America's Long Trails

I've always wanted to do one of America's National Scenic Trails, but the weird thing is there are too many to choice from. Not only does America have its list of National Scenic Trails, but we have many long trails that curve their way all across the American landscape. I've always been drawn to what is known as the "Triple Crown" (AT, PCT, CDT) because they are the most well known, they have good "trail comradery", and they each tour diverse and beautiful section of the country. Initially, I wanted to do that Continental Divide Trail because of its scenery, length, and remoteness, but now I'm pretty much set on the AT. Though I want to do more long trails, I think the AT is a great first one (or only one) because of the experience of the trail itself. Sam is hiking the AT right now, and hearing about his experiences is what draws me in. Though the CDT and PCT are probably overall more stunning and beautiful, the AT is known for its people and tradition. From what I've seen, the scenery is still amazing and the landscape changes from state to state. I'm planning on heading out on March 1st, 2011. I just have to finish school, and secure post-trail plans...

Sea Kayaking on Fontana Lake

On June 26th and 27th, Gary, Ethan, and I loaded up to head out to Fontana Lake. The is a man-made lake created in the 1930s by TVA and is held back by Fontana Dam, the largest dam east of the Mississippi. We put in just east of the dam itself. It was extremely hot, and being in the kayak obviously made the water easily accessible. We paddled out to campsite 78 (~8 miles), but found some lazy motorboaters had snagged our spot. We swam more a while, and paddled back around the island to find another beautiful spot to camp right on the water. We set up camp, swam for hours (hunting fish with our knives...obviously), and cooked dinner. When the sun went down, we went glowstick diving. We tied a glowstick to a rock and threw it out into the water. Since Fontana is mountain stream runoff, the water is very clear with visibility down to 20 feet or so. We would throw it out pretty far but swimming down the far in pitch black water was erie to say the least.

The next day, we backtracked and paddled down the north shore of the lake, which makes up the southern portion of the Smoky Mountains. Gary found service and called Earth Fare to make sure he didn't have to work, monday, but found out he had to open that day. We were bummed, but took advantage of the rest of the day by swimming many more hours, and snorkeling, napping, and swimming on a shallow island we found. I love this part of the Smokies, and will continue to go back.

Island at the Top of the World

I recently watched this movie in 10 minute intervals via YouTube, and haven't seen it for probably 12 years. This movie was on of the go-tos of my childhood. Though I did watch movies like Star Wars, movies like "Island at the Top of the World" and "In Search of the Castaways" (both Walt Disney Classics) are the movie I absolutely loved.




"Island on Top of the World" contributed a huge part of my adventurous spirit. I'm not sure why, but these movies were events that I wanted to be a reality as a kid. This movie is about a father (Sir Anthony Ross) who takes an airship, the "Hyperion" to the Arctic with Professor Ivarsson in search of Donald Ross, Sir Anthony's son. They encounter all kinds of Arctic creatures from the air on the way in search is this mysterious island, later called "Astragard". They arrive and encounter an ancient Viking civilization that has existed for centuries. The explorers end up trekking through mountains, volcanoes, and the legendary place "where the whales go to die" trying to escape and survive.

The whole movie was strangely magical to watch again after all these years. If you watched it now, you might even laugh, but this movie had lasting effects on me. I really want my kids to watch classic movies like these instead of the stupid movies for kids these days. I will have to watch this movie more often.

One Solitary Life
I heard this and found it pretty unconventional yet strikingly amazing.

"Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself...

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life."


This essay was adapted from a sermon by Dr James Allan Francis