The Arizona Trail: Am I Crazy or What? July 18, 2025.

 Now, it was probably a good thing that I invited my three wonderful sisters, Alyson, Amy and Emily, who are now horrified that I am planning this hike. I thought that I had planned my this adventure pretty well, but they have brought up some very good thoughts.

First, and foremost, they are afraid that I am too old for this excursion. The hike is difficult and promises to be a real challenge. There will be miles and miles of desert as well as mountain ranges to cross. Then Amy, who is a retired Physical Therapist, worries that my hip, which was replaced in 2012 may cause me problems, and realistically, it is a concern. Their real concern is for my dog, Jack, who has been my best friend since I inherited him a year ago. They worry what would happen to him. Their concerns are all well founded and must be addressed.

Border Wall

One factor that I had overlooked was starting at the Mexican border. Being more cautious now, I looked more carefuly at my plans, and I found that it is not a good idea. I read that t border wall is being constructed, so I will find access to the trail in another location, and there are many trailheads. 

Addressing my age of 75 years, I am healthy and my only medication I require is Levothyroxin for hypothyroidism. For all of the above, I will have my doctor look at me to determine if I should not try to hike this trail. There are countless reasons that I must address all issues. But I am an avid mountain biker, and hike 3-4 days a week. I use trekking poles to take some of the ware and tear of of my hips, knees and feet. My bet is that there are many individuals who are not as healthy as me, who have not taken the precautions I have, and who have hiked this trail.

I will also be hiking much of the trail with Amanda, who is very fit and a nurse as well, so when she is with me, I will have the necessary support. And chances are that I will meet others on the trail who wouldn't mind if I tag along. 

Last, my old friend Jesse will give me support, bringing me supplies and the items I will need. I will be on the trail a day or two, then I will exit to a location where Jesse will be. If something begins to go wrong, I will meet Jesse at the next stop.

Each of my sisters, has their own perspective on this issue. Emily cut to the core. She has offered to pay me monthly if I don't go on this hike 

I love you all!  Steve 

 

The Arizona Trail and What Will I Eat? July 18, 2025

 My focus now is to determine what recipes I will use. The backpacking dehydrated food may be relatively tasty, but it is expensive. In the past I used to dehydrate my own food, but now I don't have a dehydrator. Now, I am asking my Facebook friends to help me out. If you have a suggestion about meal opportunities, please click on the "Comment" link below. Thank you!

Later, Friends,

Steve 

The Arizona Trail, The beginning (07-17-2025)

 I am finally on the path to do those things that I had wanted to do while I was in Kansas. This time I am hoping to hike the Arizona Trail, an 800 mile trek from the Mexican Border to Utah. The last part of the hike will take me through the Grand Canyon. I purchased a camera that will take both pictures and videos which I will publish into this blog.

I will be hiking with Amanda, a fellow hiker and a dog owner. In fact, Jack, my dog, feels that Amanda's pooch, Honey, is his girlfriend. Now, she has been unfaithful to him, but he keeps a stiff upper lip, and forgives her. 

If you return to this blog, you will see more pics and videos as well as a running commentary of this trip. I've been flirting with the idea of taking this foolishly long hike for months, but I feel good about it. It's not like I'm climbing K-2, but the  hundreds of miles of desert will certainly be a challenge. 

The photo shows Jack in the front hogging the camera, honey to the right, obviously not interested in having her picture taken, and Amanda attempting to control the dogs.

Much of my confidence of this fools errand comes from the fact that Amanda, who is a nurse, will be there with me, at least for a while. And Jesse, my old friend has volunteered to be at points on the trail where I can get re-supplied. My only fear is getting water. When this trail was created, there were places along the trail where through hikers could have access water. Hikers who need this water, and all hikers do, will need to filter some pretty rough wet stuff, and much of it will be green mossy water for drinking and cooking. I have a filter for this water and have drunk green water once on a packing trip with my daughter in the 1990s. It tasted pretty fishy, but it was wet, and that is all that matters. 

So far I have a tent, a camera, 2 backpacks, a doggy pack, a light weight single burner camp stove, and a tent. We will need much more, but we are on our way.

There's one more task I need to address, and I will try to make this endeavor a way to collect donations that will be used to help fund education. I figure that there are some who believe I am crazy, but there are some who seem to want funding for education stopped. Education is vital for building our country back to where it once was. Unfortunately there are some who believe that education is unnecessary. I guess they want to create a third world economy where there are plenty of workers who must work for starvation wages just to survive. I don't want that world, and I will do everything to prevent that from happening.

