Charlie's Bunion...

This is part of the view from Charlies Bunion. Emma Grace age 8.
Just wanting to prove how fabulous the hike can be. "Mountain top experiences" don't happen on the couch....come on and join us.

http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/charliesbunion.htm
gives a wonderful description of the hike.


Ken

May 30th Hike to Charlie's Bunion

Join us on a Hike to Charlie's Bunion....what a name! It is one of the most beautiful places I have found in this world...and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. (The photo is our class at Andrew's Bald having a picnic.)
I proposed to Paige on top of Charlie's Bunion (she said YES!) and we are going back on May 30th, 20+ years later.
360 views of the GSMNP and God's creation.
The Hike is over 8 miles round trip....the first hour or so are the most strenuous on the journey. Warning...be prepared...It is an uphill climb from Newfound Gap as we head out on the AT (appalachian trail) for about 1.5 miles.(goodnews... it means the last part is all down hill back to the cars). Almost all of the elevation change is at the beginning and the trail truly gets better as it goes out the mountian, with more rolling hills, up and down. Lots of vistas to lookout on both sides of the trail.
I took Emma Grace to Charlie's Bunion when she was 8 years old and she did great...but everyone knows their own childeren and abilities. I would consider it a "MODERATE" hike versus an "easy" or "stenuous" hike. Not exactly a walk in the park and not a grueling angony journey of pain.

SPRING! a time of renewal.

God is so perfect in all His wisdom.

Spring has arrived in full bloom in East Tennessee! Chris Goins, his son Peyton and my family hiked this weekend in the Smokies and the trees were almost all leafed out. Ferns were awaking from a winter nap. Glorious trillium of all colors were in bloom on the forest floor. The birds were singing and the bees were buzzing! All of it displaying our GOD and HIS GLORY.

Our God and creator is so wonderful in all His wisdom to create the seasons. Times change and renewal is the order of things in creation. The winter dormant plants spring forth in new glory....often in more vibrant and fuller growth than in the past year.

Seasons in our life come and go....Christ is refreshing and walking with us even in the "winter time" seasons of our life. Praise God for the sustaining grace our Lord gives to us.

Spring and refreshing we truly desire are from Him and nothing else will fill the void.
I praise GOD for bringing SPRING again to me.

David spoke of the "Joy of my Salvation" and how he longed to be in God's will and know to the closeness he once had with God. His distance from God was caused by sin, but sometimes we go through dry winter times without sin in our lives. If sin has entered into our life. Repent and seek forgiveness. God is faithful and he will forgive us when we call on him.

When we don't know of sin that is causing a break in fellowship and we are doing all we know to do, but still we don't "feel" close to the Father. Continue to seek God, in spite of feelings. In prayer and in reading and meditating on God's word....singing and praising Him.
Love is a verb and we must love God, even when it doesn't feel like anything is happening.
Be faithful.

At times I envision....God waits like a patient father, at an arms distance watching his toddler stumbling along taking wobbling steps, ready to swoop in snatch us up as we reach up for Him. God not only picks us up but swings us around in his arms with great Joy!

It's spring again! Let everything that has breath PRAISE the LORD.

upcoming events

Nov 20th is our class wide Wii party...board games, etc.
Where - Jimmy and Wendy Hicks - 2236 Rockingham Dr., Maryville, TN
When NOV 20th beginning at 5:03pm - 9 or so.
Bring - your "fam"...your games....snacks and 2 liter(s)


December 4, 5 &6 is LCT (Living Christmas Tree) www.knoxtree.org

December 11th Overtly unashamedly, CHRISTMAS Party
Progressive Dinner. Call Paige if wish to host a course of the meal.
3-4 homes ...salads/soups....main course...dessert
The group moves from house to house...kind'a like locust devouring the meal.
we will have sign-ups for you to participate with your favorite dishes.

It is a blast!!! you know we are always inviting families to our events. For the progressive dinner, you will need to arrange childcare for this event...we have kindly asked for no kids (a small baby is okay, of course) It's our only yearly event we don't extend to the full family.


also....I have mentioned a free WEB PROTECTION program for your family....
www.k9webprotection.com Free
We have used it for 6 months without any problems (no crashes, etc.)....very good.(and Free).

FLAPJACK FEST 2010 SEPT 11, 2010 SATURDAY

A bunch of people ride bikes...but even if that isn't your thing, please join us....everybody can join in and eat pancakes with us at 10am. Ken and Paige.

the following is from ERIC MARTIN....

The Cades Cove ride is this coming Saturday the 11^th. We will be meeting in the parking lot in front of the entrance to the cove between 7 and 7:30. The loop is open from 7 a.m. to bikers only until 10 a.m. After that the loop is open to motorized vehicles. We will be serving breakfast around 10:00 after the bike ride. The loop is 12 miles long and takes 2hrs on average to bike. There is a short cut for those who want to shorten the ride. If you do not have a bike, there is a place to rent bikes. I am providing a link to a website with that information. I think helmets can be rented also. Bring appropriate clothing for the ride (it will be a little cooler in the mountains). Also take water and a light snack for the ride if you like.

NOTE THE CHANGE....Breakfast at Cades Cove will be at campsites C36 (loop C) in the camping area instead of the picnic area.
Park and walk from the store (at the Ranger Station) or ride your bike to campsite C36

We will need a few people to help with set up and cooking at the picnic area. If you are willing to help, please let myself (Eric) or Gary Douglas know. Everyone will need to bring a camp chair for breakfast.

If you plan on going please let me (ERIC) know so we can have an approximate head count (including children).

You can contact ERIC at emartin7614@comcast.net . Gary’s email is service.solutions@charter.net

Here is the link for information about bike riding in the cove: www.yoursmokies.com/smokiesbiking.html

We look forward to seeing everyone there. It was a great time last year and is always a wonderful opportunity to see God’s creation.

Eric

contact Eric Martin for questions: emartin7614@comcast.net cell phone: 865-599-3987

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