Shabbat Hikes!
During the 2009 and 2010 summer seasons, I led a series of Shabbat hikes for my members and anyone else who wished to attend. These hikes proved very popular and will therefore, G-d willing, continue to be a part of my summer program.
We would hike an easy-to-moderate trail of about an hour-and-a-half in and out. At mid-hike, we would pause to share a brief Shabbat morning (or Havdallah) service. The premise is that G-d can be worshipped al fresco, amid His creation, as well as in a purpose-built sanctuary. I've found that for some, being outdoors 'works' for them in the way that the temple cannot. For me, it's not either-or; I find worship possible in either setting!
Being in Colorado Springs, we of course had to begin our hiking season in Garden of the Gods. Here, several members of the group in front of the Siamese Twins formation.
This was an early-summer hike in Ute Valley Park. As you can see, it was none too warm that day!
I schlep my ukelele along for singing Shabbat songs! (Okay, it's not that big a thing to schlep!)
By the time we went on THIS hike, on Mt. Cutler trail in Cheyene Canyon Park, summer was starting to heat up! As you can see, these hikes are easy enough for young children, puppy dogs and even overweight rabbis!
On a recent hike, we conducted a service at Monument Rock...awesome!
Every hike seems to offer a different 'flavor,' a construct of the personalities in the group and the place where we're hiking.
By the time we hiked in Red Rock Canyon in Colorado Springs, word was getting out about how much fun we were having.
From Red Rock Ridge Trail, this is a view of the old quarry.
Later, we climbed into the quarry to hold our service!
On one of our 2010 hikes, we held our service on the deck of the home of one of our member families, who live in Green Mountain Falls.
Clara relaxing on the deck.
Afterward, we hiked to the falls that give the town its name.
By the end of the summer of 2010, I felt confident in my group's abilities to take them up to Pulpit Rock, a promentory that towers over Colorado Springs. They were real troopers! (Okay, there was a little whining at the last push to get up...and then there was that rattlesnake...)
The 2011 hiking season is off to a start! Okay, this isn't our first hike this year, and since my tenure at Temple Beit Torah is coming to a close, we're not going to have an 'official' temple hiking season. But it was Shabbat (April 30, 2011), and it was a hike! Here Clara and I are taking a break from a 6.5 mile hike through Waldo Canyon (west of Colorado Springs) with Pikes Peak in the background.
After all these years in Colorado Springs, this year (2011) we decided to finally climb the Manitou Incline. I know, the sign says 'Barr Trail'; the Barr (which goes up Pikes Peak) and the Manitou Incline start from the same place.
Here we are, about the start scaling the Incline, which is an old cog railway bed.
And here are Clara and Sharon Stone at the top!
We also recently enjoyed a hike at Farrish Recreation Area, up in the Rampart Range and owned by the Air Force Academy.