Hike #5 - Marys Peak

It is noted for dizzying views of the sprawling valley and high Cascade Mountains too, so put on your hiking boots and don’t forget the camera, you are about to ascend the trail to the mountain called Marys Peak. At 4,097 feet, Marys Peak is the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range. On clear days you will have spectacular views of the Willamette Valley, the Cascades, the Coast Range, and even a distant view of the Pacific Ocean. Four different trails ascend this mountain, ranging from easy paths to long, hard climbs.

Katrena and I decided to take a middle path for a hike of about 3 miles each way, and we are sure glad we did as the hike was amazing. We chose the East Ridge Trail that connected to the Summit Loop. We started out at an elevation of 2560 and ascending to 4297 feet in approximately 3-1/2 miles. We had stunning views, large stands of Douglas Fir and Noble Fir, and several vegetation zones.

As one of 75,000 visitors that will enjoy recreating at Mars Peak this year, this hike may just steal your heart along the way, it did mine. It is something special on a day when soggy skies clear and sun beams light up a scene that’s filled with so much vibrant color from crimson paintbrush to brilliant blue larkspur or stunning yellow wallflowers. It has been designated as a Botanical Special Interest Area. Many wildflower species are at your side as you explore the lush meadows, dense Noble Fir forests and the many hiking trails that link all of it together.

In fact, more than twelve miles of trails crisscross Marys Peak, nearly all of them connected to the spacious parking area where many folks begin their adventures. The most popular trail is the mile-long Summit Trail that leads you up a moderate grade. Soon, you’re face to face with an amazing scene: a bird’s eye view of the grand Willamette Valley. Even a hazy day cannot diminish the stunning views you will see from the summit of the many Cascade Mountain peaks: Rainer, St Helens, Adams, Hood, Jefferson, and the Three Sisters are easily picked out against the eastern skyline. While to the west, Newport’s beaches are often seen with the breaking surf line just 26 miles away, but not today. It is a glorious view, no doubt about that – but all these high Cascade Mountain peaks may leave you wondering, what about the namesake: Marys Peak. Well, who was Mary you might ask?

 The mountain’s Indian name, Chateemanwi (“place where spirits dwell”), survives in the name for nearby Chintimini Creek. Numerous Marys have been credited for the peak’s mysterious English name. Indian legend offers an explanation for the summit’s unusual alpine wildflowers and noble fir forest—rare in the Coast Range. Apparently the trickster god Coyote stole Panther’s wife, and Panther retaliated by kidnapping Coyote’s son. In his anger, Coyote dammed the Willamette and flooded all but this peak’s summit, which he spared as a refuge for plants and animals. Botanists see a thread of truth in the tale. Oregon’s climate has warmed over the past 6000 years, forcing once-common Ice Age species to retreat to this mountaintop “island.”

Some anecdotal stories suggest an Indian legend and linkage – for this place had been called a “house or home of spirits” by ancient peoples. Other tales suggest a pioneer lineage a century old or longer when pioneers first settled the Oregon country. There is a nearby town site of Marysville and a nearby Mary’s River, but the fact is no one really knows and so the history behind the naming of Marys Peak remains a mystery.

Book #4 - Praying Backwards

Bryan Chapell's book is a wonderful addition to the subject of prayer. Praying Backwards is a simple, yet profound work that describes the foundation for a strong prayer life. The author explores the motivation, practice, and pitfalls of prayer in a clear and easy to read way. What a powerful book "Praying Backwards" is. I must admit that I had never really given deep thought to why we close our prayers with "in Jesus' name", other than that it is an acknowledgment that he intercedes for us. Dr. Chapell asserts that "to do anything in the Lord's name means to do it for his purposes. When we pray in Jesus' name, we are petitioning God to bring glory to Jesus and we are asking for his will to be done in everything so that he will be honored above all....by appealing to Jesus' name, we surrender our prayers to his purposes." His premise is that we need to test the motives of our hearts before we pray and ensure that we are praying prayers that honor Him, rather than just tacking "in Jesus' name" onto the ends of our prayer almost as a postscript. Instead of tacking on "In Jesus's Name" to the end of our prayers, Chapell argues that we should begin praying in his name – that is to say, praying with his priorities, will, and glory as our ultimate aim. Instead of praying our wishes or prayers that are self-centered, we should have the ultimate aim of hallowing God's name in the earth. God's will is not always apparent yet that is part of the praying process which changes us as we persistently pray, expecting Him to act on our behalf as He glorifies Himself .

“The message of this book is to put first in our hearts what those words are supposed to mean: 'I offer this prayer for Jesus' sake.' When Jesus' priorities come first, our prayers will change. They will be less self-oriented, more Christ-directed, more blessed, and ultimately most satisfying to our hearts." Chapell patiently exposes our false preconceptions and turns our eyes to Jesus, our Intercessor. God always answers prayers in one of four ways: yes, no, not yet, or immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

My finite, fallible will cannot devise the best course for the universe. Still, I pray because I believe the Holy Spirit works in ways I cannot comprehend. He forms my prayers into God's beautiful design for all things. The Holy Spirit uses fallible prayers offered in faith to accomplish God's perfect will. The Holy Spirit turns our prayers inside out, upside down, and backwards. By his work in us, not only do we seek Jesus' priorities above our own, but we actually want to seek them. Not only does the Spirit use his power to fulfill our prayers in accord with God's will, but he grants us love for Christ that makes us want what God wills.

The chapters build on each other, and each one is even better than the one before. Each chapter ends with a "key thought" – a summary of the key concepts in that chapter – and an example prayer that incorporates the cumulative ideas presented thus far. I found this incredibly helpful. There are also study questions for each chapter at the end of the book that would make this book great for a group study. If you're looking for a thoroughly biblical, incredibly encouraging book on prayer, look no further!

If you want to learn to: Pray in Jesus' Name. Pray in Jesus' Way. Pray without Doubting. Pray in the Spirit. Pray Boldly. Pray Expectantly. Pray Persistently. Pray in God's Will. Pray in God's Wisdom. Pray Forward, I highly, highly recommend this book to anybody who wants to better their prayer life.