A PINNACLE EXPEDITION!

 The pointed black peak in this photo is called Black Butte, and is easily viewed from my son's house in Mt. Shasta, California.  All my loved ones who live in that town have climbed to the summit of Black Butte, and I have made it my goal to be included in the "club" that can say they have made it to the summit of Black Butte!  The one time my son and I were going to attempt it, the U.S. Forest Service told us the road to access it was closed, due to snow coverage.  Since then, I have been studying up on it, and learned that the best time to climb it, is from mid-May to mid-November.  Books say it is a 5.2 mile round trip, that most people complete as a "half day" outing.  Its summit is recorded as being at 6,235 feet.  While brainstorming how I could fly out to California to climb it, it occurred to me that I needed to test my stamina for climbing another "pointed peak", that was in my home state of Arkansas.  It did not seem right to travel to another state to climb a mountain, when there was one right in my own "back yard" that I have driven past all my life when making trips to Little Rock, yet never climbed!

 That realization got me to "studying" Pinnacle Mountain in central Arkansas.  This is a photo of Pinnacle, taken from the deck of my friends' home, many miles away from Pinnacle, in Roland, Arkansas.  The cone shaped peak of Pinnacle Mountain has been an Arkansas landmark for generations.  Rising 756 feet from the adjacent flood plains, Pinnacle's rocky peak reaches an elevation of 1,011 feet above sea level. 

 After several phone calls to the Pinnacle Mountain State Park, and talking to lots of people who had already climbed the mountain, I decided it was something I could do, but I would need to find a fellow hiker to go with me, as it is generally recommended that one not hike alone.  That would mean alot of preplanning and coordinating calendar schedules, travel time, etc., etc.

 It crossed my mind that the view that I would see from the summit of Pinnacle Mountain would probably not be that much different from the view that one could see from the easily accessible deck off the back of the Visitor Center!  Since I happened to be in the area of the State Park for another event, I thought the least I could do in preparation for my future "summit attempt" was check out the trail entrance!

  I saw some visitors talking about taking the trail from the visitor's center, that eventually connects to the trail to the summit.  That spurred on my interest!

 The Visitor Center personnel told me another option would be to simply drive to the West Summit Picnic Area, which would greatly shorten the hike.  Even though I was reluctant since I did not have a hiking companion, I thought I could at least check out the area for future reference.  What I found when I arrived there was that it was OVERFLOWING with people!  I could hardly find a parking space.  It was a beautiful sunny, Sunday afternoon, and it seemed that all of Central Arkansas, had converged on the site! 

 After seeing that I would definitely NOT be alone on the trail, I thought I could at least look at the first part of it, and get a "feel" for what it would be like to hike to the summit.

 The signs are necessary because the trail is not without its hazards, particularly at the higher elevations.

 I was used to carrying lots of water after doing desert hiking in Sedona, Arizona, with Road Scholar ( www.roadscholar.org ) earlier in the year, so I had my handy-dandy water bottle carrier with me, as well!

 Various geological features along the trail kept grabbing my attention, making me want to keep on exploring further and further up !

 Some of the trail surfaces have been covered in flat stones, such as the one shown here.

 Some of the trail is divided into broad steps, as shown here.  Seeing women climbing the trail with skirts on reminded me of a story that my son told me on his first attempt to summit Mt. Shasta, as part of a Wilderness Medicine Continuing Education program.  Their leader told them, that whenever they got to thinking it was too difficult for their young, athletic, well-equipped, gear-abundant, Northface-clad bodies to do, to keep in mind that one hundred years ago, the mountain had been summited by some women in skirts down to their ankles!

 As I proceeded upward, there were even benches where I could stop and rest, looking out over the beautiful Arkansas River Valley below!

 This dad is being cautious with his boys, making sure he had a hold on each boy, while simultaneously checking out where the heck he was on the trail!

 I read this sign that said the trail splits into one that is easier versus one that is difficult and directly over the boulders.  That was a "no-brainer"!  I was going to choose the easier trail!

 Unfortunately, however, somehow I missed the marker that was the dividing point for the easier vs. harder trail, and found myself crawling over boulders, and searching for the trail markers that were painted on them to show which general direction to scramble to next!

 But with perseverance, I made it eventually to where the two paths merged, and followed the ridge line to the summit.

 Pinnacle Mountain is part of the "Maumelle Mountains", which were named by the early French explorers.  It seems the peaks reminded them of female mammary glands, or maumelle!

