- This topic has 19 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 1 month ago by
.
- Posts
I’m planning to be at Arrowhead for the next two weeks [GW] to do a lot of hiking and reading. So I’ll post this edition of —– SPIRITUAL KINDLING —–> today.
They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Psalm 36:8
Hazardous…
Our canoe glided over the top of Lake Louisa effortlessly as there wasn’t even a wisp of a breeze. Looking down from above the water looked like a gigantic glassy mirror that reflected an empty sky. The firmament was a brilliant blue without a single trace of a cloud. The sun drenched the whole of the landscape and beat down on us and turned our winter white flesh into something rosy and red.
Every few lengths or so I would dip my well worn Tilley hat into the drink and be momentarily relieved by the cool refreshing water that streamed down my face and neck. At one point I took my cup and submerged it beneath the crest and brought up a full cup of crystal clear water and drank it. “You shouldn’t being doing that,” my colleague exclaimed! “Why not?,” I replied, as I gulped down the remaining drops. “Because,” he said, “it’s probably polluted.”
I debated momentarily in my head the words he had spoken. Even though I had risked it many times before I knew that he was right. How could something so crystal clear to the eye and so tasty to the palate suddenly become hazardous? All that I saw around was so strikingly attractive and inspirational. I wondered, for a moment, how much better could it have been at the beginning of time? Perfect, I thought. The whole creation would have been perfect! Then I suddenly realized that I absolutely had no idea what perfect means.
My sinful nature and that of countless others have exploited the land and water and the air and now space and had made a simple act of quenching one’s thirst dangerous.
LORD, the simple words, forgive us, somehow sound cheap and crass. We know that apologies cannot cover the incredible destruction that we have caused to your creation but we ask pardon and forgiveness in your Son’s name. Amen
Coming Up – “Lost”
Photos by ND – Six Mile Lake Tributary
Let’s try this again.
Lost…
I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; search for your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. Psalm 119:176Our adventurous trip continued through the lush forest and waterways of the Gibson Indian/Native Reserve. The water in that area had a light golden beer tinge that made the shadowed rocks below look like chunks of gold. The junction of the river we had reached was smooth and cascaded until being divided at the rock formation in the middle of the channel. We let the gentle chutes propel us through the channel and send us merrily on our way. The channel broadened into a larger body of water. “Which way to go?” The map was so general that much-needed information had been excluded. The more important landmarks and waterway descriptions were missing. The group met momentarily n the middle of the lake and discussed which direction should be taken. The day was moving on and I strongly urged the group to get to the Big Eddy. After exploring an inlet the realization that we were in the wrong area dampened the spirits of the group. The crew turned back and with another conference, we were on our way with a determination that we were on the right track. Jubilation sounded when the Big Eddy was spotted. The wall of the damn had a dark grey prison-look supported by an ungly heavy chained fence on the top. We were on the right trail now and I felt my anxiety subside as our canoes crossed tiny Grey lake and headed for the shore to set up camp.
LORD, how relieved we are when we are lost and then found. We thank you for the salvation that we have Christ Jesus, “…for we were lost but now we are found.”
HELLO ALL! I’m back. Reading, Writing, Relaxing and Hiking was the gig and all were excellently accomplished over the fourteen days at Arrowhead Lake.
SHOULD ANY BE WONDERING BY CHANCE these short stories are taken from Bible, Pack, and Paddle – excerpts from my many trip journals. I’ve always written journals and taken lots of pictures. Of recent date, I’m trying video – but I’m not very good at it.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep that is lost; search for your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. Psalm 119: 176
LOST…
Our adventurous trip continued through the lush forest and waterways of the Gibson Native Reserve. The water in the area had a light gold tinge to it that shadowed the visible rocks below and gave them a gold-like appearance. The junction of the river we reached had smooth running water until it divided at the rock formation in the middle of the channel. No doubt this portion of the river could be treacherous in the springtime when the current would be much faster and higher. On closer examination, the stream could do nothing more than pleasantly propel us through the channel and send us merrily on our way. The channel broadened and a larger body of water emerged. “Which way to go?” The map was so general that much-needed information had not been included that would have been so helpful. The more important landmarks and waterway descriptions were not recorded on the map we were given. The group met together in the middle of the lake for a discussion on which direction should best be taken. Some felt that we should pause and play for a while in the luscious water but I strongly urged the group to get to the Big Eddy before planning any fun. The day was rapidly fading and I had concerns about any further delay would create unnecessary issues. After exploring an inlet the realization that we were in the wrong waters dampened the spirits of these would be explorers. The crew turned back and with another conference, we were on our way with a determination that we were on the right track this time. Jubilation sounded when the Big Eddy was spotted. The wall of the damn had a grey look and with a heavy chained linked fencing on the top of the perimeter made it look like a prison wall. We were on the right trail now and Grey lake was before us. Since dusk was already on us I felt my anxiety subside as we headed to shore to set up camp for the night. The moon was full that night and so was my thankfulness for an exciting day.LORD, how relieved we are when we are lost and then found. We thank you for the salvation that we have in Christ Jesus,”…for we were lost but now we are found.” Amen
Photos by ND Arrowhead Lake
Another Blessed Trip ! I’m So envious of your ability to get Out in the Wilderness and get away from the everyday life. I have always wanted to see Canada and it’s Wild Country , maybe One day I will be able to fulfill my Adventures GODS COUNTRY for Sure.
@huntaholic – It’s Big, Bright, Bold and Beautiful and so are the people. If you are adventurous enough you might even want to try hiking [some] of the longest organized trail on the Planet. The trail is 15,000 miles one way and took twenty-five years to complete.
