WINTER HIKING EXPEDITIONS!

 In the Arkansas Ozarks, it "bids well" to hike at "Bidwell" Park during the winter, when the park is less crowded.  And I don't mean, that it is less crowded just because there are fewer campers, picnickers, and boaters in the park.  It is also less crowded in terms of ticks and chiggers!  So if you have been "itching" to get outdoors, now is the time to do it!  If you wait until warmer weather, you will be itching, because those lovable little ticks and chiggers will want to join you on your expedition!

 Bidwell Park is part of a system of well-maintained locations around Norfork Lake, near Mountain Home, Arkansas.  They are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as the Ozarks Keystone Trail endowment.  

 I was there recently with my female friends who get together on Wednesday mornings to explore different trails around the Ozarks.  On this day, we were exploring one of the sections of David's Trail ( www.davidstrail.org ), that starts across the highway from Bidwell Point Park.  Since there is no parking at the actual trail head, it is necessary to park in the Corps of Engineer park, then CAREFULLY cross Highway 101.

 The entrance to the trail is not visible from the highway, because it drops off steeply down the hill, as soon as you enter it. 

 Walking along this shoreline will give the hiker good views of both the Highway 101 Bridge and the Highway 412 Bridge that cross Lake Norfork.  Those of us who remember having to make these crossings via ferry boat in "the olden days" probably have a greater appreciation of these bridges that you young whippersnappers!

 The current low lake levels, combined with the hundreds of dead, fallen trees from our big ice storm a while back, have created some coves that were piled high with gigantic "logjams" of driftwood.  It reminded me of the log jams I had seen on Pacific Coast beaches in British Columbia. 

 Our group passed by this picnic table, where one could enjoy a time to sit and enjoy the view of Lake Norfork.  If you go back in the summer, you could be sitting at this table and not even be able to see the water, because of the dense vegetation that will fill the space, when the underbrush has grown up, and all the trees have leaves on them.

 Another recent winter hike I took was also on Lake Norfork, but on the western end of the lake, in Pigeon Creek Park.  Pigeon Creek Park is also a Corps of Engineer Park, but through a partnership with a local bicycle club, a wonderful multi-use area has been developed called the Pigeon Creek National Recreation Trail.

 There are parking areas on both the east and west ends of the Highway 201 North bridge.  The benefit of the the East side parking lot is that there is a portable bathroom, which is always helpful!

 There are several different locations where one can begin their hike, and the distance you cover depends on where you park to begin.

 For this hike, I was with a group of my Arkansas Master Naturalist friends ( www.arkansasmasternaturalists.org ).  We met a man walking his dog at this scenic overlook along the trail, and got him to take a group photo of us.  This spot has been nicely cleared of underbrush, and a sturdy park bench added, so that one could enjoy a view of Lake Norfork year-round from high atop this hill, overlooking the water.

 The trail goes by the remains of an old building, giving rise to speculation as to its history.

 At the website www.americantrails.org , one can download, then print, a map of the numerous trails available at Pigeon Creek.  There are no maps available at the trail heads.

 Some of the trails are marked with blue blazes to help one get their bearings.  One of the trail markers also had the GPS co-ordinates on it, as well.

 The trail description on the Internet says hikers will go through a stand of pine trees that was planted over fifty years ago, and they are shown in this photo.  That means they were planted around the time that the Lake Norfork Dam was being built.

 Leaving the state of Arkansas, and driving north into Missouri, my women's hiking group traveled to the Devils Backbone Wilderness, in Mark Twain National Forest to hike Raccoon Hollow Trail ( You can find directions to the trail at www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf )

 There is not a sign along the highway marking the trail head, so you have to be very alert to see the turnoff to its secluded entrance in a thick pine forest.  There are over 1.5 million acres in Mark Twain National Forest, so be sure to have a good map when you start out on your trek!

 Considering the cold temperatures and distance we had to drive to get to this remote trail, it is surprising that over 30 ladies turned out to explore Raccoon Hollow!  

 Devils Backbone Wilderness Area is one of 8 wilderness areas protected and preserved in the state of Missouri.  It was designated in 1980, and has a total of 6,595 acres.  It was named for a prominent ridge down the center of the area, and is described as "limestone glades", near the little town of Dora, Missouri. 

