Using "perimeter security" technology to warn drivers of deer and elk near the road.
I am guessing that this is US 160 near Bayfield — anyone know for sure?
I am guessing that this is US 160 near Bayfield — anyone know for sure?
Condition Yellow
Some thunderstorms rolled through yesterday, although we got only the splatter from the — and a very welcome cool-down from the past two weeks' weather pattern, which has been temperatures into the high 90s F (35° C), relative humidity about 5 percent, and sometimes wind.
Yesterday M. drove through a full-blown dust storm on the prairie near Pueblo—visibility ending at the hood of her Jeep, she said.
She and I went to a training for the Community Animal Rescue Team today up in the county seat. Partway through, the town's fire siren went off, and the people with handheld radios (not me, stupidly) immediately started monitoring the traffic — volunteers from that fire department calling in, the sheriff saying that he was driving out such-and-such road to see if he could spot smoke.
Then as the session was winding down, radios crackled again. I caught a place name that was close to home, and I was out of my chair. "What are they saying?"
M. was ready to go right then, so we did, even though the call was only about a minor highway matter.
Now another thunderstorm is coming — will we get rain or just the wind and lightning?
Yesterday M. drove through a full-blown dust storm on the prairie near Pueblo—visibility ending at the hood of her Jeep, she said.
She and I went to a training for the Community Animal Rescue Team today up in the county seat. Partway through, the town's fire siren went off, and the people with handheld radios (not me, stupidly) immediately started monitoring the traffic — volunteers from that fire department calling in, the sheriff saying that he was driving out such-and-such road to see if he could spot smoke.
Then as the session was winding down, radios crackled again. I caught a place name that was close to home, and I was out of my chair. "What are they saying?"
M. was ready to go right then, so we did, even though the call was only about a minor highway matter.
Now another thunderstorm is coming — will we get rain or just the wind and lightning?
6 Must-See Birds of the Smoky Mountains
The following is a guest blog by Ernie Allison:
As a lifelong bird watcher, there are many places I would recommend to a novice who wants to see more spectacular and exotic breeds. But if I were to point out a place that every American bird watcher should pilgrimage to, I’d point them to a place just in their backyards (figuratively speaking, of course): it would be the Smokies. The incredible range of elevation in the area attracts cold natured birds in the barren peaks, and birds who seek warmth can find comfort in the lush lowlands. These mountains have an unheard of diversity of birds, ranging from the common − yet marvelous nonetheless − to rarer endangered species. Here are just a few memorable breeds to watch for the next time you and your family are hiking in one of America’s greatest gift to bird watchers, the Great Smoky Mountains.
Black-capped Chickadee
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Poecile-atricapilla-001.jpg
This songbird is an adaptable and fearless type, and can be found in both warm and colder climes. That being said, they’re a year round resident of the Smokies. They’re quicker than most to learn where to find food, which is why they often linger around bird feeders. They are even bold enough to eat right out of your hand, and feeding birds is always an unforgettable experience for birdwatchers.
Red Crossbill
Source: Elaine R. Wilson, http://www.naturespicsonline.com/
As their name suggests, the Red Crossbill have a bill that crosses over at the end. This isn’t a deformity, but a clever trait with which they can pull seeds out of fruit or cones. And despite their name, they can come in a variety of striking colors; males tend to be burned orange or red and females are usually green or yellow. These birds are also year-round, typically only migrating during particularly severe cold seasons or food shortages. Keep an eye at nearby Douglas firs to find these distinctive birds.
Cerulean Warbler
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mdf
This tiny songbird is one of the most visually striking that can be found in the Smokies. Their vibrant blue colors can vary between a teal and a gray, but they’re unmistakable upon sight. They have pale blue breasts and are covered with black stripes. They favor warmer zones, and will migrate elsewhere during colder seasons. And unfortunately, they’ve recently become endangered ; they are the fastest vanishing migrant neotropical songbird.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mdf
Unlike their cerulean cousin, the Chestnut-sided Warbler is a very common specimen to the Smokies during spring and summer. While they do have vibrant yellow crowns and the namesake muddy stripes below their wings, the easiest way to find one is to listen. Their distinctive call famously sounds like: “Pleased, pleased, pleased to meet ya!”
