Red River Gorge Hike

October 14-16, 2005

 

 

Part of the Fal 2005 class did a weekend on part of the Sheltowee Trace trail in Kentucky at the Red River Gorge.  We had a wonderful time as you will see from reading the following reflections.  We started Friday afternoon and drive the 5 hours to the trailhead, met another student from Asbury who went with us, and hiked into the dark Friday night.  Then we hiked a Loooooooong day Saturday (until after dark again) and finished up on Sunday then drive back to Marion. If you decide to take this hike see the planning map in Coach D’s office. There is also a discussion board on the Sheltowee Trace Trail.  We hiked part of our hike on that trail but pieced together a sorta’ loop for our hike.  You’ll love this class and this (or any other) hike!  And if you take our hike—make sure you do the rope swing!

 

 

Jake Tillett

 

I. MY PREVIOUS HIKING EXPERIENCE:

-- 2 days/nights on the AT in PA; Several weekenders on the AT and others in Smokey Mountains; 4 days on the Monogehala, WV; 3 days in the jungle of Gabon, Africa. 

 

II. THE TRAIL I HIKED

               I hiked a series of trails covering 25 miles in the Red River Gorge.  A large stretch of the hike was on the Sheltowee Trace trail, which runs throughout the Daniel Boone National Forest.  Other sections of the hike included Rough Trail, Osbourne Bend, and Swift Camp Creek.

 

II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S HIKERS:

1. Decide to have fun. Don’t let yourself buy into the lie that things are going to be SO tough.  Decide that you are going to enjoy yourself, and treat each new challenge as a chance to overcome.

2.  Drink Water. Staying hydrated makes you feel so much better while hiking.  It also improves your appetite.

3.  Experiment.  If this is your first hike or your tenth, use it as an opportunity to try new methods, packing styles, gear, etc.  Find out what will work for you in the future.  After all, it is only a weekend, and you can live through almost anything for a short time.

III. SEVEN SNAPSHOT MEMORIES—THINGS I’LL NEVER FORGET 

1.  “I think the COMPASS is wrong.” The first night we lost our way a few times, and finally reached a point where we couldn’t make heads or tails of the map.  Joel and I finally became so frustrated that I began to express my doubts about the compass.  (for the record, the compass worked just fine!)

2.  Stars.  We didn’t have rain, so we just sleep on tarps.  The first night, I woke up and looked out of my mummy bag and the stars were so bright.  I tried to keep my eyes open for as long as I could.

3.  Prays and silence.  Some of the girls suggested that we pray every hour, and then we had an hour of silence.  Very refreshing times.

4.  Good morning everyone! I always seemed to be the first awake.  The first morning after having been awake for an hour, I laid back down on my pad, only to hear what sounded like Joel sitting up.  I turned to look at him, but his eyes didn’t open until I was staring him right in the face.  Don’t I look like the scary freak?

5.  Cliff jump and rope swing.  We took our lunch break on Saturday at a place in the river that had a 20 foot cliff jump and an awesome rope swing.

6.  Shelly getting kissed.  Rumor has it that I spent a lot of time with Shelly, but I happen to have seen Sharla and Danika both giving her a kiss.

7.  Night Hike.  We did several hours of night hiking, but our second night we covered some of the most intense trail I have ever been on.  It certainly was an adventure.

 

IV. KUDOS TO OTHER HIKERS

1. To Rachel… For your constantly positive attitude.  You were a real trooper!

2. To Danika… for bringing the Bible.  Thanks for taking the extra weight so we could have an awesome time Sunday morning.  Thanks for pressing on; I’m so glad you came! 

3. To Sharla… for the great late night discussions.  You are one tough cookie…hiking with that “gimpy” ankle.

4. To Sheila… for being the official photographer.  Thanks for dreaming big at the beginning of the semester and thinking of Red River Gorge for this hike.  Great hiking!

5. To Shelly… for being with us for a time.  It was tragic to loose you…hope you figure out where you are some day.

6. To Joel… for being our tour guide to all things Gorge.  Thanks for puzzling over the map, compass, and blazes with me.  I really enjoyed getting to know you better.

