Hummingbird Trail

Les and I have been getting out on the trails a bit more lately.  It's a great way to spend time together.  Since I'm not fast on my bike and Les isn't a runner, hiking is something we can do together.  We decided to explore a trail near us last Friday called the Hummingbird Trail.  This is near the Hummingbird Nest Ranch, a 130 acre event venue that is used for parties, weddings and filming.

 

 

We started out and the trail was nicely marked and not too tough, but it didn't take long for that to change.  We climbed over boulders and scrambled up super steep paths.  We didn't see trail markers for quite a bit of it and this guy, with an amazing internal GPS, kept us from actually getting lost!

At about 1.8 miles we connected with the Rocky Peak Trail.  This is a trail that is used frequently.

We then started making our way back down to where our car was parked.  Even though I had hiking poles, there were some sections that were so steep I finally just sat down and slid my way down!  It actually made the trip a little faster and I was able to keep going without any injuries.

 

 

If you're not familiar with American Sign Language, that's an "I Love You" sign.  It didn't show up in the shadow, but Les captured my hand without meaning to.  

Our total distance was 4.18 miles in just under two hours of moving time.  I rate this a 10 out of 10 on the strenuous scale!  It was tough and not one that I think I'll do again anytime soon.  But still a great outing with my best friend.

Repost: Let Freedom Ring

I orginally posted this on July 4, 2011 and wrote:  I wonder how many of the verses to this song would be eliminated today because of so many references to God?  I'm so sad to say that our country has fallen much further away from God in the past eleven years.  But Pastor White reminded us yesterday, that 1 Samuel 12:23 says, "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you."  We must keep praying for our country and our families.

AMERICA
My country, 'tis of Thee Lyrics
by Samuel F. Smith - 1832

My country, 'tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.


My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills,
My heart with rapture thrills
Like that above.


Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet Freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.


Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With Freedom's holy light,
Protect us by thy might
Great God, our King.


Our glorious Land to-day,
'Neath Education's sway,
Soars upward still.
Its hills of learning fair,
Whose bounties all may share,
behold them everywhere
On vale and hill!


Thy safeguard, Liberty,
The school shall ever be,
Our Nation's pride!
No tyrant hand shall smite,
While with encircling might
All here are taught the Right
With Truth allied.


Beneath Heaven's gracious will
The stars of progress still
Our course do sway;
In unity sublime
To broader heights we climb,
Triumphant over Time,
God speeds our way!


Grand birthright of our sires,
Our altars and our fires
Keep we still pure!
Our starry flag unfurled,
The hope of all the world,
In peace and light impearled,
God hold secure!