Month: September 2026
How Much Water Do You Really Need for a Short Hike?
Everybody and Every Body Before we begin… everybody and every body is different. These are general guidelines that may work for many people, but they are not a substitute for knowing your own body and what you need before beginning any activity. With that said, there are a few factors that can change how…
Available Before Able
Be Available, Ability Will Come There are many times in my life when I have thought, “I can’t do that. I’m not able.” “I don’t have what it takes.” I’m sure I’m not the only one. There are many things where that is absolutely true. If someone suggests that I perform brain surgery, I…
What to Pack for a Half-Day Hike (Without Overthinking It)
Every hike is different. But there are a few common items you can pack for almost every half-day hike that will make your time on the trail much easier. Step one: Don’t overpack. Half-day hikes are easy to overpack for. Another liter of water doesn’t add too much weight. Adding extra snacks seems okay.…
The Freedom of Dependence
Sometimes life doesn’t look the way you want it to. Sometimes your life is out of your control. Sometimes the things you were once free to do are no longer available to you. There are times in our lives when we are completely dependent on others. There are seasons when we need to depend…
5 Mistakes New Hikers Make
Hiking Is Easy You don’t need experience. You don’t need special gear. You don’t need multiple days off work or school. All you really need is a few hours, a good pair of shoes, and enough water for the hike you are taking. When you are first getting into hiking, you can read hundreds…
The People God Places Along the Trail
Trusting God and Others Trusting God can feel easy. Trusting others… not so much. Trusting God and others can bring up mixed emotions. When we are going through difficult times, it can be even more difficult to allow other people into our lives. At least, that has been true for me. Opening the most…
Why Jesus Entered the Wilderness
Why did Jesus enter solitude? We often talk about the wilderness as a place where we go to get away. Away from the noise. Away from the demands of everyday life. Away from the people and responsibilities that constantly pull our attention in different directions. There is certainly a place for that. But when…
Dennis Cove
Dennis Cove Dennis Cove is a mountain access area in the Cherokee National Forest near Hampton, Tennessee, where several trails lead into the surrounding mountains and along Laurel Fork Creek. The area provides access to portions of the Appalachian Trail as well as several local routes leading toward waterfalls, streams, and the Laurel Fork…
The Things We Cannot See
Learning to See When we are first learning to drive, we are taught to check our blindspots. Before changing lanes, before turning, before backing out, we first check what we cannot see. There is even an entire section at auto parts stores dedicated to blindspot mirrors, devices designed to help us see what we…