 I am including this photo of me giving the victory symbol of praise to God at the summit, because I was SO PROUD of myself for accomplishing it!  It was just a matter of taking that first step, and then putting one foot in front of the other.  I want to encourage others to get out there and enjoy the beautiful outdoors God has created for us---his great classroom! 

 I had been observing this young lady exploring the ridge trail with her family, thoroughly enjoying the thrill of accomplishment and the beauty around her.  Psalm 36:5 says "Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, ....how priceless is your unfailing love."  Another thing that is priceless is the wonderful park system we have in our country.  Many of these parks are promoting what is called a "First Day Hike" on January 1, 2014.  So check out a park near you so you can get the year off to a great start by enjoying the outdoors.  In Arkansas, just log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com , to find out more.  I guarantee, it will give you "Miles of Smiles"!!  Tricia

FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH EXPEDITION

 The year 2014 will mark the Twenty Year Anniversary that I will have been participating in the program now called "First Place 4 Health" ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com ).  It was originally called simply "First Place", and got its name from the word "first" in the Bible verse from Matthew 6:33 that says "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  I first heard about the program when I was working as a dietitian at the local hospital, and noticed one of my coworkers was getting progressively smaller around the girth.  Since it was my job to stay current on popular weight loss programs, I asked him what was the secret to his being successful at losing weight.  He told me that he and his wife were attending a weekly program at their church called "First Place", and told me the name of the leader.  I contacted the leader, told her about my being a Registered Dietitian interested in learning about weight loss programs, and asked her if I could sit in on one of their classes.  She allowed me to visit, and I saw that the program principles were based on sound nutrition knowledge, and it reminded me of Weight Watchers classes I had attended in another city.  However, there was a major difference:  First Place classes included Bible study and prayer.  Knowing that I needed more spiritual discipline in my life, I signed up to participate in the next session that was offered.  It's hard to believe two decades have passed since then!  It is with great anticipation that I look forward to participating in the next session of First Place 4 Health, which will start on Wednesday, January 8, 2014.   First Place 4 Health is described as a nondenominational, Christ-centered healthy living program, with an emphasis on weight management.  The new name, which includes the phrase " 4 Health" refers to its goal of achieving balance in the areas of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.   The Bible study we will be using for this session is entitled "Start Losing, Start Living".  The book can be ordered from most major book sellers, with a cost of under $20.  The "Start Losing, Start Living" session will run through the end of April, meeting on Wednesday evenings.  The weigh-in  is held from 5:30 pm - 5:45 pm, with the class taking place from 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm, in room 1203 of the Christian Life Center at First Baptist Church, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, located at the 400 Club Boulevard.

 I continued to be a student in First Place classes being held at a different local church, from the one where I completed my very first session.  That new location was the First Baptist Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas ( www.myfbcmh.com ), shown in this photo.  I continued as a student in those classes several sessions, and around 2001, I was asked to be a class leader, which I have been doing every year since then. 

 The First Place 4 Health classes are held in the Christian Life Center ( CLC ) section of  the FBC campus.  It is shown in this photograph, and is distinguished from the other large building, because it does not have a steeple on top of it.  The large lawns in front of the buildings are used for church activities such as flag football, car shows, egg hunts, picnics, and summer celebration events.

 When I first started First Place twenty years ago, my exercise was sporadic, and I don't recall ever walking over two miles at any one time.  This photo shows me with uplifted arms of praise to God, because it represents the culmination of about forty miles of walking over a four-day period, in the area around Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois, with a group of about 14 other hikers involved in a Road Scholar program ( www.RoadScholar.org ) .  I am certain I could never have accomplished this, if it had not been for God directing me to the First Place 4 Health program, and His enabling me to continue with it over the years.   No matter where you live, you can participate in a First Place 4 Health program already established, or start your own small group.  You will find all the information on how to do this on their website.  If you would like to participate in the classes I will be leading in 2014, you can email me at triciaturnerfirstplace@yahoo.com for more information.  Following the advice given in Matthew 6:33 will give you "Miles of First Place Smiles"!!  Tricia

WHITE RIVER MARATHON FOR KENYA EXPEDITION!

