tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-219458732012-01-03T20:32:52.915-05:00(Still wandering...)Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.comBlogger3081100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-28681571569308848012012-01-03T20:32:00.001-05:002012-01-03T20:32:52.956-05:00

Help Preserve Rocky Fork, a photo by Unstrung Photo on Flickr.Via Flickr:I'm reposting this mosaic to encourage folks to vote for David Ramseyas Budweiser's Conservationist Of The Year! If he wins the vote, $50,000 will go toward the preservation of Rocky Fork. Vote Today!More info on Rocky Fork here.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-6013557679262967862011-12-30T23:26:00.001-05:002011-12-30T23:26:51.795-05:00

Lion's mane, a photo by Unstrung Photo on Flickr.Lion's mane

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-7827600274678104402011-12-30T23:14:00.001-05:002011-12-30T23:14:06.839-05:00

Not quite sure what's going on here.., a photo by Unstrung Photo on Flickr.Not quite sure what's going on here..

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-68781087736370098042011-08-03T22:34:00.005-05:002011-08-03T22:48:08.227-05:00

Captured from the Appalachian Trail at Beauty Spot Bald, Unaka Mtn(a very short glimpse)

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-69621845577722742412010-09-13T22:35:00.001-05:002010-09-13T22:35:40.204-05:00

Crescent Moon and VenusOriginally uploaded by Unstrung Photo

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-31796129330798334262009-06-01T01:52:00.001-05:002009-06-01T01:52:26.911-05:00

StoneflyOriginally uploaded by Unstrung PhotoPlecoptera"All species of Plecoptera are intolerant of water pollution and their presence in a stream or still water is usually an indicator of good or excellent water quality."en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonefly

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-91225660179273916802009-05-31T12:56:00.003-05:002009-05-31T13:33:52.463-05:00

Click for larger versions

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-48226621405094346002009-05-13T23:04:00.002-05:002009-05-13T23:10:28.327-05:00

snail!Originally uploaded by Unstrung Photo "And seeing the snail, which everywhere doth roam, Carrying his own house still, still is at home, Follow--for he is easy paced--this snail, Be thine own palace, or the world's thy jail." -John Donne (1572-1631)I love seeing the snails out on the trail in early spring. You sometimes have to really watch your step. I've sometimes heard a

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-65853804746593383062009-02-26T01:33:00.006-05:002009-02-26T01:52:02.985-05:00

The second image was auto-contrasted to make the comet more visible (click to embiggen and see annotations).This is a 13 second video made from the two images.There are lots of images ans video out there. This is the most astounding I've come across. You can briefly see the dust filaments coming off Lulin. The original is courtesy Space Weather dot com and Filipe Alves of Portugal.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-68918282998174108312009-02-07T17:41:00.010-05:002011-08-03T23:00:21.600-05:00

Sirius (Alpha Canis Majoris) is the brightest star in the sky after the sun, with a visual apparent magnitude of −1.46. It is actually a two star system made up of Sirius A and Sirius B (or the "pup"). Although Sirius A is 10,000 times more luminous than it's companion, Sirius B was once the brighter of the two. Part of the reason for it's brightness is the Sirius system's proximity to the

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-29159850717376246722009-02-07T16:12:00.007-05:002009-02-07T18:51:23.335-05:00

If you click the magnifying glass to zoom in, you can see white house cliff just above the forward ridge of Flint mountain.You can also click and drag on the view to move it around or click on the arrows to move on down I-26.Here are a few other views of my own taking :)

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-51354612634086319602009-02-04T19:06:00.002-05:002009-02-04T19:25:56.149-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-81966761786542563922009-02-03T20:02:00.003-05:002009-02-03T20:13:18.209-05:00

I took this in the parking lot after work while it was still coming down.forecast from the weather underground: Tonight Snow showers. Brisk. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Lows 13 to 16. West winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent. Wind chill readings 5 below to 10 above zero.Brrr! I took tomorrow off though. Hopefully I will get some good snow pictures: Wednesday

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-28224228068222208192009-02-02T21:18:00.006-05:002009-02-02T21:36:21.560-05:00

To the native Americans the full moon of February was known as the snow moon. According to English tradition it later became known as the wolf moon. So far this year it seems snow moon would be more appropriate!I took this shot Saturday night from my friend Kevin's back yard in Erwin. It worked out great. Using my uncle's 55-200 lens allows me to zoom in for much more detail.It may seem sideways