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Source: http://www.nps.gov/bicy/forteachers/pinelands-habitat.htm
This woodpecker is the most endangered bird in all of the Smokies, and has actually become extinct in many states it formerly dwelled. This decline was so alarming that conservation efforts were made even before the Endangered Species Act came in the 70s. Fortunately, a good number of the few that remain have made the Smokies their home. They’re largely black and gray, though if you manage to look very closely, you’ll sometimes be able to find that a small red streak surrounds their black caps, which is how their name came to be.
Great Horned Owl
Source: http://www.freenaturepictures.com/owl-pictures.php
Instantly recognizable and always extraordinary, the Great Horned Owl is perhaps one of the most iconic birds of the Smokies. Their “horns” (which are truly large pointed feathers) and piercing yellow eyes lend towards the notion that they’re a species with an intense expression. They’re one of the heaviest varieties of owls in the United States, only second to the ever popular Snowy Owl. And given that they’re another adaptable variety, they’re permanent residents of the Great Smokies. And that’s good news for tourists who want to behold one of these incredible birds.
Ernie Allison is a part-time writer of nature and a full-time grandfather who has been birdwatching for decades. When he isn’t admiring birds, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, camping, and fishing.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
As a lifelong bird watcher, there are many places I would recommend to a novice who wants to see more spectacular and exotic breeds. But if I were to point out a place that every American bird watcher should pilgrimage to, I’d point them to a place just in their backyards (figuratively speaking, of course): it would be the Smokies. The incredible range of elevation in the area attracts cold natured birds in the barren peaks, and birds who seek warmth can find comfort in the lush lowlands. These mountains have an unheard of diversity of birds, ranging from the common − yet marvelous nonetheless − to rarer endangered species. Here are just a few memorable breeds to watch for the next time you and your family are hiking in one of America’s greatest gift to bird watchers, the Great Smoky Mountains.
Black-capped Chickadee
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Poecile-atricapilla-001.jpg
This songbird is an adaptable and fearless type, and can be found in both warm and colder climes. That being said, they’re a year round resident of the Smokies. They’re quicker than most to learn where to find food, which is why they often linger around bird feeders. They are even bold enough to eat right out of your hand, and feeding birds is always an unforgettable experience for birdwatchers.
Red Crossbill
Source: Elaine R. Wilson, http://www.naturespicsonline.com/
As their name suggests, the Red Crossbill have a bill that crosses over at the end. This isn’t a deformity, but a clever trait with which they can pull seeds out of fruit or cones. And despite their name, they can come in a variety of striking colors; males tend to be burned orange or red and females are usually green or yellow. These birds are also year-round, typically only migrating during particularly severe cold seasons or food shortages. Keep an eye at nearby Douglas firs to find these distinctive birds.
Cerulean Warbler
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mdf
This tiny songbird is one of the most visually striking that can be found in the Smokies. Their vibrant blue colors can vary between a teal and a gray, but they’re unmistakable upon sight. They have pale blue breasts and are covered with black stripes. They favor warmer zones, and will migrate elsewhere during colder seasons. And unfortunately, they’ve recently become endangered ; they are the fastest vanishing migrant neotropical songbird.
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mdf
Unlike their cerulean cousin, the Chestnut-sided Warbler is a very common specimen to the Smokies during spring and summer. While they do have vibrant yellow crowns and the namesake muddy stripes below their wings, the easiest way to find one is to listen. Their distinctive call famously sounds like: “Pleased, pleased, pleased to meet ya!”