 The Ozarks are famous for drawing visitors who want to enjoy the colors of autumn, as the deciduous trees transition to their palette of red, orange, and gold---sandwiched between the vivid green of cedar and pine.  However, there is a DIFFERENT kind of color you can observe in the Ozarks on the Saturday before Thanksgiving---that is the color of hundreds of runners and walkers, flowing like a river, as they ramble past the White River, in Cotter, Arkansas. 

 This phenomena started ten years ago when avid runner Laurie Kasinger (shown in this collage talking on her cell phone) wanted to turn her love of running, into something that would help others, not just herself.  She talked to her church pastor about it, and with his help, support was garnered from area churches, to start what is now called the White River Marathon (www.whiterivermarathon.com ).  The project chosen to help others, is a part of a Community Development Program, in Katito, Kenya, under the auspices of World Vision (www.worldvision.org ).  It was this event ten years ago, that motivated me to not only participate in the 5K, but also to start sponsoring a child in Katito, Kenya, through  World Vision.  Likewise, dozens of others have become "enlightened" as to how they can help a child on another continent, and are also sponsoring children in Katito.  Several residents from the Mountain Home area have made the trip to Katito to see for themselves, how the World Vision Community Development Program has improved lives for residents of that village.  I am thankful I have been able to see a little girl in Kenya grow from a preschooler, to a teenager, these last ten years, through the photos and updates on her, that I receive  regularly from World Vision.  Likewise, I am thankful that I have been able to participate in the 5K division of the White River Marathon for Kenya these last ten years!  Over that time period, some traditions have developed involving the race, including having my photo made with the Johnsons!  (lower left corner of collage).  In addition,  I remember taking a photo of Laurie at that first race, and being impressed with her gentle spirit.  I got to know her better later, as she was a participant in a healthy living program I work with locally, called First Place 4 Health ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com ).

 As you can imagine, I have a nice collection of tee shirts from the ten events, and the red color of the 2013 shirt, will brighten my closet for sure!

 The thermometer was registering in the low forties, at the 7 am race starting time, which might account for the shivering appearance of some of these marathoners at the starting line! 

 Runners had the option of keeping on their warm outer gear as long as possible, then putting it into a plastic bag with their name on it, piled up at the starting line.  These "drop bags" were then delivered to the finish line, for them to retrieve their outer garments, once they finished the race.

 Fortunately, the precipitation that happened overnight had dissipated by race time, which was a blessing!

 A photographer was there to take photos of people as they crossed the finish line ( www.podiumimages.com ), but I wanted to get my own photo of this pretty First Place 4 Health alum, as she sprinted across the finish line!

 Something new this year was that we each had a computer timing chip attached to our shoe lace (right photo), so it was important that we stepped on the blue mats at the finish line (left photo), to "complete the circuit".  A volunteer was waiting for us at the end, to cut off the "high-tech hardware" !

 As the title of the event implies, the route follows the banks of the White River for much of the time (left photo), so the scenery is gorgeous.  Also, there are trash containers, and portable toilets along the way, to make sure it stays that way!

 At the finish line, there is an abundance of bottled water, sports beverages, GU, bananas, donuts, and bagels, to replenish the tried, hungry, and thirsty runners!  In addition, area Licensed Massage Therapists, volunteer their services, and set up their tables at the Cotter School finish line area, to soothe the aching muscles of those brave souls who complete the marathon.

 Since the finish line is about one mile from the starting line (where participants park their cars), local churches generously supplied vans to transport runners back to the race headquarters at the Cotter School. 

 As always, an ambulance from the local hospital was on site to assist with any emergencies. 

 When a runner/walker returns to the finish line, the bottom part of their race number is torn off, then placed on these boards, in order to keep track of participants' name and age group.  Having assisted with 5K runs back in the 1970's, I can assure you, race tally procedures have been greatly streamlined in the day of cyberspace computer technology!

 I took this photo of Dr. Hilvert giving out a prize, because the female he is presenting it to, is the one who won first place in my age category.  When I went over afterwards to congratulate her, she told me she was from out of state (in the Ozarks, we just say someone like that is from "OFF"), and she was one of numerous folks from "OFF", who return year after year, because they like the location!!  We want EVERYONE, whether they are locals, or from "OFF", to feel welcome at the White River Marathon for Kenya!

 I was DELIGHTED to win second place in my age group for the 5K, and received my first medal (some would say, it is about time, since I have made TEN attempts!)  I especially liked the medal because when you hold it up to the light, the blue sky and green hills are translucent, giving the appearance of a stained glass window!  Even though the ribbon says "second place", if you consider the lady who beat me was not from Arkansas, I could say I was in "first place" of the Arkansas females in my age category! 