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-17780029584114227912008-12-16T20:05:00.001-05:002008-12-16T20:05:00.985-05:00

Done Deal!Originally uploaded by Unstrung PhotoGood news! The Rocky Fork watershed has been purchased! On Monday the U.S. Forest Service bought 2,237 acres for $8.4 million, and the Conservation Fund bought the remaining 7,387 acres for $31.6 million. The Conservation Fund's part of the purchase is made with the intent of holding it until the money can be raised to transfer it to state

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-45723741230090248812008-12-04T11:25:00.001-05:002008-12-04T11:25:53.132-05:00

Order Yours Today!Originally uploaded by Unstrung Photo

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-66118057499151980892008-10-04T18:15:00.010-05:002008-10-04T19:11:57.999-05:00

The truck and the scootersThe 'C' Turtle Long Beach"Beach Berm" Flower Oak Island Lighthouse and Old Baldy

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-39198591620378491902008-09-19T14:14:00.007-05:002011-08-03T23:04:08.073-05:00

If so, then it's Ilex verticillata Family: Aquifoliaceae

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-33783283487911769522008-09-19T14:14:00.000-05:002008-09-19T14:17:59.943-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-88450967890607839252008-09-14T18:00:00.001-05:002008-09-14T18:00:52.875-05:00

Spider? What spider? I don't see any...oh.Originally uploaded by Unstrung PhotoI imagine this spider's bright yellow color might not be seen at all by a visiting insect.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-16057376706617429432008-09-14T17:34:00.001-05:002008-09-14T17:34:37.641-05:00

Lying in WaitOriginally uploaded by Unstrung PhotoSpider patiently waiting.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-52029783721627433282008-08-31T21:51:00.003-05:002008-08-31T22:02:37.915-05:00

A few young chanterelles. These were the best I found. The only bigger ones tougher, and worm-eaten. Saw many more that were too far gone for me to even think about picking. Note to self: go earlier next year.I saw a bunch of these. I haven't looked them up yet. There were more than I had seen before.The final haul. It was rather pitiful. I went ahead and grabbed the few young puffballs to add a

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-67581323569680814662008-08-31T21:47:00.001-05:002008-08-31T21:49:29.133-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-82278216930804392102008-07-09T19:51:00.009-05:002008-07-10T00:09:08.495-05:00

Rhododendron "(from the Greek: rhodos, "rose", and dendron, "tree") is a genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. It is a large genus with over 1000 species and most have showy flower displays..."Rhododendron maximum, also called Great Rhododendron, Great Laurel, Rose Bay, American Rhododendron or Big Rhododendron, is a species of Rhododendron native to eastern North America, from Nova

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-36039871832625820712008-06-27T22:52:00.003-05:002008-07-10T00:12:50.340-05:00

David Ramsey talks about the potential of the 10,000 acre Rocky Fork track. The "number one land acquisition priority of the U.S. Forest Service in the entire United States" and "the largest remaining unprotected tract of land left in the Eastern United States".Watch Video | digg story

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-85877769342562130112008-05-29T22:59:00.006-05:002008-07-10T00:00:45.992-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-19282145269712378292008-05-25T02:31:00.004-05:002008-07-10T00:01:44.795-05:00

Vote for a chance for SAHC to win a $3,000 grant for Rocky Fork In an effort to raise awareness of the great projects that land trusts are doing across the state in support of Land Trust Day, the Great Outdoor Provision Company has launched a Land Trust Day competition. They are highlighting seven projects from seven different land trusts that are in need of protection. Patagonia has agreed to

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-69447118782978302852008-05-24T00:12:00.006-05:002008-07-09T23:59:33.174-05:00

Newt iiiOriginally uploaded by UnakaNotophthalmus viridescens (Salimandridae)This is the eft stage.Etymology from Wikipedia: The oldest form of the name is eft, which is still used for newly metamorphosed juveniles, but according to the Oxford English Dictionary it changed for unknown reasons first to euft and then to ewt. For some time it remained as an ewt, but the "n" from the indefinite

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-48080805282615049492008-05-23T23:08:00.008-05:002008-07-09T23:57:38.116-05:00