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Source: http://www.nps.gov/bicy/forteachers/pinelands-habitat.htm
This woodpecker is the most endangered bird in all of the Smokies, and has actually become extinct in many states it formerly dwelled. This decline was so alarming that conservation efforts were made even before the Endangered Species Act came in the 70s. Fortunately, a good number of the few that remain have made the Smokies their home. They’re largely black and gray, though if you manage to look very closely, you’ll sometimes be able to find that a small red streak surrounds their black caps, which is how their name came to be.
Great Horned Owl
Source: http://www.freenaturepictures.com/owl-pictures.php
Instantly recognizable and always extraordinary, the Great Horned Owl is perhaps one of the most iconic birds of the Smokies. Their “horns” (which are truly large pointed feathers) and piercing yellow eyes lend towards the notion that they’re a species with an intense expression. They’re one of the heaviest varieties of owls in the United States, only second to the ever popular Snowy Owl. And given that they’re another adaptable variety, they’re permanent residents of the Great Smokies. And that’s good news for tourists who want to behold one of these incredible birds.
Ernie Allison is a part-time writer of nature and a full-time grandfather who has been birdwatching for decades. When he isn’t admiring birds, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, camping, and fishing.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Harbinger of Summer in the Smokies: Mountain Laurel
The Great Smoky Mountains Association recently published this short video highlighting the beautiful blooms of mountain laurel. There are many locations throughout the park to see them, but one of the best places is at Spence Field above Cades Cove.
Enjoy!
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Enjoy!
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Paddling Under A Supermoon
"I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'if this isn't nice, I don't know what is' " ~ Kurt Vonnegut
Paddling Under A Supermoon
"I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'if this isn't nice, I don't know what is' " ~ Kurt Vonnegut
A Step Closer to Completing the “Missing Link”
Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrated the completion of Bridge 2 on the Foothills Parkway near Wears Valley, TN with a ribbon cutting event on Monday, June 24. The completion of Bridge 2 marks a significant milestone bringing the park one step closer towards finishing the “missing link,” a 1.65-mile section of the Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley which has been under construction for many years.
Congressman John Duncan, representatives from Congressman Phil Roe and Senator Lamar Alexander, members of the Federal Highways Administration, local government and tourism officials, and government contractors joined National Park Service officials at the head of the 800-foot bridge. After the short celebration ceremony, guests were able to walk the length of the bridge to take in the panoramic views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“The Foothills Parkway provides a significant connection between a number of east Tennessee communities, two Congressional Districts, and three counties,” said Superintendent, Dale Ditmanson. “We are thankful to all of the government and tourism leaders who were able to join us for our celebration today and who have supported this important project for our park.”
The Foothills Parkway was authorized by Congress in 1944 as a scenic parkway intended to provide picturesque viewing of the Great Smoky Mountains as well as disperse traffic from the heavily used transportation corridors in East Tennessee. Two sections of the Parkway are open extending from Chilhowee, TN to Walland, TN and from Cosby, TN to I-40 and have been open to the public since 1968. The 16 miles of road between Walland, TN and Wears Valley, TN includes “the missing link” and has been partially completed, but never open to the public to use as a true parkway.
The completion of the “missing link” is currently underway as a “multiple bridges project” funded through Title 23, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Federal Lands Transportation Program, and multiple Federal Highways Appropriations awarded at $48,438,000. The final stage of the project will complete the paving and other miscellaneous work needed to open the entire 16 miles of Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley, but remains unfunded at this time. The park aims to have the final paving project completed by the Centennial of the National Park Service in 2016.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Congressman John Duncan, representatives from Congressman Phil Roe and Senator Lamar Alexander, members of the Federal Highways Administration, local government and tourism officials, and government contractors joined National Park Service officials at the head of the 800-foot bridge. After the short celebration ceremony, guests were able to walk the length of the bridge to take in the panoramic views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“The Foothills Parkway provides a significant connection between a number of east Tennessee communities, two Congressional Districts, and three counties,” said Superintendent, Dale Ditmanson. “We are thankful to all of the government and tourism leaders who were able to join us for our celebration today and who have supported this important project for our park.”