 

V. FINAL NOTE ON THIS TREK

--This was the first time I have done a hike with a group of friends, and I really can’t wait to do it again!  Our group was really awesome, and I enjoyed them so much.  I also feel that I learned a ton about packing, what to take, and going lightweight.  I will definitely be using some of those things in future hikes.  Great weekend, I am only sorry that it couldn’t have lasted longer.

 

 

Danika Davies              

 

I. MY PREVIOUS HIKING EXPERIENCE:

-- None, really. I mean I have walked on a few trails in state parks with my family but nothing too long or hard-core, and never with a backpack.

II. THE TRAIL I HIKED

               We hiked 25 miles of trail at Red River Gorge in Kentucky. We started at Sky Bridge and ended up at Rock Bridge Trail. We followed the Osborne Bend, Lost Branch Trail, Sheltowee Trace, Rough Trail, and the Swift Camp Creek Trail. These trails took us through the Clifty Wilderness, which is a rugged and undeveloped area designated by Congress as wilderness. The trails took us through various landscapes. I really felt like we were in a new place for how the scenery changed. Some parts were lush and green, others with tall trees and pine, some with rocks and streams, and even a section that had bamboo. It was awesome. 

II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S HIKERS:

1. Have a good attitude.  A lot of previous hikers had given this advice when I read hiking logs for this class, but it really is true. I found myself getting down one night, and I realize now that I could have enjoyed it so much more if I just had a better outlook. It really is a wonderful experience, but it is very difficult and mentally tiring. Do anything you can to keep the attitude positive- memorize scripture, pray, pause and take a breather, tell the hikers around you and have them pray for you, ect.

2.  Have an hour of silence during the hike.  This was one of my favorite most cherished times of this past weekend. I loved that time in nature, soaking it in. It was so peaceful and filling to my soul! I am sure it would do the same for yours.

3.  Go ahead and take the toothbrush!.  Let me tell you, I got mocked for taking my toothbrush and toothpaste, but I am so glad that I did. If I couldn’t clean anything else, at least I had a fresh mouth! It really refreshed me and I am glad that I listened to myself and brought it. I guess that goes for anything…you have your own personality. There are things that you will really want and others will not (and probably Ray won’t tell you to bring it either). Take the things you will need. You can’t listen to everyone else on everything!

III. SEVEN SNAPSHOT MEMORIES—THINGS I’LL NEVER FORGET 

1.  Waking up to Sharla’s puffy eyes.  Ray definitely said to sleep with your feet elevated, but it really isn’t a good idea to sleep with your head downhill, because then your whole head feels swollen, or in Sharla’s case, your eyes really are swollen J we love you prickly puff!

2.  The vigor of start of the trip.  It was amazing doing those first miles on Friday night. I was so excited and there was no where else in the world I would have rather been.

3.  Being kicked by Rachel through the night.  I loved sharing the tarp with you girls!! Especially you Rachel!! J No really, sleeping under the stars is something I don’t do very often, and I really enjoyed that.

4.  The amazing scenery.  Sometimes I got to walking and forgot to look around at God’s beauty. Wow. It was just what I needed to soak in. There is just something you can learn about God in His creation that you can’t anywhere else. Also, the Red River Gorge trails are so diverse! I enjoyed the changes in view, each one just more breathtaking. I definitely needed this get-away from the pressures at school and the loads of work I have had to do. It was nice to forget about things for a while and concentrate on God and be in silence. Sure beat my dorm room.

5.  When Sharla got pricked in the lip.  Sharla seemed to have the bad news bear following her this weekend! A branch with thorns got her in the face on Friday night and it was quite the sight seeing her puffing her bottom lip out so that we could help pick it out. Once again, we love you prickly puff!!

6.  Searching for blazes.  I don’t think I ever really knew where we were! We were always looking for the white diamonds on the trees (blazes). Good thing we had good guys with good maps to lead our way! I am thoroughly impressed with Jake and Joel! Thanks guys. Shelly, you kept trying, but you weren’t really much help- haha. 