 I am thankful we are being good stewards of this beautiful land God has created for us.  Seeing the beauty there, illustrates this verse from Psalm 96:12 that says  "Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.  Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy."  Think of the chorus of joy that 1.5 million acres of trees are singing!!  My First Place 4 Health group (www.FirstPlace4Health.com), is memorizing the first two verses from the same psalm, that says,  "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples"  Psalm 96:1-3.  So get out there and take a winter hiking expedition, so that you, too, can sing with joy and have MILES OF SMILES!  Tricia

AGRITOURISM EXPEDITION

 The niche market of Agritourism has been steadily gaining momentum, as folks around the world are becoming more interested in where, and how, the food they are eating is being grown and harvested.  The owner of the family farm shown in this photo ( BernreuterFarm@hotmail.com ) took me, and several other tourists, on a drive around the Saginaw Valley of Michigan, so we could see the various types of agricultural operations that region engages in.

 Most of the farms our guide drove us through were small, family-run operations, such as the one above. 

Many of the small farmers participate in co-ops, where they can share the use of certain pieces of machinery needed to make their operation a success. 

 Since we were not far from the "birthplace" of the now-famous "Kellogg's Corn Flakes" (see blog I posted on August 25, 2012 for more details on that topic), it is not surprising that we saw many acres of corn that was "as high as an elephant's eye", and it looked like it stretched clear into the sky!!  Oh, what a beautiful morning it was!

 Besides the corn, there are various types of bean crops grown in the area as well.

 Although we saw several of the "old-fashioned" wooden barns on our tour, we also saw a few newer ones, such as the colorful red metal structures shown in this photo.

 Another crop grown in the area is cucumbers, which had mostly been harvested, to be eventually turned into pickles.  Our guide told us that the cucumbers seen still laying in the field, and pitched off to one side, were those that were unsuitable for pickle requirements.

 This piece of equipment was plowing the field that just days earlier had been full of cucumbers.  The ground had to be prepared for the next crop.

 When our bus pulled into the space shown in this photo, I had no idea what those strange-looking, silver structures were, lined up across the horizon.

 We found out they were storage silos for sugar beets.  This location just outside Frankenmuth, Michigan (hence the German "Willkommen" on their sign) is one of just a few places in the USA, that is part of the supply line for sugar that is made from beets.  Most of the sweeteners used in food processing today are made from corn, and used in the form of high fructose corn sirup.

 When we were back in the "city" we were able to see this very large grain storage, receiving, and distribution operation, that helps get the farm product to the consumer.

 Our guide told us that the company we were seeing called "Star of the West Milling Company" was a major supplier of flour for MacDonald's hamburger buns, plus local restaurants, as well.

 In fact, when we ate at a local Frankenmuth Restaurant---the very popular Bavarian Inn, the management acknowledged all that was involved in bringing food to their guests, by having this small poster on every table, that was a prayer of thanksgiving to God, both before the meal and after the meal.

 I was reminded of these images from my agriculture tour, when I was trying to visualize a mnemonic device to help me learn one of my First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com ) memory verses.  It says "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 . I am thankful that the farmers in Michigan who plowed the fields,  planted the seed, watered the seed,  and weeded the fields, did not grow weary of the good work they were doing;  instead, they stuck with it until the end, so that they could reap a harvest, because they did not give up!  If you would like to learn more about visiting this lovely section of Michigan, you can click on www.visitsaginawvalley.com or www.visitgreatlakesbay.org.  Plus, there may be a farmer near where you live, that you can encourage to not grow weary in doing good!  It will give you (and the farmer!)  MILES OF SMILES!  Tricia

SUISUN WATERFRONT EXPEDITION

 There is a picturesque area in Solano County, about halfway between San Francisco and California, that is a great spot to visit.  It is called Suisun City.  Suisun means "west wind", and was also the name of the original Native Americans who lived in the valley.  Originally, the city was an island, connected to nearby Fairfield, California, by a causeway.  This body of water eventually can connect a boater to the Sacramento River or the San Francisco Bay, and was designated by Field and Stream  magazine as being among the top 50 places to catch the "fish of your dreams".  If the "fish of your dreams" is closer to a delicious hunk of grilled salmon in a nice restaurant, then now is an especially good time to visit Suisun City, because they are promoting their annual Restaurant Week from January 18 - 27, 2013.  You can see menus and get more details at www.suisunwaterfront.com .   This photo shows part of the Suisun Marina, with their Suisun City Hall in the background.

