Generals
AT - In His Glory
Images of His creations on the Appalachian Trail (Graphic Heavy)
Look at what God made!
**********************
The Smoky Mountains are among the oldest, most beautiful and awe-inspiring mountains in the world. They are a part of the ancient Appalachian Mountain chain, and date way back to pre-cambrian times. There's plenty of fossilized marine life, folded rocks and beautiful forests under and over 6,500 feet. The Smokies are in the Southern portion of the mountains and contain the tallest peaks in the chain. This region is also the ancient homeland of the Cherokee Indians who have roots here that go back over 5,000 years.
The AT (Appalachian Trail) runs the backbone of the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia through Maine. A painted 2" x 4" white blaze on some trees marks the entire 2,200 mile trail through 14 states. It is a journey, at once or in part, of epic proportions. Every year hundreds begin the journey, but only 20% - 25% finish it. On average it takes about 6 months to hike the AT depending on conditioning. The journey changes everyone. Some through-hike the whole trail at once while others with worldly responsibilities (like me) section hike it over many years. I try to go for a few weeks at a time. There are even stories of those who completed the trail and were so moved they turned around and started hiking it back!
About my journeys here, it does me great good to pick up a couple of hiking poles and head out - in spite of the fact that I walk with a cane due to a service disability. I can literally hike, using my legs AND arms, easier than I can walk. I praise the Lord for it. Unless I become completely crippled I should be able to finish the dream of completing the AT within the next 5-10 years. His Grace beats in my heart here like no place else.
**********************
I'll be posting photo's of His glorious works in the remote and rugged mountains of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tenessee. This batch is the best of a recent hike we took in August. It's in the Smoky Mountains on the AT from Newfound Gap to Peck's Corner Shelter.
Enjoy!
by Generals on 2011-09-13 02:57:45