7.  Actually seeing the finish!  This was a first time thing for me, so it was exhilarating to be finished and have that amazing sense of accomplishment. I wish you could have been with us, Shelly! You surely were in spirit.

 

IV. KUDOS TO OTHER HIKERS

1. To Rachel… for being so darn encouraging! I don’t think I have ever (not even on the trails) heard a discouraging remark from your mouth. I know this was hard for you too, and your first time as well- but you kept going and going! I really do appreciate your positive attitude, and it challenges me to do the same. Thank you.

2. Sharla… for being such a wonderful friend and tough backpacker! I knew you could make it through, even with your gimpy kankle! Really, you are a hard worker, and also encourage me endlessly. I appreciate your boldness to bring truth to me and confront me on things in my life. You are a comfort to be around, and I don’t even have to be talking to you- it is just your presence. I know I have gone through major challenges with you, and I would never change that. China and backpacking, what’s next?! You are a woman of God that I admire endlessly. Thanks for your adventurous and loving spirit.

3. Sheila… for being the pinnacle of adventure to me! You are such a neat person with a heart for our Lord and for adventure. First you bike across the country, and now this backpacking adventure. I could just sense how alive you were in this setting, and I feel like I got to see a new side of you; the true Sheila Yoder!

4. Jake … What a great man you are. I thank you for your encouraging this past weekend. You let me lead sometimes and never got frustrated with me when I was frustrated with myself. Thanks for not speeding ahead of us and leaving us in the dust (as I am sure you could have with those running legs of yours!). Really, I am glad to have been on this trip with you there. You also are another I feel that I could not really know you until now, since I have seen you in one of your elements. Thanks for the spiritual discussions and sharing your opinions that you so rarely share with us. 

5. Joel… oh bent-thumbs up man! I am so glad I have met the famous Beulah Beach Joel that I have heard so many good things about. You are fun to be around and I am glad that you joined us on this trek. And, thanks for your directional skills and compass. Eagle Scouts did you well! (P.S.- I think you should transfer to IWU too. All the Beulah crew would be a lot happier. J)

6. Shelly… for your stability and sheer beauty in all you do! I wish you could have been to the end with us..sometimes you were just hard to find, but we seemed to find you again and again. Thanks for the long walks and peaceful presence that you provided. You pointed me to God’s creation and His power and beauty so well. Thank you. It just wouldn’t have been the same without you! 

V. FINAL NOTE ON THIS TREK

--I am so glad that I took this class and challenged myself in this way. I knew it would be a great time, and it proved to be that, but it was also a great learning experience to me. So much of this trip can be translated into life lessons and the time alone with our Creator in His creation is irreplaceable. Saturday night, I don’t think I could have gone on if it weren’t for everyone else pushing and encouraging me, even when I was not very responsive or encouraging back. To be honest, I was so frustrated I was in tears. Really it was not a big deal, and I wish I would not have let it get to me as it did. My ankles were weak, I felt terrible, it was dark, and I was a little afraid not being able to see what was ahead. However, the next morning we set out to finish, and in the daylight I got to see that part of the trail we had done at night was so beautiful (though more challenging), and I wished I would have had a good attitude and enjoyed where I was instead of just wanting to get through. I realize that I do this in life as well. I am learning to change the disparaging attitude that I get at times and also to see the benefits it can have if I do. I know that everyone else enjoyed things a lot more and I could have too if I would have stopped thinking of myself and my frustrations. Also, someone once told me, “Never forget in the darkness what God has shown you in the light.” I tried to remember that as I hiked. I did fine all day, and sometimes that is where I struggle in life. I just have to trust him when the trail gets rough and dark! He is still there just as He is in the daylight and on the smooth places.

 

 

Rachel Unseth

 

I. MY PREVIOUS HIKING EXPERIENCE:

-- Never before have I hiked with a backpack -to Baldwin from the Lodges doesn’t count :o)

 

II. THE TRAIL I HIKED

            We hiked through the Clifty Wilderness area (25 miles) of Red River Gorge, KY.  We ended up walking lots of Sheltowee Trace then hitting Rough Trail followed by Swift Camp Creek which joins Wildcat Trail and eventually finishing on the Rock Bridge Trail.  The trails varied from a surface close to roadway to steep hills with tree roots, soggy leaves and mossy rocks for steps.  We went by huge rock outcroppings and small waterfalls and breathtaking views.

