Well first off, let me apologize for the delay of this entry. It has been quite a cumbersome experience trying to negotiate all of these pictures into this entry - especially the thumbnails. Come to find out, there's this neat little feature that generates HTML codes for thumbnails on my picture-hosting site. What a eureka moment that was for me. This is what happens when you're not totally familiar with HTML jargon (more like light sprinkles of knowledge). However, there's no sanctum for procrastination...as that's probably the biggest reason for this moratorium. Now, on to the entry my friends...
Life is full of bliss these days. The camping and whitewater rafting trip was perfectly-timed. It wasn't until I came back that I realized how much I needed to get away to just enjoy the fellowship of some very near and dear people. City life, although the norm for most people, can often bludgeon the soul to the point where a smidgeon of reality is left to gain perspective from. I'm fully convinced that God prescribed this weekend. The splendor of His canvas was laid out vastly for me to breathe in. I typically favor the fall season for its change in colors, but spring's palette silhouetted the rolling hills and alongside many streams and lakes. His peace rushed in magnanimously to save this numbed soul. I acquiesced...
Every night, the four of us would gather around the fire to reap in warmth. As it dwindled down to just a mere hotbed of charred wood pieces, the hairs on my body rose in reaction to the cold and brisk mountain air. All that remained was the warmth nestled inside me. The ardor to which we shared was a result of this sweet and beautiful fellowship we had. That to me, was the true lure of these luminous moments. As we would wrap up our simplistic sessions of conversation, I would anticipate slumbering to the wonderful backdrop of rushing water. There's something so indescribably good about how water runs through the intricately-placed rocks in a stream. Over the test of time, they jostle around; some become smoother than others...but in unison they work to provide this smooth whitewash to where the human eye can stare and be enraptured until peace arrives and settles in. I envisioned this stream to be an integral stronghold of faith. It is comely depicted in His word (Deuteronomy 8:7, Psalm 1:3). I kept thinking of how I wished I could always have this vivid reminder of how one should be rooted in Him.
Life is full of bliss these days. The camping and whitewater rafting trip was perfectly-timed. It wasn't until I came back that I realized how much I needed to get away to just enjoy the fellowship of some very near and dear people. City life, although the norm for most people, can often bludgeon the soul to the point where a smidgeon of reality is left to gain perspective from. I'm fully convinced that God prescribed this weekend. The splendor of His canvas was laid out vastly for me to breathe in. I typically favor the fall season for its change in colors, but spring's palette silhouetted the rolling hills and alongside many streams and lakes. His peace rushed in magnanimously to save this numbed soul. I acquiesced...
Every night, the four of us would gather around the fire to reap in warmth. As it dwindled down to just a mere hotbed of charred wood pieces, the hairs on my body rose in reaction to the cold and brisk mountain air. All that remained was the warmth nestled inside me. The ardor to which we shared was a result of this sweet and beautiful fellowship we had. That to me, was the true lure of these luminous moments. As we would wrap up our simplistic sessions of conversation, I would anticipate slumbering to the wonderful backdrop of rushing water. There's something so indescribably good about how water runs through the intricately-placed rocks in a stream. Over the test of time, they jostle around; some become smoother than others...but in unison they work to provide this smooth whitewash to where the human eye can stare and be enraptured until peace arrives and settles in. I envisioned this stream to be an integral stronghold of faith. It is comely depicted in His word (Deuteronomy 8:7, Psalm 1:3). I kept thinking of how I wished I could always have this vivid reminder of how one should be rooted in Him.
The camping experience, as a whole, was fantastic. We didn't have to rough it or anything. We had two electrical outlets, clean bathrooms and showers, and really good meals. There were two evenings where we could see countless stars in the sky. And then there was that one night where the tent leaked - we'll save that not-so-fun story for a day where I dislike rice. The day before our whitewater rafting adventure, we had a chance to visit Tsali Recreation Area. It has some very intense trails for bikers. Tony fell victim to one of the trails as his hiking shoes (brand to remain nameless Just Do It) bit into his ginormously wide feet. Howard, well...had intentions of conquering a trail with his bike, but instead, he opted to conquer stomach acid about a mile and half into the trek. The trail Howard and I rode in this area a few years back was relatively easy. The trail this time around was no joke - easily the hardest one I've ever traversed. There were parts that inclined at very steep rates (> 45 degrees). Big Bertha rocks and tree roots aided my recurring knee pains during these climbs. Also, there were numerous puddles that had developed from the rain that had fallen the night before. Some of these mystery puddles engulfed half of my tires. Not so thrilling when your traveling at brisk speeds. I was surprisingly pleased that I didn't suffer a flat. Walking back numerous miles would not have been an ideal situation.
The Chattooga River was absolutely incredible. It was our first time being exposed to class four and five rapids. As I mentioned previously in my audio entry, it was pretty chilly that morning. The sun didn't really breakthrough till about the last hour we were on the river (we were on it for close to seven hours). It rained for part of the way also. Thank goodness for wetsuits and splash jackets or else we would've all had the full prune experience (wrinkled and purple). I'm hoping we can make it back up there around October or November to see the foliage along the River. They say it's breathtaking. I can only imagine how amazing it'll be to gaze my eyes upon those autumn colors. It's so ghetto that our leaves change colors here in January - and then next thing you know they're growing back in March. Oh well, the mattress behind me is calling. I'll let the pictures do the remainder of the storytelling...
~KH
Yes, I camped and went down a river with these goofballs. Some questions are better left unanswered...
What this picture doesn't tell you is that a few hours before this placid look came a very heavy onset of heaving on the bicycle trail. Fixedfront Valley's Man of the Month title was relinquished as he beckoned to the call of the wild - I have never heard such clamoring from one's mouth.
Howard is proud of his adidas sunglasses I got him for his birthday. You look sooo slick German Hammer...
Here is Wolfgang Puck's apprentice in all of his cooking glory. Four yummy steaks from the Omaha Steak Company being seasoned by a $.50 pepper shaker from Wal-Mart.
I had so much fun sitting around fires like this with my peeps.
I'll tell ya, FFV's men have never looked so rugged (and lame)...
Ummm...Julie, you married Tony why? Tony had a lot of beans prior to this pic. Let's just say that the chair was no longer foldable afterwards...
I present you with Fixedfront Valley's Man of the Month - Part Deux. Someone had to take over Howard's title.
NOTE: Below you will find the Whitewater Rafting pics. They were originally taken in King Kong size, and making them small enough to fit in this entry was not doable. Please click on each thumbnail for bigger pics.
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