with scenery and music and incense, all the furniture and action so interesting we are in no danger of being called on to endure one dull moment. God himself seems to be always doing his best here, working like a man in a glow of enthusiasm. P80 Posted in Nature Writer Quotes | Tags: enviroment, nature, travel
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with honor and majesty. Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, who makes the clouds His chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind, Who makes his angels spirits, His ministers a falme of fire. You who laid the foundations of the earth, so that it should not be moved forever, You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At Your rebuke they fled; at the voice of Your thunder they hastened away. They went up over the mountains; they went down into the valleys, to the place which You founded for them.
-Psalms 104:1-8 KJV
Posted in Daily Scriptures | Tags: Christian, Christianity, devotional, faith, mountains, spirituality
I pulled into the trailhead parking lot just north of Sundance. As soon as I opened my car door it started raining. Since my time is limited here in Utah, I was not going to be denied. Luckily I packed a poncho that fits over my pack. loaded up and found the trail. This is one of the most beautiful trails that I have ever been on. The variety of trees and flowers coupled with the views were spectacular. These are the place that I feel the closest to God, and my heart was aching from all the beauty.
The trail is only two miles long to the Falls. The trail is not very steep of difficult, with only a few significant climbs. From the trail you can see the Sundance ski resort and the valley below.
I finally reached the falls and they were spectacular. I was on a ridge and I found a trail that led me down to the base of the falls. I snapped some pics and took a video of the falls which I posted on my facebook page.
On the way back to the car I took some pictures of wildflowers, the surrounding mountains, and some trees. This was a very peaceful and beautiful hike that anyone should be able to handle. I highly reccomend it if you are in the area.
Posted in 2011 Hikes | Tags: enviroment, nature, travel, utah
Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, inciting at once to work and rest ! Days in whose light every- thing seems equally divine, opening a thou- sand windows to show us God. Nevermore, however weary, should one faint by the way who gains the blessings of one mountain day ; whatever his fate, long life, short life, stormy or calm, he is rich forever. – “My First Summer in the Sierra”, John Muir (1911), P82
Posted in Nature Writer Quotes | Tags: nature, travel, utah
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renews like eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are opressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will nto always strice with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear him.
-Psalms 103:1-11 KJV
Posted in Daily Scriptures | Tags: Bible, Christian, Christianity, devotional, enviroment, faith, nature, spirituality, travel, utah
On Sunday September 11, 2011 I hiked a 5 mile section of the Nebo Bench Trail in Utah. I awoke at 3 am that morning and drive to Omaha where I boarded a flight to Salt Lake City. After a two hour flight time I
landed. I picked up my rental car and immediately headed south for the Nebo Loop Scenic Road. The weather was cool and cloudy. It was a perfect day for my first hike in Utah.
The trail quickley ascended into a canyon. There it crossed a meadow with a stream rolling through it. Then the trail started ascending at a quad aching pace. I was surprised to see so many cows grazing along the trail. There odor did not help the pleasant mountain air. The trail would comtinually ascend and then level off. Mt. Nebo was getting closer and closer with each impending step.
As I climbed higher, the views were becoming spectacular. To the east, I was starting to become higher than the other mountains around me. The trail started to get steep walking on the side of the mountain. Rocks were becoming more prevelant creating a few hazards in my way.
The trail was nearly vertical as I glanced at the looming canyon beneath me and the mountain I wanted to summit above me. Wildflowers were becoming more present and the trees were becoming less as I was heading toward a bowl at the base of the mountain. I am thankful that it wasn’t windy when I was out there.
I was not dead center in the bowl and the views were becoming even more spectacular. There was snow on the ground in certain spots and quite a few more rocks. As I ascended out of the bowl, I came to a cliff face with a beautiful mountain flower garden on top of it. The colors were spectacular.
As I passed the cliff, I started ascending again toward some pine trees that seemed like they were fighting gravity. By now, I had hiked around 5 miles give or take. I started a little before 11 am and it was nearing 2 pm. It occured to me that I wasn’t close to the trail that would link me to the ridge and take me to the summit. Disappointed, with my legs on fire, but satisfied I turned around and headed back for my car. I was hoping the trail would be easier going back then coming up. This was not the case for the first 2 miles. I had to take several breaks. Also, the lack of sleep and altitude acclimation was starting to get to me. I pressed on and after 2 hrs and 15 min I spotted my car. I was very happy and relieved. My quads were on fire, my heart was pounding, I had blisters, and I was sucking wind like no other. I loved it. It was an incredible challenge and a great hike. I checked and later found out that the trail I was on just hugs the shadow of the mountain. I had missed the turn to hit the summit. I am really hoping I get the chance to try this again.
Posted in 2011 Hikes | Tags: enviroment, nature, travel, utah
The place seemed holy, where one might hope to see God. After dark, when the camp was at rest, I groped my way back to the altar boulder and passed the night on it, � above the water, beneath the leaves and stars, � everything still more impressive than by day, the fall seen dimly white, singing Nature’s old love song with solemn enthusiasm, while the stars peering through the leaf-roof seemed to join in the white water’s song. Precious night, precious day to abide in me forever. Thanks be to God for this immortal gift. – “My First Summer in the Sierra”, John Muir (1911), P65
Posted in Nature Writer Quotes | Tags: devotional, enviroment, John Muir, nature, travel, utah
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble; incline Your ear to me; in the day that I call, answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned like a hearth. My heart is stricken and withered like grass, so that I forget to eat my bread. Because of the sound of my groaning my bones cling to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert. I lie awake, and am like a sparrow alone on the housetop. My enemies reproach me all day long; those who deride me swear an oath against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping, Because of Your indignation and Your wrath; for You have lifted me up and cast me away. My days are like a shadow that lengthens, and I wither away like grass. But You, O Lord, shall endure forever, and the remembrance of Your name to all generations.
-Psalms 102:1-12 KJV
Posted in Daily Scriptures | Tags: Bible, Christian, Christianity, devotional, faith, travel, utah
But what caused evolution? There they stick. To my mind, it is inconceivable that a plan that has worked out, through unthinkable millions of years, without one hitch or one mistake, the development of beauty that has made every microscopic particle of matter perform its function in harmony with every other in the universe, that such a plan is the blind product of an unthinking abstraction. No; somewhere, before evolution was, was an Intelligence that laid out the plan, and evolution is the process, not the origin, of the harmony. You may call that Intelligence what you please: I cannot see why so many people object to call it God.”
– “Three Days with John Muir,” World’s Work (1909) pp 11355-56, Doubleday
Posted in Nature Writer Quotes | Tags: enviroment, John Muir, nature, travel
hiking2christ 