 

II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S HIKERS:

1. Go ready to learn.  God will have lots to show you about him, yourself and those you hike alongside of. 

2.  Take time to take in the sights.  Every once in a while we’d veer off the trail to get out on some outcropping of rock and get a breathtaking view.

3.  Humility is appreciated on such a trip.  I learned lots about leaning on the body of Christ and the quiet-servant and encouraging spirits in the group.

 

III. SEVEN SNAPSHOT MEMORIES—THINGS I’LL NEVER FORGET 

1.  The ‘peasant woman’.  We are walking on who knows which trail when something comes crashing down through the trees, some of us scurry off the trail, one ducks and all of us jump just a bit.  Will we ever know what sort of large bird that was???-a pheasant perhaps…

2.  Prickly puff.  Sharla found out the hard way that it’s dangerous to walk behind Rachel if there are picker branches hanging over the trail.  One snapped back and left a "pricker" in her lip.  While people gathered around to try and extract it she was a good sport and got it out herself before anyone could get to their knife.

3.  The humungous rock.  Adrenaline junkies for a couple hours-we ‘cliff jumped’ off a 20ish foot rock into rather brisk water and let me say, that without Sharla and Sheila’s encouragement, I’d be regretting not jumping.  They were there and so off we plunged.

4.  “Acabacabadies”.  An odd story about some minnows morphed itself into our name for the marshmallows that we roasted both nights.

5.  The “they’ll come and tell us to move again” campsite.  The guys had gone searching and we girls had set up our stuff, and just as we laughed about them coming back and saying we should move again, they did.  It was WELL worth it.  They had found a clearing with a GREAT view of the moon, and stars.  Later that night as I kept waking up without covers on or to the root under my hip I got entertained by multiple shooting stars.

6.  Miguel’s Pizza.  It’s a one of a kind climbing-shop/pizza restaurant/area where all kinds of people have instant bonds.  Oh, and we learned a secret handshake… 

7.  The many, many songs.  Whether Sheila’s next favorite song, the great CD’s we listened to in the car that got stuck in our heads or the wonderful and wacky tunes that got sung along the trail.

 

IV. KUDOS TO OTHER HIKERS

1. To Jake… for being patient and walking at the back with me when you could have been way ahead of us all.  For the sleeping bag to defrost with and the pants.  Thanks for deep thoughts on authority etc. :o)

2. To Joel… for coming along even with a bunch from IWU… For taking my pack and most of the stuff out of yours those last few miles that last night.  Your willingness to help me along was the only way I got through. The crazy stuff like walking out on that log made us smile and will we ever forget that dang ‘bent thumbs up’.

3. To Sharla… for waiting up there on the rock with me, telling me I could do it, but that no one would think less of me if I didn’t.  For being my encourager as I was the leader for part of our insane-trail night hike.  For being a tough cookie- girl I didn’t hear you complain once on that ‘kankle’.   Was it your idea we pray every hour?   If it was major kudos to you!

4. To Sheila… for documenting our adventure.  For being our song-bird that helped to distract me from my burning legs.  For encouraging me and letting me know that it was OK to be ‘winded’ on those steep climbs.  You lifted me up when I was tired- thanks!!

5. To Danika… for being a tough beginner hiker- you were tired, I know, but you kept going, you never got a sour attitude. You made sure people knew you were enjoying yourself even when you got quiet.  I would have really missed having you on the trip had you not come. You’re so much fun to know and have a great heart.

6. To Shelly Trace… for being the quiet rugged one, you let us step all over you though and you didn’t seem to mind when we left you on Saturday afternoon.   By the way, you and Jake spent quite a bit of time together and you sure got a lot of kisses…. 