 It was so great to see kids participating in the event, and enjoying the excitement of winning a medal, or assisting at the awards ceremony!

 In case a runner realized at the last minute that they needed a particular running accessory, this vendor was there to supply their needs!

 Also available at the finish line was a variety of homemade soups/chili, fruit, pizza, and breakfast sandwiches.  Thanks to all the volunteers/food establishment owners who supplied and served these delicious items!

 Hopefully, seeing what a great event this is, has made you want to put it on your calendar for next year!  As the photo shows, the White River Marathon for Kenya is a Boston Marathon Qualifier, it has the flattest and fastest course in Arkansas, and it is scheduled for November 22, 2014!!  BE THERE!!

 When I saw all the feet at the event today, I was reminded of the verse from Romans 10:15----"How can people tell the Good News if no one sends them?  As Scripture says, 'How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who announce the Good News' ."  In the town of Katito, Kenya, more people are hearing that Good News, thanks to the White River Marathon for Kenya!  This Good News will bring all of us "MILES OF SMILES"!!!  Tricia

ROAD SCHOLAR "GARDEN" EXPEDITION!

 Webster's dictionary says one definition of a garden is a region of great fertility or beauty----and in the case of this photo example---a region of "equestrian beauty"!   I entitled this blog about the final full day of Road Scholar Program #13085 a "garden" expedition because it started out in the "equestrian garden" of the Camp Ondessonk stables ( www.Ondessonk.com ), and ended in the area of Shawnee National Forest, known as the Garden of the Gods Wilderness Area ( www.fs.usda.gov/shawnee ).  After our group had a hearty breakfast in the St. Noel Center, we proceeded to the horse barn, so we could watch 70 horses eat THEIR hearty breakfast!  The seventy horses gathered in the corral outside the barn in the morning, knowing that a delicious meal would be waiting for them inside.  Then when the gate was flung open, there was a stampede, similar to what one would see at a family reunion, potluck dinner in the South!

 For their morning meal, the horses are fed a mixture of several grains (lower left photo), chosen for the nutritional content of the individual cereals.  The upper left photo shows how the Ondessonk staff member carries the big bucket of grain mixture, so that the Road Scholar participant could dish out the correct portion to each animal (left photo).  Each horse stall had a small feeding trough built into the wall, to hold the grain (middle photo).  Considering how many horses there are, you can see that it takes a lot of horse stalls, and a lot of portion dipping, which meant that all of the Road Scholars were able to try their hand at it, if they so desired. 

 I had climbed up on one of the stalls, to try to get an overhead view of how big the barn was, as well as the Road Scholars who were doing the feeding (left photo).  While I was up there, a dentist in our group took the picture of me, shown on the right side of the collage.   (Perhaps he thought I was likely to fall, so the photo could be used as a restoration guide, when I knocked out all my teeth from a "faceplant" into the floor below!)

 I also got up into the barn's hayloft to take the photo of the staff (Johnny, Dru, Xavier, Danae, and Olivia---with Director Brian in back) that had been with us all week.  The pretty lady in the bottom right photo is Megan, who oversees the horse programs at Camp Ondessonk.  The photo of boots and riding helmets in the upper left, is a reminder to say that Camp Ondessonk uses CHA Certified Instructors to provide detailed instruction  in basic horsemanship and riding technique in their arena.  Besides operating weeklong horse camps for youngsters, there is also a horsemanship program for those in the Road Scholar age group ( i.e., 45 years and older). 

 The horse barn at Camp Ondessonk is the only barn I have ever been in, that had a stained glass window in it!  One is not surprised to see beautiful stained glass windows in the chapel at Camp Ondessonk (right side of collage), but a stained glass window in a barn, is a delightful surprise!    

 From a stained glass window created as an enhancement to worship the true and living GOD, the Road Scholars proceeded to an area of the Shawnee National Forest, that has the secular name of "Garden of the Gods" (commonly abbreviated as G.O.G.) Wilderness.  It was about an hour drive by van from our camp, and we started at the place called "Hitching Post Trailhead".  This trail meanders through 5.8 miles of wilderness area within the national forest boundaries.  The G.O.G. Wilderness is a 3,318 acre parcel of land within Shawnee National Forest, and has parts in four different counties in Southern Illinois. 