I have decided to change the title of my blog. Though, "not all who wander are lost..." seems appropriate, the quote belongs to Tolkien and I need to find something else. The current title is temporary until I can decide on a new one.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-34863420575447732002008-05-05T22:00:00.007-05:002008-05-18T23:46:01.087-05:00

This is a fantastic if not well-known waterfall near Bristol, TN/Va. It's a short hike from the end of Abrams Falls Rd to the main waterfall, but very narrow and dangerous at times. More info and a map can be found here. I believe the stream must be Abrams Creek, but I can't find a name. While looking for more info, I came across this poster of "Chief Benje Abrams Falls" at

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-87570165669485467152008-05-05T12:39:00.004-05:002008-07-10T00:10:37.358-05:00

When I moved around the edge of the cliff above Abrams Falls to get a closer look at some Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) this American Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) flew out from a small cave about twenty feet from me.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-71494097247595502532008-05-05T12:34:00.001-05:002008-05-05T12:37:35.194-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-41648920225080662242008-05-05T12:24:00.006-05:002008-05-05T12:33:38.490-05:00

The first three are maidenhair ferns (Adiantum pedatum) and the last is a christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-9420014216328015612008-05-04T21:27:00.001-05:002008-05-04T21:32:53.071-05:00

Battus philenor

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-7807426569382094672008-04-29T22:21:00.001-05:002008-05-04T19:18:35.335-05:00

Also on the Porter Creek trail. Came across some "Little brown jugs".Hexastylis arifolia var. ruthii

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-6337584901521677222008-04-29T22:01:00.000-05:002008-04-29T22:01:09.735-05:00

Iris verna along the Porter Creek Trail. GSM

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-26099454127475158372008-04-29T00:17:00.003-05:002008-07-10T00:06:04.112-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-10312865938353550752008-04-28T00:00:00.000-05:002008-04-28T00:00:30.614-05:00

Limestone Cove today.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-64643026239920537332008-04-27T12:36:00.003-05:002008-07-10T00:13:25.958-05:00

Tracks in the snow on Beauty Spot - 04.14.08

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-36066543904872112492008-04-27T12:27:00.003-05:002008-07-10T00:10:00.749-05:00

A new fern frond in Rocky Fork.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-61642833862569185722008-04-27T12:23:00.002-05:002008-07-10T00:07:12.524-05:00

Tiarella cordifolia

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-64899556118521824992008-04-27T12:14:00.003-05:002008-07-10T00:07:46.139-05:00

(Trillium erectum white variety)

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-58491180542555848572008-04-24T23:54:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:54:52.142-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-36927084042643718912008-04-24T23:42:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:42:49.170-05:00

...over Deep Gap, Unaka Mountian.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-65468691251390265472008-04-24T23:38:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:38:52.242-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-46345627655163120782008-04-24T23:34:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:34:24.949-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-65658963386144567302008-04-24T23:31:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:31:12.793-05:00

on Rocky Fork

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-21011103106350852552008-04-24T23:28:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:28:19.387-05:00

4/6/2008

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-85714369892785362822008-04-24T23:25:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:25:54.306-05:00

about twenty to thirty miles downstream from here...

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-85621780111598588352008-04-24T23:10:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:10:54.670-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-65099504019011328672008-04-24T23:07:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:07:45.957-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-25629971092312269652008-04-24T23:05:00.000-05:002008-04-24T23:05:38.157-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-39818376407461258522008-04-08T18:43:00.000-05:002008-04-08T18:43:53.767-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-89548642464879649752008-04-03T21:26:00.002-05:002008-04-03T21:45:00.997-05:00

Self PortraitI've never had a drink with blue cheese stuffed olives in it. And I don't think I want to.Watching the fight.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-78635554020328757822008-04-03T01:21:00.006-05:002008-07-10T00:14:57.216-05:00

(Hexastylis shuttleworthii)I'll have to dig around in the leaves the next time I see one of these. They have a structure very similar to the little brown jug or Wild Ginger

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-4505392300260445182008-03-31T01:57:00.002-05:002008-03-31T02:02:38.562-05:00

As in previous years a truck sits here ready to load up more logs.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-89950033642762947892008-03-31T01:44:00.004-05:002008-03-31T02:03:48.612-05:00

