I got some wild, wild life
Thats a Talking Heads reference by the way. First a quick history lesson. Teddy Roosevelt is one of my favorite US Presidents (Very close second to Ronald Reagan) and a quote of his came to mind during a little trek I took this weekend and I always thought this quote was "Walk softly and carry a big stick" so I did my typical Wiki research (I love the wiki) and as it turns out this was a West African proverb that he had heard and the actual quote was "SPEAK softly and carry a big stick, you will go far" and here is his first use. Got it? This brings me to....
I have it stuck in my mind that one day I would like to go up a mountain (Kilimanjaro 2008 maybe?) .... not rock climbing (I want to get out in it but I'm not crazy) so I've decided the best way to accomplish this task is to get out into the woods and start putting some miles in hiking. I know I know its Florida its flat but that's not the point. The point is if I'm going to do this I have to start somewhere and the first step is going to be experience. Roughly 10 miles from my house there is a trail head to the Florida Trail which begins at the "ruins" of an old sugar plantation at Bulow Plantation and runs south to Bulow Creek State Park and the Fairchild Oak. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-6.5 miles.
What a cool experience this was. Most of my friends are either too lazy for such an undertaking or just not interested in this sort of thing so I took off on my own. I bought a $9 hiking pole at Wal-Mart that had a little compass in the top. My backpack consisted of bug repellent, snake bite kit (I don't think I would know what to do with this if I had to actually use it), 3 bottles of water, 3 gatorades and a couple of Zone bars. I know that's a little overkill on the fluid and food but its Florida its hot and I'm not entirely sure how far I'm going so Id rather be over than under prepared. Four and a half hours, 12(?) miles, and some of the coolest woods I've ever seen later and I've officially completed my first little hike. The sad part is this is in my own back yard and while I've seen these trees many times from the road either on my bike or in a car cruising down Old Dixie Highway I've never been on the inside looking out.
At the start I was a little timid, being my first time out, the further you get in every little ruffle of leaves puts a little lump in your throat. However, as you grow accustomed to it the only startling ones tend to be when its an actual animal. Who knew one little armadillo could make so much ruckus? Didn't really see much "wildlife" that I haven't seen in my own back yard 4-5 deer an armadillo, small turtle, couple of small snakes, huge woodpeckers, humming birds, butterflies.
The most surprising part to me were the trees! Here I thought I would be out walking in sand and the open sun and for the most part. There are very few spots where you are in complete sun the majority of the hike is in shade and beautiful. I used this as a great time to spend alone with God and thinking about all the wonderful things he has created and created in me. "When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made". I didn't see a single person on the trail with the exception of a few folks in cars who had driven out to the Fairchild Oak. I had no problem with mosquitoes or bugs with the exception of I found a couple ticks when I returned home...which gave me the heebie jeebies.
I'll probably make another trek this weekend starting where I left off most likely and maybe just maybe get a little courage and swing an overnight out of it don't know about doing that on my own though we'll see.
Every year they do a Century ride that takes place on most the routes I typically ride all rolled into one glorious day on a bicycle. That's glorious until the heat kicks in at around noon and the cramps are relentless. I haven't done much more than a handful of 50+ mile rides since the Great Floridian but figured if I can't keep up with the group I'm in I'll just take it easy and soft pedal home. HA! At mile 80 I cramped so hard on the inside of both thighs it shot me out of my seat. Got dropped by my group... obviously. I couldn't seem to shake them out so had to stop and shake and stretch every 5 miles or less and spent the last 20 on my own getting baked feeling exhausted and near delusional from the heat. This ride was going really smoothly before the cramps I was feeling strong all day I was surprised at myself but when them suckers hit "whew doggie" [Jed Clampett] turned out to be one of the most miserable times I've ever spent on a bike. Had plenty of water, endurolytes, and bananas (at SAG stations). Just the sudden jump in mileage most likely was the problem. Ended up doing the 100 miles in somewhere around 5 hours.
I also attended a membership talk at my Church on Sunday afternoon....I'm still unsure of my thoughts on Church membership I'm just so curious about having to sign a dotted line to participate in God's work. I at least wanted to attend the talk or 'class' to see what it was all about before making any decisions. I've been praying fervently about this these past few weeks. I just don't know yet. Any thoughts?
So In summation: Teddy Roosevelt was a great president, 4 Hour-12 Mile Hike Saturday, 112 Mile-5+ Hour ride Sunday, still don't know what I believe in regards to Church membership. Good?
What a great weekend!
Saturday - Some Florida Trail
I have it stuck in my mind that one day I would like to go up a mountain (Kilimanjaro 2008 maybe?) .... not rock climbing (I want to get out in it but I'm not crazy) so I've decided the best way to accomplish this task is to get out into the woods and start putting some miles in hiking. I know I know its Florida its flat but that's not the point. The point is if I'm going to do this I have to start somewhere and the first step is going to be experience. Roughly 10 miles from my house there is a trail head to the Florida Trail which begins at the "ruins" of an old sugar plantation at Bulow Plantation and runs south to Bulow Creek State Park and the Fairchild Oak. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-6.5 miles.
