End of Summer 2018

Garter Snake

Variegation

Tall Tulip Poplars

Weaverton Cliffs

American Goldfinch

Bald Cyprus

Green Heron

Baby Snapping Turtle

Just like that summer is over and we've begun the season of fall. Here are a few photos from the summer, taken mostly on various day trips and hikes around the area. It's been a very wet summer around here. I'm hoping for some spectacular fall color. We'll have to wait and see. So far it's been one of the most dreary September's I can remember. Most days have been cloudy with rain and or showers and storms. We've yet to have one of those bright clear September days that one usually expects to see around here. Despite the weather, there is always plenty to see out there...

Mushroom Madness (Green Ridge Mountains)

When I used to live in Northern California, I loved the beginning of mushroom season. Usually it started after the first rainfall of the rainy season which seemed to begin in October or November. Then, the redwood forest would take on an otherworldly appearance with frequent rain, fog and mist, the rivers would begin to replenish their water supply, and if lucky, one might spot the salmon fighting their way upstream to spawn. A variety of mushrooms and colors would become visible on the forest floor. It's a time of year that if experienced, stamps a mark on your heart and soul forever.

Here's one final series of photos from my trip to West Virginia in the beginning of August. I stopped by the Green Ridge Mountains on my way home on a soggy, warm summer morning. Although the area is frequented by folks wishing to camp, hunt, or ride ATV's on the dirt roads through the mountains, the people one encounters are few and far between. The forests there have been logged several times over, so the trees seem to be modest in size and age. Even so, I was surprised, and in fact felt a little giddy, when I saw all of the mushrooms popping out of the forest floor when I visited. I only inspected a small area, but hadn't seen a variety of mushrooms like this since my Northern California days. I've never really noticed before, but August may be the month for mushrooms in Maryland. It's been a wet summer overall, but I'll have to keep my eyes open next summer when the time arrives again...

Swallow Falls, Maryland

Swallow Falls

Muddy Creek Falls

Old growth hemlocks and white pines

While returning from West Virginia three weeks ago, I decided to stop by Swallow Falls State Park in the far western portion of the state of Maryland. It had been probably thirty years since I last visited this park. I was a kid back then, but the memories were still fairly fresh and the park looked just as I remembered. The one thing I didn't remember though was the fantastic old growth hemlock and white pine forest that is one of the park's highlights.

I arrived later in the afternoon and was happy that there were campsites available. After setting up camp I took a hike around the forest and visited the falls. The forest was fantastic, reminded me of a miniature redwood forest. It was busy though, as people were walking to and returning from the falls/ swimming areas. There also was a lot of tree damage, which I found out was a result of Hurricane Sandy back in 2012. The park received over two feet of wet snow back then and many of the trees simply snapped in half or lost their tops due to the winds and heavy snow. Regardless, it was a real treat to see such old, mature hemlock trees, a site that will become rarer and rarer in coming years as the wooly algedid parasite continues to kill off the remaining hemlock forests.

After exploring a few parts of the park, I called it a day and had a fairly good restful sleep in my tent. The next morning, I decided to wake up early and see if I could experience the forest with less crowds. This is something I would recommend to other visitors. I woke up around sunrise and had a nice peaceful hike through the forest and didn't see anybody, and was able to soak in the falls and trees a little better...

Seneca Rocks, West Virginia

While Traveling and camping in West Virginia three weeks ago, I stopped by Seneca Rocks, a place I haven't seen in 20 years. I almost thought I was back west again. The rocks are a popular rock climbing destination, and there is a trail that switchbacks about a mile and a half up to an observation deck near the top. It was a perfect summer's day when I did the hike. The hike to the top reminded me a lot of many west facing slopes along the Appalachian Trail. Here's more info on the site...

Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia

Some old time musicians jamming in Clifftop, West Virginia.

Three weeks ago I went to my first Clifftop West Virginia old time music festival. West Virginia is a state that has always been a black hole in my consciousness. Even though I've lived practically right next door for most of my life, and even lived in West Virginia (on the border) for a year in my life right after college, I know very little about the state. The last time I camped in West Virginia was my freshman year in college. That trip in some ways set the course in my life. I knew I wanted to be outside as much as possible then, and fell in love with camping and backpacking. Going to the Clifftop music festival was going to be a good reason to get reacquainted with the place. Once there, I became very, very pleased.

I stayed at the music festival only two days. It's a week long event that occurs every year in August. The music was fantastic. However, it's really hard for me to stay put on the road or on the trail. I was itching to do some exploring. Monogahela National Forest was on my radar. I was blown away by the beauty of the place and intrigued by the towns and farms I passed. It was like stepping back in time. I will most definitely be back...