Happy Trails!

Steve

Is Israel Right in Taking Palestinian Land?

The Bible unequivocally condemns stealing, including stealing land. Several passages emphasize the importance of respecting property rights and the consequences of violating them. Deuteronomy 19:14 explicitly prohibits moving a neighbor's boundary marker, highlighting that land is an inheritance from the Lord. Micah 2:2 describes the act of seizing land by force and violence as a form of stealing.

Deuteronomy 19:14:
"You shall not move your neighbor's boundary marker, which the men of old have set, in the inheritance that you will hold in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess". This verse emphasizes that land is a sacred inheritance, and altering property boundaries is a sin against God.

Proverbs 23:10-11:
"Do not oppress the poor because they are poor, and do not crush the needy in the land. For the Lord will be against them, and he will not be pleased with them, and will make them ill, and they shall be healed. Do not steal the land of the needy, for the Lord will punish them for their sins and make them ill". This passage cautions against exploiting the vulnerable and warns that stealing land will lead to divine retribution. 

So many voices have been silenced by those who believe that Israel has total rights to keep and control the Holy Land. They don't.

From The Vigil of Easter

I had fallen into a slump, so I attended two church services over Easter. Doing so enabled me to pull myself from the doldrums, into which I had fallen. These paragraphs helped, and I hope they help others.

Father God:

God of the church, you light the new fire of resurrection in the holy darkness of the tomb. Kindle faith in our hearts, that your church may arise in the promise of new life and hope. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of creation, the earth itself waits for healing and redemption. Protect coastlines and reefs, forests and prairies, and the air from which we draw the breath of life. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of nations, too often the injustice of the cross echoes in the human systems of power. Topple the thrones of tyrants, liberate your people from the bonds of injustice, and create a world rooted in compassion, that together, all of humanity might thrive. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of mercy, you know every heart that aches with loss and every mind that knows the weight of the tomb. Keep vigil with those that suffer; comfort those who weep, console all who grieve, and bring healing to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Receive these prayers, loving God, for the sake of the One who loved us to the end, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen

This was written by Rev. Micah Sievenpiper, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Kansas City MO                     April 19, 2025

A Prayer for President Trump and the United States

 Heavenly Father:

You are the Creator of everything good and nothing bad. You have given us life and and instructions which give us ways to live a peaceful and loving life. Your gift of the Holy Spirit comforts us and Your Son has given us everlasting life. You are the only one who can help our world find peace.

Lord, we hold our President, Donald Trump to you and ask that you help him find peace, not only with other people, and other nations but within himself. Please give him the wisdom to make the decisions that will benefit all Americans, and help to create peace throughout the world we live in.

We also ask that you provide hope and spiritual support to those who have lost employment and those whose lives have been have been shattered by the decisions of the current administration. 

We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

When Do the MAGA Folks Drink the Trump Kool-Aid

 I have to wonder how MAGA members continue to support Trump. His promises to improve the lives of voters, notably the lie that he would bring the price of eggs down. Except for a slight decrease in their prices caused by an increase in the supply, nothing has happened. In fact, with his tariffs, it is far more likely that prices will rise.

He has alienated Canada and European allies. With his tariffs, a proposed assault on Greenland, he, and others, especially those who voted for him, have destroyed any trust we may have had in the past. Now will our trading partners continue to purchase our products, and will they continue to provide us with the products we need, like oil and natural gas? Will we still have the backing of NATO?

He also promised to end the war in Ukraine on his first day. Nope. There had been a weak cease fire, but Russia only slowed down. (And, by the way Russia started the war and not otherwise.) Trumps threat of pulling out of NATO has earned Europe's disdain, and it should worry us as well. Both Canada and Europe have been exploring other options with other trade partners. 

Trump's tariffs trashed the stock market until he postponed their application, and in the process, he announced that it was a good time to buy, instigating insider trading.

Trump's hatred for any law that stands in his way, and with the Supreme Court's gift of “a presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution” for any actions related to his official responsibility, allows him to do anything he wants. Now this may sound acceptable to MAGA, the reality is that Trump's focus could turn on them, and he can do anything he wants.

So, belly up to the bar, MAGA, and drink the elixir he has prepared for everyone.