Just across from a logging landing area at the "baptism hole". The piled up gravel once bridged the stream to allow large logging trucks to cross.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-11735822758569584062008-03-31T01:42:00.002-05:002008-03-31T01:43:40.649-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-91499114006010187572008-03-31T01:34:00.006-05:002008-03-31T02:06:30.517-05:00

A friend of mine once had a set of word magnets for making poems, sentences or haiku with. At one point someone made the phrase "dig my moss" and it stayed up there for a long time. Random and kinda silly, and yet, I totally "dig" moss. I always enjoy seeing it along the trail. It comes in such fantastic shades of green and when I am tired it beckons with the appearance of a ready made bed...

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-17020502907476681792008-02-25T01:15:00.001-05:002008-02-25T01:15:55.074-05:00

Jones Falls IX Originally uploaded by Unaka

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-16578738395808030192008-02-25T01:11:00.001-05:002008-02-25T01:11:12.633-05:00

Jones Falls II Originally uploaded by Unaka WGS8436.20277 -81.982536° 12.166'N 81° 58.95'W36° 12' 10"N 81° 58' 57"W17S 411676E 4006887N

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-43581972810996201652008-02-25T00:58:00.004-05:002008-04-29T22:25:46.310-05:00

EpochOriginally uploaded by Unaka When I visited Jones Falls yesterday, the word 'Epoch' kept came to mind. A gigantic boulder sits at the base of the upper falls where it fell at some point in the past. It seems to have the weight of geologic time.Though it must have happened many many years ago, the stone looks as though it could have fallen recently. I wondered if anyone heard the

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-74401321242209448682008-02-25T00:33:00.002-05:002008-02-25T00:35:23.590-05:00

2.23.08

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-42971162698537552542008-02-23T20:31:00.010-05:002008-07-10T00:03:34.733-05:00

Evidence of HWA infestation, Sill Branch.HWA graphic borrowed from here.It seems whenever hiking through a hemlock stand anymore one sees evidence of this infestation. It was so bad near Sill Branch Falls I mistook the occasional bits of white fluff falling through the air to be snow at first.This from Save Our Hemlocks:Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adeleges tsugae) is native to Asia where it is not a

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-39250402628297380732008-02-23T20:23:00.002-05:002008-02-23T20:28:11.533-05:00

02.18.08    

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-23943460253384991962008-02-22T19:39:00.008-05:002008-02-22T20:01:38.905-05:00

Moses Cone State ParkBlowing Rock, NC 01.21.08

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-86174411797747419572007-05-06T15:00:00.001-05:002007-05-06T15:01:48.826-05:00

AT Near Roan High Knob Originally uploaded by Unaka. The Friends of Roan Mountain Spring Naturalist Rally took place this weekend. Friday night's speaker was Dr. Pete Lemiszki, Chief Geologist, Knoxville Office, for the State of Tennessee. His talk was on the bedrock geology of Roan Mountain. A fascinating story of 1.3 billion years of geological history. With his information still

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-51349722451471927222007-05-06T14:37:00.001-05:002007-05-06T14:41:21.403-05:00

still in the clouds ii Originally uploaded by Unaka. words and phrases for the weekend:Cranberry GneissBeech GraniteBakersville GabbroMigmatiteMylonite and Mylonitic Cranberry Gneiss

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-41784589765129772007-05-02T19:28:00.001-05:002007-05-02T19:28:45.340-05:00

Head in The Clouds Originally uploaded by Unaka. I missed the JC Hikers this last Saturday, but I could see the ridge they were hiking on...

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-50705561125507728192007-03-21T18:03:00.000-05:002007-04-15T20:49:59.419-05:00

The JC Hikers hiked the Iron Furnace Trail in the Cherokee National Forest (#109). This is a moderate 6 mile hike round trip. The trailhead starts in the Clarks Creek area off of Highway 107 at the ruins of the old Clarksville Iron Furnace. It follows the old wagon road over into Bumpas Cove where the iron for the furnace was mined. Ironically less than a week before I was scheduled to lead this

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-20679058217512122732007-03-13T14:40:00.000-05:002007-03-16T19:41:48.422-05:00