What a cool experience this was. Most of my friends are either too lazy for such an undertaking or just not interested in this sort of thing so I took off on my own. I bought a $9 hiking pole at Wal-Mart that had a little compass in the top. My backpack consisted of bug repellent, snake bite kit (I don't think I would know what to do with this if I had to actually use it), 3 bottles of water, 3 gatorades and a couple of Zone bars. I know that's a little overkill on the fluid and food but its Florida its hot and I'm not entirely sure how far I'm going so Id rather be over than under prepared. Four and a half hours, 12(?) miles, and some of the coolest woods I've ever seen later and I've officially completed my first little hike. The sad part is this is in my own back yard and while I've seen these trees many times from the road either on my bike or in a car cruising down Old Dixie Highway I've never been on the inside looking out.
At the start I was a little timid, being my first time out, the further you get in every little ruffle of leaves puts a little lump in your throat. However, as you grow accustomed to it the only startling ones tend to be when its an actual animal. Who knew one little armadillo could make so much ruckus? Didn't really see much "wildlife" that I haven't seen in my own back yard 4-5 deer an armadillo, small turtle, couple of small snakes, huge woodpeckers, humming birds, butterflies.
The most surprising part to me were the trees! Here I thought I would be out walking in sand and the open sun and for the most part. There are very few spots where you are in complete sun the majority of the hike is in shade and beautiful. I used this as a great time to spend alone with God and thinking about all the wonderful things he has created and created in me. "When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made". I didn't see a single person on the trail with the exception of a few folks in cars who had driven out to the Fairchild Oak. I had no problem with mosquitoes or bugs with the exception of I found a couple ticks when I returned home...which gave me the heebie jeebies.
I'll probably make another trek this weekend starting where I left off most likely and maybe just maybe get a little courage and swing an overnight out of it don't know about doing that on my own though we'll see.
Sunday - Flagler County Scenic Century
Every year they do a Century ride that takes place on most the routes I typically ride all rolled into one glorious day on a bicycle. That's glorious until the heat kicks in at around noon and the cramps are relentless. I haven't done much more than a handful of 50+ mile rides since the Great Floridian but figured if I can't keep up with the group I'm in I'll just take it easy and soft pedal home. HA! At mile 80 I cramped so hard on the inside of both thighs it shot me out of my seat. Got dropped by my group... obviously. I couldn't seem to shake them out so had to stop and shake and stretch every 5 miles or less and spent the last 20 on my own getting baked feeling exhausted and near delusional from the heat. This ride was going really smoothly before the cramps I was feeling strong all day I was surprised at myself but when them suckers hit "whew doggie" [Jed Clampett] turned out to be one of the most miserable times I've ever spent on a bike. Had plenty of water, endurolytes, and bananas (at SAG stations). Just the sudden jump in mileage most likely was the problem. Ended up doing the 100 miles in somewhere around 5 hours.
Church Membership
I also attended a membership talk at my Church on Sunday afternoon....I'm still unsure of my thoughts on Church membership I'm just so curious about having to sign a dotted line to participate in God's work. I at least wanted to attend the talk or 'class' to see what it was all about before making any decisions. I've been praying fervently about this these past few weeks. I just don't know yet. Any thoughts?
So In summation: Teddy Roosevelt was a great president, 4 Hour-12 Mile Hike Saturday, 112 Mile-5+ Hour ride Sunday, still don't know what I believe in regards to Church membership. Good?
What a great weekend!
posted by Migofast at
8:38 AM
5 Comments:
Wow, some weekend you had! Sounds like fun. As far as the church membership thing goes, I never have understood the whole part of becoming a member. It sort of turns me off, having to be voted into God's house of worship. I think he accepts us whether we are a member or not.
On the flip side of that though doesn't membership somewhat protect the Church? For instance if one who openly proclaimed to be a member went out and opened an establishment of ill repute aren't we as members of the Church required to bring correction in the form of discipline that may include loss of membership? Without the membership/dotted line structure there is no discipline. I seriously lack depth of knowledge in this area so I may sound like an idiot right now...here is a link I found interesting http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=532
Nice weekend dude! I always forget your blog is here so I like the little surprises I get when I come and its all updatedy ( =
As for the church, part of becoming a member helps with the census as far as numbers go, memberships, etc. It also protects the church like you said and gives you a "home". I've never heard of being "voted" in, at our church you just have to ask and you can be inducted as a member and vote on coucil and stuff. It's political as well of course... But there's nothing wrong with wanting to help your congration make financial and clerical decisions, right? Just a thought ( =
I say pray on it. I believe when we find a place we want to call home...the decision comes naturally. As for the translation... see my blog.
Kristy,
Im glad you like my little updatedy gems of bad grammar rambling...
Deb,
I know you can do better than that on the pronunciation.
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