Tag Archives: God

Why go on a Reboot Wilderness Adventure?

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In a world of full of complexity and busyness, we all crave a little simplicity. What if we had the chance for a day to unplug from the technology, stress and distractions of our daily lives and connect with God and with others while exploring a wild and rugged piece of His Creation?

Reboot hiking and backpacking adventures are low-cost, fun and welcoming to first-timers. They allow us to catch our breath and refocus. We’ve got the basic gear you need including tents, backpacks, sleeping bags and sleeping pads for overnight trips. We only ask a small fee to cover costs.

Reboot is a chance to:

– Live simply and uncluttered for a couple of days. When you camp on the trail, you must carry all your possessions on your back.

– Meet new friends and have fun and fellowship with other men.

– Get great exercise and build your endurance. We usually hike 7-10 miles over two days.

– Earn the privilege of experiencing Alabama’s most breathtaking sights.

– Eat Conecuh Sausage and not feel guilty. You’ll burn the calories on the trail.

– Take a break from Twitter, Facebook and your constantly buzzing phone.

– Experience a real-life adventure while other men are sitting on the couch watching “Man vs. Wild” or playing video games.

– Most importantly, connect with our Creator by exploring His wild, rugged creation. We do this via stopping and sharing along the trail, an evening campfire discussion and a short time of solitude. All discussions are low-pressure. You can participate as much or as little as you’d like.

The group for the Fall 2014 Sipsey trip.

The group for the Fall 2014 Sipsey trip.

Planned Spring 2015 trips

Saturday, March 7: Day hike to Deadening Alpine Trail along the shores of Lake Martin. This 2.5 mile hike is open to men and women and designed as an introduction to the Reboot experience. The trail covers moderate terrain with lots of short up and down sections. We’ll leave Montgomery in the morning and return by mid-afternoon. Click here to reserve your spot. 

Friday, March 20- Saturday, March 21: Men’s overnight backpacking to Sipsey Wilderness. We’ll hike Trail 209 along the Sipsey River with the goal of exploring the famous and sometimes elusive Bee Branch Canyon and Big Tree. We’ll leave Montgomery Friday morning and return early Saturday evening. Click here to reserve your spot. 

Friday, May 1- Saturday, May 2: Men’s overnight backpacking to Sipsey Wilderness.  The destination will be the same as the March hike but we’ll take a completely different route. We’ll start at the Thompson Trailhead and hike Trail 206 along Thompson Creek until it meets up with the west side of Trail 209 along the Sipsey. We’ll take the side trail to explore Bee Branch Canyon and the famous Big Tree. We’ll leave Montgomery Friday morning and return early Saturday evening.  Click here to reserve your spot. 

Seeing God in America’s National Parks

Note: I wrote and posted this piece on my Facebook page back in fall 2009, right before the premiere of “National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” This was several months before going on my first backpacking trip and long before starting Reboot. I stumbled upon it recently and found it interesting that the main idea behind this idea is at the center of Reboot. It’s interesting to look back now and see how God had already been working in my heart about connecting to him through nature with many of the distractions of the modern world removed.

West Thumb basin at Yellowstone National Park.

West Thumb basin at Yellowstone National Park.

Starting Sunday, PBS is airing the newest Ken Burns documentary, “National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” I am really excited to see the documentary because I agree wholeheartedly with the title. I am thankful that our ancestors had the wisdom and foresight to preserve these amazing wilderness areas for “the benefit and enjoyment of the people” instead of commercialization. It got me thinking about something:

I love technology as much as the next person. I check my e-mail about 900 times a day it seems. My cell phone is always on, and I love keeping up with friends on Facebook. But our increasing reliance on technology leaves us disconnected with something that is around us but seems too often forgotten: Nature.

Many times I never felt closer to God than I have when out in nature marveling at His creation. My favorite place in the world is Yellowstone National Park where it is routine to find hiking trails blocked by herds of buffalo, come upon a bear or moose grazing for food near the road and see geysers shooting hot water thousands of feet in the air or hot springs colored deep blue and brilliant yellow from microscopic algae . That’s not to mention the miles of lodgepole pine forests, an immense lake, a canyon whose beauty is only surpassed by the Grand Canyon and several peaceful, grassy valleys carved by glaciers that give way to rugged mountainsides.

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Online registration for fall trips now available

IMG_3995Online registration is now up and running on the Frazer UMC website for our fall adventures. Space is limited, so register today to ensure your spot. You don’t want to miss this chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with God in the outdoors.

Check out the Upcoming Trips page for more details and about each adventure and a link to register for one on the Frazer UMC website.

Sept. 28-29: Men’s overnight backpacking/Bible study adventure to Cheaha Wilderness

Oct. 12: Men’s and women’s day hike to the Deadening Trail on Lake Martin

Nov. 1- 2: Men’s overnight backpacking/Bible study adventure to Cheaha Wilderness

Fall 2013 trip dates

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We are very excited to announce the dates for our Fall 2013 Reboot Wilderness Adventures.  Sign-up information will be available in the next few weeks. Check out the Upcoming Trips page for more details about each adventure.

Sept. 28-29: Men’s overnight backpacking/Bible study adventure to Cheaha Wilderness

Oct. 12: Men’s and women’s day hike to the Deadening Trail on Lake Martin

Nov. 1- 2: Men’s overnight backpacking/Bible study adventure to Cheaha Wilderness