 We learned that this particular hike was saved for the very last day, so that the program director and hike leaders would have time to assess the group's physical abilities to complete the long trek.  That is because there are no vehicular access roads along the way, and once a hiker gets a distance into the woods, there is no "turning back".  The vans that dropped us off, were driven via highways, to the pickup points several miles away!  The trail is mostly flat, and easily discernible (left photo), with a few steep climbs (upper right photo), that caused  some "huffing and puffing", as we ascended.  Even though the trail seemed to be well maintained, there were a few big trees that had fallen across the main path (perhaps during the government shut down a week earlier!), that had not been dealt with (lower right photo). 

 One passes some sandstone ridges along the way, whose beauty was enhanced by the carpet of red leaves on the forest floor, and the "curtains" of yellows and oranges that drew the eye's attention away from the trail.

 We stopped for lunch on top of a high bluff, that looked over the surrounding Shawnee Hills.  Unlike most of Illinois, this area was never covered by glaciers, which is one of the reasons that its appearance is so different from the rest of the state, accounting for it being the most visited Wilderness Area in all of Illinois. 

Our group huddled together for a quick photo, after we finished our lunch, and proceeded to march off the remaining three miles of our hike.  The temperature was perfect for hiking at a steady pace, but when we stopped for lunch, we found ourselves putting those coats back on, that we had packed away earlier in the hike!   Our pre-trip guidelines had advised us to dress in layers, and it was good advice!  Even though I carried a rain slicker in my back pack all week long, I am VERY THANKFUL I never needed to use it!!  PTL!!

 When Shawnee National Forest was established during the Great Depression, part of the impetus for its designation, was to save the depleted farm lands between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.  To accomplish this, the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) planted thousands of pine trees.  In the photo on the right, Camp Ondessonk staff member, Johnny, points out a pine tree, bearing the "i" blue symbol, that is the official marker blaze for the River to River Trail.   He also pointed out that the pine cones from this species are  more conical shaped (left photo), than pine cones one sees in other areas.

 Near the end of the trail, there is a divide, where you can take the spur that leads to "Anvil Rock" (lower right photo).  It is a fascinating geological formation to explore, and a photographer's delight!  The photo on the right simulates the rocks "biting off" the man's head, and the lower left photo reminded me of an abstract painting of a bony skull!   I read that these orange-colored layers are called "liesegang bands", and were created when ground water mixed with iron in the soil, to form a rust-like substance, which eroded at a different rate than its surrounding sandstone. 

 After several hours of enjoyable hiking, we arrived at the official Observation Trail of G.O.G.  It can be accessed by automobile, (for those who do not want to hike several hours to get there!) and we were happy to find our vans there, so we could put our backpacks inside (which were not needed for exploring the Observation Trail).  This area also had indoor toilets!  The toilets were handicap accessible, and parts of the Observation Trail are also handicap accessible. 

 On the far end of the loop made by the Observation Trail, you have the opportunity to climb out on the hoodoos, and other unusual sandstone formations. 

 These striking patterns and shapes were created by erosion of the sandstone.  That is because eons ago, there was a thick bed of gray sandstone in what is now Southern Illinois.  It was later uplifted, creating a sandstone plateau, that you see in this photo, hundreds of feet higher than the surrounding hills.

 The formations have been given various names, and some people call this formation the "Camel Rock".  Can you see the camel?

 When our merry band of hikers made it to this highpoint of our day, we were TIRED, and as such, took advantage of the sun-heated "rock mattress" to stretch out and enjoy the view ( or nap! )

 This is another view of "Camel Rock", and the scene one often sees on postcards and marketing brochures, telling about Southern Illinois ( www.southernmostillinois.com )

 As our Road Scholar group completed their final hike together, each participant had a sense of "V" is for "VICTORY"!  We had met the challenge set before us, and it was a great feeling of accomplishment!

 In considering the beauty of God's great outdoors, that we had experienced in Shawnee National Forest, I was led to the phrase in I Chronicles 16:33a that says "Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD..."  And the trees, were not the only ones singing for joy before the LORD, so was I!!  This was for sure, a joyous day with "MILES OF SMILES"!!   Tricia     Addendum:  One of the participants in our group was wearing one of those electronic devices that tells how many miles one walked.  The total for the four full days of hiking was about 36 miles.