For David 06/29/21

Ashland RV Park, Ashland, Nebraska

I’m going to jump ahead in scripture for the next few days. Genesis 26, shares a bit of history that most scholars believe transpired prior to the birth of Esau and Jacob. Because it covers an entire chapter, I’m going to attempt to shorten and/or paraphrase it whenever I feel I can.

Now there was a famine in the land – besides the earlier famine of Abraham’s time – and Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines in Gerar. The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My requirements, My commands, My decrees and My laws.” So Isaac stayed in Gerar. ~ Genesis 26:1-6 Here we learn that God has directly reconfirmed His covenant promise that we learned about back in chapters 12 & 15; passing it from Abraham to Isaac. As we read, Gerar was located in Philistine country, sort of where the Gaza strip is now. Also, this is not the same Abimelech that Abraham encountered, but he is of the same line. According to scholars, this is either the son or grandson of the original Abimelech. Once again, these two are destined to clash. And you have to wonder . . . did the first Abimelech share about his dealings with Abraham with his descendants?

Shepherd with his flock - Stock Image - C003/7121 - Science Photo Library

Why go to an expensive spa for pore cleansing, when you can go on a hike with Blaine? And it’s only $4 per person, or $8 per carload!

Today it’s not about adventure-seeking, it’s only about the exercise. Reminds me of when Blaine used to drag me out to hike in the local parks on Sunday afternoons. There’s nothing noteworthy, nothing adventurous, just much needed exercise.

Because we like to eat. 😊

Knowing we’ll be sitting in the coach all day tomorrow as we drive across Nebraska, Blaine encouraged me into a seven-mile hike today at Platte River State Park. We did it. In the hot. In the humid. In the hills. And we even climbed an observation tower. We didn’t look so pretty when we climbed into the Jeep and headed for home, but we did it.

It’s also good training for the next few weeks as we get ready to enter South Dakota, where we anticipate lots of hiking and sight-seeing.

So why “For David”? David is my Alabaman brother (4 1/2 years younger). The one we spent the end of 2020 with, as we celebrated not only Thanksgiving, but also Christmas. So anyway, he enjoys mountain biking. He would’ve loved this Park. I think he should transplant to this part of Nebraska. The biking trails in this Park (which is what we hiked on) cover enormous amounts of territory. I found myself wondering if anyone ever gets lost in here, because there sure weren’t many signs to point the way. Thank goodness Blaine had cell service and was able to follow the AllTrails app!

That’s about the only sign we had the entire trip,
other than an occasional marker stating how difficult a section might be.

There are hills in here, and in this picture you can see a spur trail off to the right.
With no markers of any kind . . .

A train goes on that bridge!
Wish we’d been here a minute sooner to get a picture. : (

And it had a point. Although what the point is is anyone’s guess. : )
We know nothing of who “Ruthie” is – – or was.

There were lots of these growing at the Point, but only this one was close enough for a picture.
Did you notice the teeny bug I accidently captured?
God never ceases to amaze us!

Thousands of empty branches in this neck of the woods.

We’re sort of at the end of the trail, and from here,
Blaine had to try to find out where we were supposed to go.

According to AllTrails, this is the trail!
Seriously?!?
Watch out tics! Here we come!

Finally! And actual path!
And a banking turn.

There were quite a few roots to navigate.

We don’t know why there are two “Very Difficult” markers here.
Does that mean it’s extra difficult???

And mud. Not sure how you do this on a bike . . .
Get off and carry it? Push it?
All I know is, we couldn’t walk in it and hugged the hill the best we could.

What can I say? Sometimes, I’m fascinated with a beautiful or unusual fungus. : )
This picture helps with perspective on how large this one was!

It’s so big, it’s growing around a stick!

Sand!
Deep enough we had to walk the edge.
Looks like bikes have to as well. See the tread marks on the left?

Fortunately for the foot traffic – specifically us, since we didn’t see anyone else – the bikes can only run before 9AM and after 4PM.

Tackling the 85′ tower turned out to be easier than we’d first imagined. : )

Blaine looking down through the platform, all the way down to the ground!

Wonderful views of the Platte River from the top!

Stunning!
They were growing near the tower.

This stream runs alongside the trail for a while.
We saw quite a few people – adults and kids – playing in the water.
Wish we could! It’s hot and muggy out here today!

Nice playground!
Yes, we’re still on our trail.

There’s a little snack shop here as well as rentables.
Not a very big pond though.

And while we weren’t biking, we did find some adventure today – ice cream for lunch, and a newly hatched gosling! There was a Park Ranger there who said this pair of geese had been in the Park for ten years and never had a single egg hatch, and now they have one! He said he’s considering the possibility that a Canada goose cross mated with her, but they’ll have to wait and see how it grows. (lol – get it? Goes? Grows? I did that myself. Lol)