7. To the whole group… you guys allowed me to have the weekend of a lifetime.  You pushed me to keep going, you let me know it was OK to be scared or tired or weak.  I felt safe with you guys.  Y’all are an amazing bunch that I’m so blessed to know, much less hang out with for a whole weekend.  I appreciated the hand cleaner, random clothing and kind words more than you know.   A reunion in the next ten years somewhere in the world would be tons of fun.

 

V. FINAL NOTE ON THIS TREK

--So, this weekend was truly unforgettable.  I learned more about working through the pain and sticking to it than I ever have before.  I learned that God truly does not give us spirit of fear!  I have never done anything of this magnitude before in my life and I look on it as quite a milestone.  Lots of it brought back memories of being a little girl in Ethiopia taking a jungle hike to a vine bridge and going up a steep and muddy hill on the other side… sounds something like this weekend although the bridge was boards and cable. I have learned more self-confidence, found inner strength and laughed lots- I am changed because of this tripJ.

 

 

 

 

Sheila Yoder

 

I. MY PREVIOUS HIKING EXPERIENCE:

--Yosemite National Park backpacking for 5 days . . . I have no idea the mileage.

--Smokey Mountain National Park backpacking for 2 days, 17 miles.

--Lots of random hikes.

 

II. THE TRAIL I HIKED

               Although the trail we hiked was not extremely well marked at many turns and was challenging to figure out in the dark, I would not trade this experience for any. Even in the light, it was often hard to decipher where the trail went because of the horse trails. We started at Sky Bridge and hiked down to Rock Bridge Trail covering a total of around 25 miles. The trail itself was rugged and narrow in many spots because of roots and rocks, and it went up and down quite often, but the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. The cliffs and rock formations along the way are like none I have seen before. At one point we even went through a bamboo forest. I may be back at school, but my mind is still at Red River Gorge.

 

II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S HIKERS:

1.  Wear tennis shoes.  I have hiked many times in my high-quality hiking boots that I bought specifically for long backpacking trips. I had been told that hiking boots were the only thing that would hold up on trails. Well, I learned that is not necessarily true. My tennis shoes were light-weight and dried exceedingly fast when the inevitable wetness got in them. My feet did not feel like lead as they often do; I doubt I will ever go back to boots.

2.  Take cheese and crackers—the durable kind of crackers.  I love trail mix, and I love granola bars, but what makes me actually look forward to eating was the cheese and Triscuits I took. Cheese will keep despite not being refrigerated, and it tastes wonderful.

3.  If you have the chance to jump into a river, do it.  I am not particularly fond of hiking wet, and when faced with the idea of jumping into an ice-cold river, I almost declined. However, the cold water on my feet gave them what was needed to hike late into the night, and the jump got my adrenaline pumping. Take advantage of every moment; it is very unlikely that you will regret it.

 

III. SEVEN SNAPSHOT MEMORIES—THINGS I’LL NEVER FORGET 

1.  The rock and rope swing.  The weather was so perfect and warm. When Joel showed us where we were going to go cliff jumping, I stood in disbelief, but there was no way I could pass up the opportunity. The rock was high up and the water was ice, but the thrill was exhilarating. To go from the cliff to the rope swing added an even better twist to the mix. Although no one else could do flips off the swing, Joel showing us how proved to be entertaining. All I can say is, “ Wow!”

2.  The compass.  Clearly the compass was wrong; however, it was funny to think that it could just possibly have been Joel who didn’t know how to use it.

3.  My walking stick.  My walking stick was my aid until Shelly decided that I didn’t need it so she broke it. I was not extremely distraught because that seemed to be Shelly’s nature, and we left her soon afterward anyway.

4.  Prickly Puff.  Ray Jardine may say to sleep with your head downhill, but after Sharla woke up on Sunday morning, we came to realize that sleeping downhill is not the wisest idea. When Sharla said her eye felt swollen and asked me what it looked like, my laugh could not be contained.

5.  “If you don’t come out, I am coming in after you.”   Although Jake directed this statement at Joel, the mere fact that Sharla thought it was for her made the comment and situation hysterical.

6.  The Moon.  Starting at night I thought would be difficult and uncomfortable, but what a trip Jake and Joel took us on. The conversations flowed easily around women in ministry and the total depravity of man. The moon was so bright in places I did not need a flashlight. I can hardly believe we went over some of the trails we did at night, but that just goes to prove we can do what we think is impossible if we focus only on one step at a time.

