I really needed to be alone with God today, and going on a quiet hike usually helps. When I’m not concentrating on my footing, my panting, or my impending death by rattlesnakes, I can pray. That’s what I did tonight, for a two-hour hike to Dog Lake. I got the idea from my friend’s blog post about it.

Won't you be my, won't you be my, won't you be my neighbor?


Gee golly, what's that dark thing moving in the brush?

So I go all the way to Alaska to see a moose, and I fail. Then when I'm not looking for one I find one in my backyard. Hi, moose.
Here’s a video of the most adventurous part of the hike:

I love aspens.

Sometimes the woods smelled like apples!

Dog Lake

I basically have four legs now. See my shadow? I will never again hike without these poles. The other day my hiking buddy saw me carrying them instead of using them, and he said, "See? They just get in the way." NO! NO THEY DON'T! YOU get in the way! I carry them when the path is really narrow or level. Otherwise I put them to good use. They are so helpful for support, and they put an extra spring in my step. One of the most thoughtful and helpful presents I've ever received.

I'll have to admit, even though I hate when people scratch their names into tree bark, I did find this etching to be sweet.

On my way home.
A couple times on this hike, I thought, “I really miss my dad.” I think he crossed my mind for several reasons. First, I just thought he would find the hike very enjoyable and beautiful. Second, there were patches of the trail where the surrounding green foliage smelled like the kind we passed on walks in Marietta, where we used to live. Third, I thought he would’ve gotten a kick out of seeing a moose. Fourth, he could’ve protected me from said moose. Fifth, my friend got married today, and as I thought about their ceremony while I hiked, I also thought about how it was a bittersweet celebration for her…because although she is only a few years older than I am, her dad is no longer living. He died of ALS a few years ago—probably when she was my age. So her dad did not get to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. That made me thankful that I can miss my dad, but not forever, because I’ll get to see him again in a few months. And I hope he’ll still be around to walk me down the aisle when I can finally make enough money to bribe someone into marrying me.
One final reason I thought of Dad on this hike is because I met a Brittany Spaniel dog down at Dog Lake (which lived up to its name, as five different dogs dove in the water to chase a stick). I asked what the dog’s name was, and the owner said, “Jessie.”
“Really? We used to have a Brittany named Jessie!”
“Her middle name is Jane: Jessie Jane.”
“Ours was Jessie Jenn!”
I remember picking Jessie out with my dad, and naming her together. What are the chances?
All in all, it was a joyous, peaceful, exhilarating, fun hike. I hope we will be good stewards of this precious earth God gave us. I want all future generations of people to enjoy this nature I get to enjoy.
I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. —Psalm 50:11
Let the rivers clap their hands,
Let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the LORD —Psalm 98:8-9a

















































































