The Mountains Are Calling...

"The mountains are calling and I must go." This quote is from John Muir, the original advocate for America's national parks. I found it on a t-shirt at Shenandoah National Park and had to have it. You see... I feel the same way!

Mountains are awe-inspiring and beckoning. Having been raised in the relatively level lands of north central Texas, I've always thrilled at the first site of distant peaks on the horizon as we drove toward a vacation destination. I'm compelled to explore the vast, mysterious alpine ranges, following winding roads higher and higher with clouds hovering nearby. 

Their grandeur is heralded in song and scripture... "for purple mountain majesties" in America the Beautiful. You might have noticed one of my favorite hymns, How Great Thou Art, is posted on my intro page.  I adopted the first phrase of the second verse for the title of my blog.

In the book of Isaiah, "The Lord's house will be established as the highest of the mountains and raised above the hills. All the nationals will stream to it." Psalm 87:1 - "The city the Lord has founded stands on holy mountains."

Mountains represent challenge. They call us to climb and conquer, both literally and symbolically. My Camp Gladiator trainer calls on us to face our mountains and not shrink before them... "You have been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved." I contend we don't move them ourselves, but with the faith and strength only the Lord can provide.

Their beauty brings a quiet joy to my heart... peace. And that's my wish for you, as you hear the mountains' call.

Psalm 72:3 - May the mountains bring peace to the people and the hills bring righteousness.

"On the Road" Signs

I have a goal for my travels... I want to visit every National Park in the contiguous United States. Honestly, I want to get to ALL the National Parks! But you see... I like road trips.... a lot. Just ask my friends and family about that:) So I decided to set my goal based on my ability to get to the Parks via road trip. Once that goal is met, I'll figure out the rest.

As I mentioned in a previous post, our family wandered to several of the National Parks while I was growing up, some more than once, and some I'd like to see again. I've had the good fortune to visit Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons three times. I've lost count of the number of times I've been to Carlsbad Caverns. I've been to the Great Smoky Mountains several times. 

In the past few years, I've traveled with one of my best friends and camping buddies... Libby. We hiked Yosemite, explored Sequoia, discovered the colors of Death Valley, and wept over the Grand Canyon (yes, that trip will take a few posts to cover!). Her mom, Elaine, told us she wanted to see Carlsbad Caverns and Big Bend National Park. So we loaded her up and off we went! We're working on a couple more "bucket list" trips... stay tuned for those stories.

My daughter caught the wander-lust bug from me. Ashley, my sister Peggy, and I went to Yellowstone years ago. Ashley and I have also wandered through Mammoth Cave and the Smokies together. 

So far, I've visited 19 National Parks and a fair number of National Monuments and Historic Areas. In our family travels, we stopped a lots of these off-the-beaten-path places... more than I could ever recall accurately! The National Park Service has 59 designated Parks... 12 of those are in Alaska, Hawaii and island territories, so they're not in my original "goal" plan. But I bet I manage to hit most of them! Here's where I've been: Badlands, Big Bend, Bryce Canyon, Carlsbad, Death Valley, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Tetons, Great Smoky Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains, Kings Canyon, Mammoth Cave, Mesa Verde, Petrified Forest, Sequoia, Shenandoah, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.

It's funny that I've never stopped at Hot Springs NP in Arkansas... it's less than a day from me! Hmmm... I feel a weekend road trip coming on. Who's in with me?

A Lifetime of Exploring

For as long as I can remember, my family has spent summer vacations and other trips exploring National Forests, National and State Parks, back roads and other open spaces. Some of my earliest memories are of riding in the cab of our 1964 Chevy pickup as we roamed highways and dirt roads... exploring forests, deserts, mountains, canyons and more. 

These journeys taught me to appreciate the beauty of God's creation and helped me discover the wonder and peace it inspires. I've grown to cherish any chance I get to go "off road" and wander trails and footpaths, soaking in the sights, sounds and smells of piney woods, birds and wildlife. I've waded in frigid mountain creeks, traversed dusty canyon trails, 

I often struggle to express how these adventures impact my soul... the deep emotions that drive me toward these vistas. 

Job 12:7-10 says it better than I can... "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

In this digital space, I look forward to sharing stories, memories and plans for future adventures. I hope you enjoy the journey with me.