7.  Miguel’s Pizza Shop.  We did not suffer for lack food on the trail because we were not out long enough to truly miss the cafeteria at school, but the pizza tasted so great at the end, anyway. It was not the pizza that made Miguel’s amazing, though, but rather the camaraderie of the climbers (and the boy/eagle scouts as Joel so aptly demonstrated) there. They gave us a great object lesson of how the body of Christ should be.

 

IV. KUDOS TO OTHER HIKERS

1. To Sharla… for yet another adventure we have done together. Despite your bum ankle, you kept the pace and led the way quite often, never failing to offer encouragement. Thanks, my friend, for sharing life with me; I know there are many more to come.

2. To Danika… for the most amazing attitude and laugh. There is no one else I would have wanted to wake up to every morning. You pressed on and even had time to brush your teeth. I am so glad we were a team!

3. To Rachel… for having the courage to do something crazy and hard—not only for hiking 25 miles in your first adventure like this, but for also taking that flying leap into the water. You conquered a fear and set an example to us. 

4. To Jake… for being such a contagion of excitement. Your giddiness upon arriving at the Gorge was absolutely contagious, and you never failed to be a gentleman to the ladies on the trip. Thanks for all the hands in getting us through the rough spots (I know Shelly appreciated it).

5. To Joel… for being there with us. Having you on the trip made this excursion perfect in so many ways: if not for you, we would never have had the cliff, the rope swing, or Miguel’s. More than that, though, being reunited with such a friend as yourself lent the whole trip a joyful atmosphere. You never cease to care for people and amaze me.

6. To Shelly Trace… for always continuing on. There were many rocks and roots in your path, but that never kept you from continuing your course (even after we left you).

 

V. FINAL NOTE ON THIS TREK

No matter what I do in nature, every new experience somehow pushes me and wakes me up to things in my life I need to look at more closely. This trip came at a time when I needed to get away; I came back with all the refreshment I needed. The people on this trip are some of the dearest people to me. I was reminded as I hiked and as I talked that not only does my Creator love me, but his creation—my friends—love me, too. This being my last year of school, there is so much uncertainty in my life, but the memories from school, this one on top, will always be something concrete. My only regret is that this did not last longer.

 

 

Sharla Dillavou

 

(Is this a wild turkey? )

I. MY PREVIOUS HIKING EXPERIENCE:

-- I have backpacked 1 week in Cumberland Falls KY in addition to small day hikes with family and friends. 

 

II. THE TRAIL I HIKED

               I hiked a total of about 25 miles through trails at “Red River Gorgeous”.  While the majority of the time we followed the turtle blazes on the Sheltowee Trace through The Daniel Boone National Forest, we also followed other trails such as the Rough Trail, Osbourne Bend, and Swift Camp Creek.  I really enjoyed the trail a lot because the sections of the trail were all drastically different from each other.  The trail included pine forest, huge rock formations, uphill and downhill hiking, beautiful lookouts, a swinging bridge, a rope swing, a cliff-jumping rock, natural rock arches, waterfalls, and nonstop adventure.    

 

II THREE PIECES OF ADVICE TO NEXT YEAR’S HIKERS:

  1. When hiking behind someone, be sure to watch out for branches that they may have moved out of the way so they don’t swing back and hit you.  The first night, we were hiking in the dark by the light of our headlamps.  The person in front of me had moved a branch out of their way and when they let go it hit me in the face.  It wouldn’t have been so bad except that it was a thorn bush branch and I got a thorn stuck in my lip.  My trail name changed from “Gimpy” (I had sprained my ankle a week before the trip) to “Prickle”.     
  2.  Sleep with your head going uphill.  (to the tune of “Pop the Magic Dragon”)… Puff the big huge eyeball, was found on my head, because I listened to Ray Jardine when I layed down for bed…. Needless to say, it’s great to prop your feet up while you sleep, but don’t sleep with your head going down even a slight decline.  I woke up with the puffiest eyes I’ve ever had and my loving friends reminded me of it all day long.  My trail name now merged to “Prickle Puff”.  J     
  3. Live it up.  Make the most of your trip and have an incredible time!  Hike with friends, take in the beauty of God’s creation, stretch yourself, make memories, be crazy, and get out of your comfort zone.

