We enjoy taking vacations, but sometimes our vacations are a little different from most people’s.  A wonderful thing to do with a vacation is to spend time, not alone on the beach getting sunburnt, but with the people we want to know better, especially our family.  Most of our vacations are educational is some way.  Oh, and we often like to get some excercise in while we’re at it.  So, last Friday, Dad and the oldest ones and some friends went to the White Mountains of NH to do some hiking.  We did the Falling Waters Trail loop over Mounts Little Haystack, Lincoln and Lafayette – a total of 14.3 km (8.9 miles) with an elevation change of 3,900 ft.  The highest point in this trail is Mount Lafayette, with an elevation of 5,260 feet.

We started at the Old Bridle Path and Falling Waters trail head at 9:30.

Starting up the Falling Waters Trail, we discovered a simply beautiful path crisscrossed by cascading streams and rivulets.

More photos from the Falling Waters Trail: I guess they named it right!

“… Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come … for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water …”  — Isaiah 35:4-7

Beautiful scenery has a way of attracting …

Photographers!

After reaching the summit of Little Haystack and eating lunch, we continued along the Franconia Ridge.

We had a good time sharing together in spite of severe leg cramps part way around which hindered one member of our party from walking for quite some time.

Near the summit of Mount Lincoln, we found New Hampshire a new “Old Man of the Mountain”.

This Old Man seems a little younger than the old Old Man, and only works if you get the right angle.

Finally, we got down to the Greenleaf Hut, where we rested for a while and replenished our water.

This trip reminds me of the hymn translated and written by Stewart K. Hine, “How Great Thou Art”.

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

(Refrain)

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

(Refrain)

When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!