Photos by ND
Leaving my logo in an isolated spot.
I’m also noted for placing toilet seats on the secluded “thunderboxes” in the interior camping sites. If you are going to have an outdoor toilet I want an outdoor seat too.FROM Bible, Pack, and Paddle – Northern Dancer’s Journals
“Obedient…” – And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even the death on the cross. Philippians 2:8
It was another glorious day in Wolve’s Gate country and I decided not to stay around the campsite but get out and enjoy the day. I had my day pack on and Blazer, my trusty yellow Retriever, had his pack on as well. We planned to have lunch on a little inlet on the Musquash River. The locals referred to the inlet as “Labatt Lake” [after a famous beer]. It is a gorgeous fishing area. Even more enjoyable was the fact that you could sit on the flat rocks In the middle of that portion of the river and let the water gently cascade over your shoulders. The trail to our destination was treacherous and narrow and created mobility problems for Blazer. At one point I was ahead and didn’t realize until I was down to the river bank. I looked up and about ten feet above the river’s edge I could see him stopped, agitated and not able to go forward or backward. Blazer had been well trained to follow verbal and signal commands so to encourage him I patted my right hand across my chest – the silent order to come. In an instant, from a standing position, he jumped from the crest and sailed over my head and splashed into the Musquash River. I was actually stunned and never thought for a moment that he would obey the command in such a manner. With his two front legs straight out he dove and instantly was bobbing down the river and round the bend out of my sight. “I’ve killed my dog!” I shrieked. I hurried down the shoreline with a vision of discovering a drowned dog lying on the shore. When I came around the bend he was coming out of the water shaking off the deluge. I was instantly relieved. With dog pack in tack, tail wagging like a flag, he raced to me as I knelt down and embraced him. That night as I lay on my bunk I thought about his act of absolute obedience – without apparent thought, without question, and immediately he did as he was commanded.
LORD, we have a wonderful example of obedience. Help us, your servants to be obedient too. Amen
Photos by ND – Strolling Moose at Cantisbay lake
That’s a great Story , reminds me of a time when I had my Dogs up in the North Georgia Mountains hunting Grouse and my Big Male Jason came flying off a giant Bolder much higher than my head and hit the ground and never missed a beat looking for Birds. I would have bet he broke a leg but he wad fine a young Dog at this time, that was years ago and some GREAT memories hunting in GOD’S Country.
From Bible, Pack and Paddle – Northern Dancer’s Trip Journals
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Portage…
Across a steep embankment, through a tall grassy area, under an abandoned log bridge and into a rocky basin and finally to a resting place. These are just a few words to describe a gruelling portage. We settled down for a rest. Oranges that tasted sweet, sandwiches, nuts and raisins and some fun with a water jug spilled over a resting colleague concluded the break. But the ordeal was far from over and was really just beginning. Rocks and water, water and rocks, little patches and ponds challenged our physical stamina. We decided to keep our equipment in the canoes and guide them over the terrain. The depth of the water was a few inches in spots, hardly enough to move the heavy laden canoes. The few inches all of a sudden became five feet wide and ten feet deep. People slipped and fell, on slippery rocks made even more treacherous by the wet slimy moss. Down would go this one and down would go that one. To add insult to injury we learned later that there was a gentler route that we could have taken had we paid closer attention to the little notations on the map. Everyone was slipping and sliding, pushing and pulling, grunting and groaning. We finally ended at the bottom ledge, cold, tired, and with memories that would surely be shared at some future campfire. It was getting dark now and we used all the daylight left to get to Shadow Lake. The group made camp quickly. Canoes were pulled up onto the shore and a fine fire was quickly constructed for warmth and food. Our ordeal was finished and so concluded another day of adventure.LORD, when life’s portages get rough and touch help us to keep in our minds and hearts that there is rest in you. Amen
Photos by ND Shadow Lake
From: Bible, Pack, and Paddle by Northern Dancer
I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. John 15:15I enjoy solo camping for lots of reasons. Visiting in the park earlier in the week in an organized campground still affords the opportunity to be alone for the most part and gives one an opportunity to live with nature. It was a gorgeous Wednesday morning at Tea Lake in Algonquin. I was downing the last of a scrumptious breakfast and looking out across the immediate terrain when I immediately jumped to my feet observing a wolf that was not more than fifteen feet from my tent door. Though he was darting quickly I cautiously scrutinized the creature. Yep…no doubt about it…it had all the markings of a wolf – the legs, sleek body, tail in a fixed position, the colour, size, and one odd mannerism. It had a distinctive limp on the right front leg. It did not seem to deter him as he paid me no notice but continued directly on his way. The wolf disappeared as quickly as it had come and left me with a feeling of exhilaration. But there was something dreadfully wrong in what I had witnessed. What was a wolf doing in human inhabited area? What was he doing by himself so close to humans that he dreaded? He was apparently wounded, alone and no longer a member of the pack I surmised. Nature as wonderful and stunning as it is can be cruel and unkind. I know that a wolf that can longer meet the demands of the pack community is n expelled to fend for himself. Survival takes on a whole different meaning now that he is without the pack. My knowledge tells me that he probably would not survive the rigors of loneliness, especially when the bitter winter invades. “The strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack,” to quote Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book.
NOTE: I asked about the lone wolf the following year and was advised that the Wardens had shot it.
Lord, we thank you for friends and family that surround us with love, support, and encouragement. We remember those of our society who are alone and lost. Amen
Wolf Eyes – BBC Science Photo Library
Hidden Wolf – Severn Bridge Photographer: Wesley Liikane (Algonquin Park)
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.