 

III. SEVEN SNAPSHOT MEMORIES—THINGS I’LL NEVER FORGET 

  1. Sleeping out under the big, beautiful sky both nights!   Yep- the stars were amazing, the weather was perfect, and the campfires both nights made it that much better.   
  1. Where did Jake go?  Wait a minute… where did Shelly go?!?  Jake wondered off a number of times to “look for Shelly”.  Yeah… I’m pretty sure we all know that he knew where she was the whole time. 
  2. The intense 3-hour night hike on Saturday.  That trail was pretty crazy you guys… and I’m SURE we hiked more than a mile in 2 hours.  I don’t care what any stupid sign says.  Hey… at least we had Joel’s compass and Jake’s “whitey tighty” map.  I still think the trail that night would have been a lot safer and a lot more adventurous if we had all been harnessed in.  J  
  1. Feeling the extreme adrenaline rush and refreshment of jumping off a huge rock and swinging off a rope swing into frigid water!  Joel knows Red River well so he was sure to take us to his favorite spots.  I’ll never forget that amazing swimming break with friends.
  2. Praying on the trail.  I loved the fact that we took 5 minutes out of some hours to hike in silence and pray for topics that we took turns choosing.  I also loved the hour of silent hiking on Saturday.  Connecting with God in the beauty of His creation is one of my favorite things to do. 
  3. Eating pizza at Miguel’s.  Incredible pizza with even more incredible friends.  For the first time I understood why people really drop out of school and just rock climb or backpack, and I felt the temptation to do so.
  4. Sunday morning.  Popping my head out of my sleeping bag Sunday morning and wondering why everyone was laughing hysterically and why my eye wouldn’t open all the way.  Behold… the beginning of “Prickle Puff”.

 

IV. KUDOS TO OTHER HIKERS

  1. To Rachel…  for deciding to jump off that rock with me.  Way to go “droopy drawers”!  That was incredible.  Thanks for being such an encouraging suitemate, hike buddy, and friend! 
  2.  To Danika… for the awesome conversation on the trail about missions and people that are important to us.  “Dan-icky”, thanks for being my friend from China to the trail… and thanks for listening to me describe to you the “letter I wrote to my grandma”.  ;) 
  3. To Sheila… for changing your shirt after going off the rock…hehehe.  Even though your trail name was “dirty”, I had a great time tackling another monthly adventure with you.  May this be added to our list of adventures and may the list never stop growing! 
  4.  To “Shelly Trace”… for going with us most of the way.  Thanks for leading us… though sometimes it was unclear.  I also loved seeing your big, white diamond!  Jake did a great job at picking that one out.       
  5. To Jake… for waking me up on Sunday morning by threatening, “If you don’t come out of there right now, I’m coming in after you!”  If only I would have known you talking to Joel…
  6. To Joel… for coming on an IWU trip! J  Thanks for taking us to the coolest places at Red River Gorgeous even though your compass “didn’t work”.  Thanks also for your crooked thumb, living up to your trail name, making new memories, and laughing at old ones.  Don’t worry… I’ll come climbing in the spring.  
  7. To the whole group… for rocking my face off!  Thanks for being so real and genuine, for pushing me mentally, spiritually, and physically, for accepting me for who I am, and for being my best friends!     

 

V. FINAL NOTE ON THIS TREK

--This weekend was so incredible and I know I will look back and smile on it for a long time.  I learned more about the refreshment of God’s presence in His creation as I was in a place I absolutely love, the outdoors.  After this weekend, I hope to backpack again for a longer period of time… but I should probably wait until I’m done with school so I don’t have to fight the temptation to drop out.  J  I found out that backpacking clears my mind and is a great reminder of the simplicity of life.  Wondering around in God’s creation with 5 great friends… Can it get any better than that?  Thanks to all for a great trip!