Went for a walk with the JC Hikers in Steele Creek park in Bristol on 3/10. Steele Creek is the third largest municipal park in the state of Tennessee and contains over 2000 acres of forested land. It was a very warm day for early March with a considerable amount of climbing. We followed the Lake trail to the Fox Glen Trail then the Power line trail and Sinks trails around to the nature center on

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-47028172071247525192007-01-28T14:59:00.000-05:002007-01-28T22:27:59.824-05:00

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-80502726081240916112007-01-25T18:17:00.000-05:002007-01-26T01:10:02.623-05:00

The Oldtimers hiked on the AT recently from Iron Mountain Gap to Low Gap. After breakfast at Clarence's, mom, Susan, Debi, and I rode with CB up to the gap while Howard, Lisa, and Mike followed Bill to Red Fork Rd to leave a shuttle. While waiting on the other hikers at Iron Mountain Gap we saw several Ravens (or possibly the same one several times). The 'whoosh-whoosh' of their wings could also

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-18885980672430864742007-01-17T18:01:00.000-05:002007-01-21T19:56:46.389-05:00

I hiked for the first time with the Oldtimers recently. After breakfast at Clarence's in Unicoi we drove to Rock Creek Park and climbed up the Rattlesnake ridge trail to the Unaka Mountain overlook and back. This is about a ten-mile hike and pretty strenuous.I love this trail though and have hiked it many times. This time of year is especially beautiful. As one climbs the ridge up to nearly a

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-10480200198914067992007-01-17T17:43:00.000-05:002007-01-21T19:34:13.177-05:00

...one is drawn to the cold......water so cold, only it's motion keeps it from freezing...

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-31568609924824479512007-01-14T15:47:00.000-05:002007-01-14T16:08:24.730-05:00

The JC Hikers, Oldtimers, and Mid-Appalachain Clubs hiked Mt Rogers on New Years Day. This is a tradition to hike Mt Rogers every year, but it was my first year joining them. We hiked through the Lewis Fork Wilderness Area on the Appalachain and Pine Mountain Trails up nearly to Rhododendron Gap and back.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-33063521879132660102007-01-06T16:42:00.000-05:002007-01-13T16:18:21.141-05:00

Led a hike for the JC Hikers today. We did a 10 mile strenuous hike from Rocky Fork Rd, along the creek, up the ridge past Wilson Knob and Frozen Knob, to the lake and back.An incredible sunrise greeted me while driving through Johnson City on I-26 to meet the other hikers. The morning sunlight was flooding past Hump Mtn and through a gap...The trails in Rocky Fork are old logging roads that make

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-11532826586496016062007-01-05T23:13:00.000-05:002007-01-05T23:26:53.851-05:00

Hiked with the JC Hikers on Bays Moutain on 12/30. We hiked around the reservoir, past the firetower,past the antennas,and returned on the azalea trail.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-86776337233523418802007-01-05T23:05:00.000-05:002007-01-05T23:11:29.330-05:00

Mom said, "the devils beatin' his wife". The rain was falling, but the sun was shining. And then we saw this beautiful rainbow.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-74545585951887946762006-12-10T11:50:00.000-05:002006-12-10T12:39:11.097-05:00

I hiked with the JC Hikers yesterday in the Great Smokey Mountains. We walked on the Curry Mountain Trail, Meigs Mountain, and Meigs Creek Trails. The temperature when we started was in the mid-teens and got up into the thirties by the afternoon.This bear print was spotted in the snow beside the Curry Mountain Trail.Intersection of Curry Mountain Trail and Meigs Mountain TrailA short side trail

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1163990323246504492006-11-19T21:31:00.000-05:002006-11-19T21:38:43.246-05:00

Climbing the Devil's Creek Trail out of Lost Cove brought us to this open field; a wildlife plot maintained by the NC Forest Service. Turning left here onto the Bear Woods Trail we continued to ascend to Devil's Creek Gap and the AT. Then we picked up FS 278 to continue on around the other side of Flattop to reach our cars under Joe Lewis Fields.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1163989818685344142006-11-19T21:25:00.000-05:002006-11-19T21:30:18.686-05:00

We ascended from Lost Cove on the Devil's Creek and Bear Woods Trails. Several times along the trail on the north side of Flattop Mountain we crossed what I call "Devil Creeks". Boulder strewn, fern covered talus slopes where you could hear the sound of a rushing gurgling stream, but not see it.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1163988856326426142006-11-19T21:10:00.000-05:002006-11-19T21:24:01.276-05:00

