Back in Estes Park
I’m back in Colorado! It just so happens to be the land of my birth. But it feels like home for many different reasons. My family has made many special memories here. God has spoken to me here. And on … Continue reading
Category Archives: Hiking
Geauga County Hiking Quest
I think I might have just completed my most recent personal hiking challenge: walking every step of every trail in Ohio’s Geauga County. But then again, I’ve thought that before. Maybe you can help me in my quest and fill in any trails I might … Continue reading
Charlie’s Bunion
There were twenty-five of us who signed up to hike a four-mile segment of the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to a geological feature known as Charlie’s Bunion on our Free Day in the Smoky Mountain Retreat. That’s a pretty … Continue reading
Posted in H2O Kent, Hiking, Photography, Recreation, Travel
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Racing to Meet the Spring
I love our church’s Spring Break trip to the Great Smoky Mountains for many reasons. The change in scenery… the opportunity to practice spiritual disciplines… the community and camaraderie… All of these are lovely. But on our recent drive from … Continue reading
Posted in Church, God, H2O Kent, Health, Hiking, Introspection, Ministry, Photography, Prayer, Recreation, Small Groups, The Bible, Travel, Weather
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ManMaker 2022
It’s comical how many permutations of the name “ManMaker” exist within the H2O Network, within our own church, and even within our own staff team. ManMaker… Manmaker.. Man-Maker… Man Maker… Man Maker’s… Man-makers… Man’s Maker’s… I think the time may … Continue reading
Morning Grit; Evening Grace
Today has been a day of contrasts! One might say “Morning Grit” and “Evening Grace,” to adapt a phrase I recently heard from a friend. I started out the day by waking up early and driving an hour north of … Continue reading
Spiritual Disciplines in the Wilderness
For the past twenty years, a leader in our network of churches has been guiding people into the wilderness for spiritual solitude. He promotes the program very simply and directly: WilderneSS excursions are comprised of five days of complete solitude. … Continue reading
My Top Ten Hikes of 2021
It’s that time of the year for retrospection. After posting my Top Ten Songs of 2021 and Top Ten Books of 2021, I’m following the pattern that I established in previous years, turning my attention to hikes that I’ve been privileged to enjoy … Continue reading
Posted in Health, Hiking, Kent, Nostalgia, Ohio, Recommendations, Recreation, Sports, The United States of America, Traditions, Travel
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Top Ten Hikes in Portage County (Ohio)
It’s been a couple of months since I completed my quest to hike every trail in Portage County. But I haven’t been able to recapitulate and reflect on my 371.4-mile, 122-hour, year-long experience… until now. The thing I appreciate most … Continue reading
Posted in Health, Hiking, Kent, Ohio, Recommendations, Recreation, Sports, Travel
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The Peak of Fall Colors
We Midwesterners love to fret about the Fall. “The maples don’t seem to be as vibrant as usual this year.” Or, “It’s awful warm for October, don’t you think?” Or “I’m worried that we’re going to skip fall and jump … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Hiking, Home, Introspection, Kent, Nostalgia, Ohio, Recreation, Traditions, Transition, Weather
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