 The Harbor Plaza park along the waterfront is the site of many special events, including a lighted-boat Christmas parade, Fourth of July fireworks, and numerous arts/crafts extravaganzas.

 On the day that I visited, a local olive grower was showcasing their extensive line of artisan olive oils, and allowing visitors to taste the various varieties.  The knowledgeable exhibitor was also educating interested visitors, on the expanding and popular olive grove industry in California's central valley. 

 This vendor had a plethora of hand-crafted, locally made jewelry,  clothing items, and other accessories, that would make the perfect souvenir of your visit.

 When I visited the Suisun Waterfront with my cousins (Brenda is on the left, and Debbie is on the right, in the photo), we enjoyed strolling the Waterfront Promenade, after consuming a delicious brunch, at a quaint restaurant across the street from the park. 

 The Suisun Marsh is the largest continuous brackish body of water, remaining on the West Coast of North America, and as such, it is a critical part of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento River Delta Estuary ecosystem.

 I was reminded of my visit to Suisun City when I was mentally going through images in my mind, of lighthouses I had photographed.  I was trying to find a "mnemonic device" to help me learn one of my memory verses for my weekly healthy living class ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com )  Psalm 89:15 says "Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD."  I have definitely been blessed by the Lord, and blessed by my cousins, who took me on a walk along the  promenade, in the sun light of God's presence, beside the reflection of this picturesque lighthouse.   My Suisun Waterfront Expedition gave me "Miles of Smiles" and will do the same for you!!  Tricia

SMITH ROCK EXPEDITION

 Years ago, when I first found out that my son would be moving to Oregon, to complete his residency training, to become a physician, I was at a National Tour Association conference, where I could talk to Oregon tourism representatives, about what their state had to offer.  When I would mention that my son was moving there, in part, because he was a big fan of rock climbing, the Oregon official would invariably say, "Oh, you will want to learn all about Smith Rock, in that case."  That was the first I ever heard of Smith Rock. 

 With their help, I learned that this world-famous climbing location is located within Smith Rock State Park ( www.oregonstateparks.org ), in Central Oregon's High Desert region.

 Most of its sheer cliffs are formed from tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) and basalt (cooled lava).  The park contains over 1,000 climbing routes, at all levels.  Some of the climbing routes are bolted, which means that a permanent anchor has been fixed into a hole, drilled into the rock.  Smith Rock has the distinction of having the first United States climbing route  rated 5.14, which means extremely challenging. 

 Since Smith Rock is considered the birthplace of modern American sport climbing (according to www.wikipedia.org ), it is not surprising that my research on the topic eventually led me to an organization, headquartered in nearby Bend, Oregon, that is called Solid Rock Climbers for Christ ( www.srcfc.org ).  I have been donating to their non-profit ministry for many years, and have great respect for their mission.  They have produced a fantastic climbing DVD, filmed on Smith Rock's Crossfire Route, that is available free of charge by emailing  office@srcfc.org .  You can also watch excerpts of the DVD on their website.  I like the "movie tagline" for the video that says "CROSSFIRE - featuring an insignificant climber sharing a significant message."  The film features SRCFC National Director, Calvin Landrus, climbing the Crossfire Route (rated 5.12b).

 The reason I am posting these photos of Smith Rock now, even though it was a few years back that I visited there, is because these are the images that popped into my mind , when I started trying to visualize the word "desert", that is in the Week 4 of Motivated to Wellness study I am doing with others in my community ( www.myfbcmh.com ).  My goal is to post photographs on my blog that will help me memorize each of our 10 memory verses in this session of First Place 4 Health ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com ).  Everything you read about Smith Rock talks about it being in the HIGH DESERT---so here is the verse from Isaiah 43:19 that I am working on: "See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."   It is interesting that for centuries, Scripture has told us it was wise to "hide God's Word in our hearts---that is, memorize it."  Now, scientifically controlled, double-blind studies are showing that people who keep their minds active all their lives, can slow the onset of dementia and age-related memory loss!!  All sorts of books on "mind exercises" and "mental sharpness practices" are being advertised to us Baby Boomers.  Being the frugal person I am, my choice for "mind exercises" is to memorize God's Word.  I have complete confidence that doing so will give me MILES OF SMILES in the days ahead!  Tricia