As far as I know this is the only remaining house still standing in Lost Cove. Most of the old houses have been burned down. Only the chimneys and foundations remain of those.This old homesite is one of the most recently burned. The char on surrounding trees can be still be seen. There is an old international truck covered in bullet holes with nothing remaining of its engine but the block.There

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1163988538031792582006-11-19T21:07:00.000-05:002006-11-19T21:09:15.166-05:00

This 'B' and the blaze mark one end of the Devil's Creek/Bear Woods Trail.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1163988269768040392006-11-19T21:03:00.000-05:002006-11-19T21:04:29.770-05:00

A view across the Nolichuckey River Gorge from Joe Lewis Fields.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1163987719741270122006-11-19T20:51:00.000-05:002006-11-19T20:57:54.546-05:00

With the JC Hikers on our way to Lost Cove on 11/18.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1162767073903998242006-11-05T17:37:00.000-05:002006-11-05T17:51:13.930-05:00

On the other side of Cumberland Mountain, behind White Cliffs is a great cave full of sand...

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1162766147731191232006-11-05T17:28:00.000-05:002006-11-05T17:36:16.910-05:00

An impressive line of cliffs on Cumberland Mountain in Ewing Virginia.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1162765448719575672006-11-05T17:12:00.000-05:002006-11-05T17:25:12.476-05:00

Some views from the tower on Holston High Knob...

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1161724607111949212006-10-24T16:09:00.000-05:002006-10-24T16:16:47.113-05:00

About a hundred feet north of the Green Knob Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, there is a trail that leads up to a firetower on the actual Green Knob. There is nothing at the overlook to tell people about this, I just happened to be looking up information about firetowers the night before and decided to check it out. The tower is open and the view is fantastic.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1161724028055811292006-10-24T16:00:00.000-05:002006-10-24T16:08:15.786-05:00

... went for a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway on 10/22 to catch some of the color. It was pretty cloudy at times especially around the Black Mountains. Nevertheless, I was graced with some wonderful views along the way...

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1161722712692835532006-10-24T15:42:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:12.693-05:00

These pictures were taken from the I-26 overlook. Flint Mountain is the long ridge on the right. Frozen Knob and Higgens Ridge are on the left.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1161722474815481392006-10-24T15:35:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:42:28.443-05:00

Though the trees obscure the view, I-26 can be seen here winding down from Sam's Gap at the upper right to the Flag Pond Exit at the lower left. Click on the picture for a larger view...

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1161570104839238772006-10-22T21:11:00.000-05:002006-10-22T21:21:44.853-05:00

Old logging road near Frozen Knob.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1161569398066921462006-10-22T21:05:00.000-05:002006-10-22T21:09:58.066-05:00

Here are few of the more respectable trees from Rocky Fork.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1161569037324157472006-10-22T20:56:00.000-05:002006-10-22T21:03:57.326-05:00

These tracks were spotted near Frozen Knob. Some spoor was also found nearby.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1161568538693025892006-10-22T20:50:00.000-05:002006-10-22T20:55:38.710-05:00

There are many old logging roads that wind through the Rocky Fork Tract.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1160857933073220822006-10-14T15:31:00.000-05:002006-11-05T18:01:44.216-05:00

Fortunately no one got significantly wet today, though I think Debi got one foot in on the way back. It was a gorgeous day without a cloud in the sky and with the colors nearly at their peak. We were blessed with yellows, reds, and browns of every shade as we travelled through the trees along the beautiful Rocky Fork and Flint Creeks.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1160531968900216742006-10-10T20:58:00.000-05:002006-10-10T20:59:29.016-05:00

I will be leading an 8 mile moderate hike for the Johnson City Hikers in Rocky Fork on the 14th. There will be a few rock hops, with one major stream crossing. We will cross Rocky Fork Creek once on the way up and once on the way back. If anyone wishes to join us we will leave the Jonesborough Post Office at 8 AM Saturday morning. Bring a pack lunch, plenty of water and some gas money.

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21945873.post-1160531001210460452006-10-10T20:29:00.000-05:002006-10-10T20:43:21.330-05:00

From 10/09...

Lokihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14624710860003001907noreply@blogger.com0