Ira's Blogs

May 12-13, 2012 Finley Cane - Lead Cove - Bote Mountain Trails Smoky Mountains

ira@irarichardsmith.us — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:30:00 GMT

Clouds appeared to be plentiful as I looked out the windshield but I knew in my mind that the sun would make an appearance this early morning and be with me throughout the day. My Jeep had not traveled too many more miles down the Interstate when my thoughts were proved correct as the sunrise began to make its appearance before me. True, the forecast called for a good possibility of rain this weekend but that was for tonight and on Sunday. Today would be a different story, a day of beauty that comes from a blend of scattered clouds, times of sunshine, temps that would make a nice warm day in the mid 70's, with some periods of good steady but gentle breezes thrown in to cool me down.

April 1, 2012 O & W Bridge Trail Big South Fork

ira@irarichardsmith.us — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:22:00 GMT

The morning was cool and shrouded in a heavy fog that had settled in overnight at the campsite. Sitting there by the tent munching on breakfast, feeling more relaxed than I had in a long time, I pondered the possible hikes I could do on this day before heading back to Nashville. I had read about several options before making the journey and today my mood was still one of wanting to just take in the views of scenery, the more challenging hikes can wait until another visit.

Angel Falls March 31, 2012 Big South Fork

ira@irarichardsmith.us — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:03:00 GMT

The early Spring weekend was predicted to be warmer than usual, little to no clouds in the sky, and only mild breezes called for. I was headed to Big South Fork for my first camping trip of the year, sure it was car camping rather than backpacking, but that did not matter, it would still be fun and it would be my first full weekend outdoors since late fall last year. No challenging hikes on this weekend adventure, just a couple of easy enjoyable hikes that would be loaded with scenery and most importantly those elements which calm and soothe the troubled spirit within.

April 7-8, 2012 West Prong Smoky Mountain Backpacking

ira@irarichardsmith.us — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:43:00 GMT

Cool mountain air flowed freely into my Jeep through the open windows this morning. Sure the sun was already up in the sky, its rays filtering down through the small young tree leaves held high above me from the many trees that lined the road, but it was still early enough the air had that morning chill that made it so fresh and wonderful to breath deeply into my lungs. Today I start on a new adventure in the Smoky Mountains, hiking and backpacking the West Prong Trail with plans to spend the night at Campsite 18 along the trail in the back country. I have day hiked plenty in the mountains, even camped in front country campsites, but this is my first ever true backpacking trip where I pack my gear to a site along a trail. I feel prepared but only time will tell if my planning, research, and application of good ole common sense will pay off.

Why I Like to Hike

ira@irarichardsmith.us — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:15:00 GMT

My enjoyment from hiking began early in life. On the farm hiking was somewhat of a necessity to routinely walk the fence rows keeping any obstructions from bringing the fence down and letting the cattle out. I always enjoyed just walking around the place, going across an open field to enter a wooded area and then just make my own journey as I wandered around. Using landmarks such as the creek and the direction it flowed, there was little concern of becoming lost, trusting in the. I put my trust in the reliable course of natures elements to guide me back out of the woods into the open fields and back home again. Deep in the farthest corners of the farm I even had a favorite tree that I would climb up in and sit on one of its large old limbs for hours, watching the deer come by and take a drink from the stream that ran near the base of it.

Some routes I took were traveled more frequently than others which allowed me to develop a sense of familiarity with the surrounding trees, rock formations, and streams. As the seasons changed those same surroundings took on a somewhat different look always giving me a moment to pause and take in the sight. In many ways it was a good lesson from which I could learn how the elements bring change to what seems otherwise unchangeable. It was through this that I learned to enjoy not only the act of hiking itself but to take the time to look upon all that was around me and view it as something to be treasured instead of an obstacle that must be overcome to a final destination.

As I grew older and more knowledgeable, my feelings about hiking deepened to where I could begin to connect God and all of His wonder into the sights that I would see. Later I would learn that John Muri had some of the same thoughts many years before me. The connection between God and seeing His work in nature served for years as inspiration for Sunday School lessons that I would teach at our local community church. Throughout the week I would spend some time hiking around the family farm, up and down the long gravel and dirt road that lead off the main blacktop road, taking in the sights and sounds of nature, drawing inspiration from them to come up with a lesson for the upcoming class. This connection has become stronger over time leading to many of my current day hikes being as much a spiritual journey as they are a scenic hiking trip.

The other aspect of hiking that I treasure is how relaxed I become. Being apart from our modern day world of schedule deadlines, electronic devices, and other things that often consume our lives, frayed nerves seem to heal, patience that has long ago ran out is replenished, and a tiredness that seems unshakable simply shatters and falls by the wayside. I allow the journey to absorb me, my thoughts focused on nothing more than watching the water in a stream tumble over rocks forming a cascade, my ears hearing the sounds of the leaves rustling overhead as a midday breeze stirs the air, or standing still while watching a deer munch on some grass. Each hike becomes a journey of surprises and wonder even if it is a trail I have traveled dozens of times before.

While there are many reasons that I enjoy hiking so much and receive inspiration from it in so many ways, the reason for this blog is to focus on the spiritual journey and share it with you. No particular faith or doctrine will be presented, instead you will find the core spiritual reflection similar to what I used years ago in that small country church while teaching individuals of many faiths who united together each Sunday in worship in unity and love of God with each other. This will not be any type of hiking guide, there are more qualified individuals to produce such needed works. This is meant as nothing more than a sharing of the spiritual inspiration I receive from my hikes. This accounts for the name I gave this blog, Inspired By Nature.

I hope you follow along, finding something of value and encouragement to you and those around you.

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