Well Done God (again)

Living in this neck of the woods, provides an endless number of hiking opportunities. It boggles my mind how many miles of breathtakingly beautiful mountainous trails are within a few miles of my house.  

My wife and I actively seek out new trails to keep our hiking fresh and adventuresome. 

Michele and I hit the trails for “day-hikes” and enjoy the majestic mountains God crafted in the Pacific Northwest.  God provides the venues, I provide the mosquito repellant, and Michele provides the Rice-a-Roni (great trail food). 

A couple weeks ago, we meandered over HooDoo Canyon and came home covered in ticks.  I had over 20 of the little devils catching a ride.  I have had a bad case of the “heebee- jeebees” ever since. 

The other day, Michele found a 4.5 mile hiking trail east of Colville that we had never heard of.  To make it more tantalizing, the information was vague and not listed in any of our hiking books. 

So first thing Thursday morning, we grabbed our day packs,strapped on our hiking boots and headed for the high country. 

Nothing is more rewarding than having your expectations exceeded. 

This year, the timber “blow-downs” are worse than I have ever experienced.  We had a light winter with a lot of moisture – combined with high winds.  This has led to an unprecedented number of trees blowing over the hiking trails.  However, this week’s trail had almost no blow-downs.

My favorite trails are “loops”.  Hiking up a mountain, only to turn around at the top and hike right back down the same trail is…. mundane.  However a loop trail provides new scenery round-trip.  This week’s trail turned out to be a loop.  It just got better and better. 

And to top it off, the trail covers a mountain area that was settled and has a rich history.  Part of the trail winds up the mountain to a 360 degree vantage viewpoint that is breath taking.  Then the trail meanders down through the trees and follows an old railroad bed.   

It simply got better and better as we marched along. 

Blue Bell flowers and wild strawberry plants lined the trail for miles. 

By the end of the hike, I had enjoyed a good workout, observed God’s handiwork, spent time with my wife and fellowshipped with the good LORD. 

Well Done God (again). 

“You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.” Nehemiah 9:6 NLT