The Foothills Parkway was authorized by Congress in 1944 as a scenic parkway intended to provide picturesque viewing of the Great Smoky Mountains as well as disperse traffic from the heavily used transportation corridors in East Tennessee. Two sections of the Parkway are open extending from Chilhowee, TN to Walland, TN and from Cosby, TN to I-40 and have been open to the public since 1968. The 16 miles of road between Walland, TN and Wears Valley, TN includes “the missing link” and has been partially completed, but never open to the public to use as a true parkway.
The completion of the “missing link” is currently underway as a “multiple bridges project” funded through Title 23, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Federal Lands Transportation Program, and multiple Federal Highways Appropriations awarded at $48,438,000. The final stage of the project will complete the paving and other miscellaneous work needed to open the entire 16 miles of Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley, but remains unfunded at this time. The park aims to have the final paving project completed by the Centennial of the National Park Service in 2016.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Tharz gold in them hills!
Jim Belshaw, blogger and New England self government advocate has several interesting blogs. I thought I'd take the opportunity to share his latest New England History blog post on gold in the Timbarra/Rocky River area. I understand this fascinating article was also published in the Armidale Express Extra which is not available online.
Mama Bobcat
We discovered a mama bobcat and her two kittens....the place will remain secret for now, until the babies grow up and move on.
Mama Bobcat
We discovered a mama bobcat and her two kittens....the place will remain secret for now, until the babies grow up and move on.
Smoky Mountain Rangers Deal With Multiple Serious Incidents
NPS Digest is reporting this morning that rangers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park had to respond to a string of serious incidents over a three-day period last week. Included in the report are more details on the man who was injured as a result of the tornado while hiking on the Low Gap Trail. Other incidents and rescues took place in the park as a result of that storm:
• Thursday June 13th – Rangers discovered that a 63-year-old woman was stranded on the west side of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River late in the afternoon. As rescuers assembled, a very strong storm system passed through the park. The woman and rescuers were forced to shelter in place until the storm passed. Rescue swimmers crossed the river, evaluated the woman, and effected a swiftwater rescue. Rangers were assisted by Gatlinburg Fire Department and a park fire management employee.
• Thursday June 13th – At about the same time as the above rescue was in progress, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Cosby, Tennessee. Ranger Chuck Hester responded to the Cosby campground, alerted campers of the coming storm, and evacuated 25 to 30 campers to the basement of the maintenance building located in the campground. The storm was later confirmed by the NWS as an EF-1 tornado. Once it passed, they emerged from the basement to find hundreds of trees down in the campground. Many of the occupied sites had extensive damage and at least one tent was destroyed by falling trees. Due to Hester’s quick action, there were no significant injuries reported in the campground.
• Thursday June 13th – About an hour after the above, rangers and Swain County Rescue units responded to a report of two juveniles who had overturned their tubes in the fast-moving waters of Deep Creek. District Ranger Joe Pond and Supervisory Ranger Mike Scheid responded. The younger boy was able to escape to the shoreline prior to their arrival, while the older boy continued downstream until he was able to escape to the far side of the creek. A ground team hiked through thick brush for two hours to reach the boy and bring him to safety.
• Friday, June 14th – Ranger Kris Laurie was evaluating the Cosby area trails and backcountry campsites for damage caused by the storm the previous day, when she came upon a 53-year-old man on the Low Gap Trail suffering from a compound leg fracture, spinal injury, and broken ribs. The man had been injured by a falling tree on the previous afternoon. A ground rescue team was mobilized with a saw team to clear a path for a litter. At the same time, an Army Air National Guard helicopter was requested through Haywood County and North Carolina EMA. Two park medics were able to hike past the downed trees and began providing advanced medical care while waiting for the rescue teams. An Army Blackhawk arrived on scene and lowered two rescue medics and a litter. The injured hiker was packaged and raised to the helicopter and flown to Mission Hospital in Ashville.
• Friday, June 14th – Ranger Todd Roessner made a traffic stop around 1 p.m. for possession of a controlled substance. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a large quantity of marijuana and several hundred pills. During the search, the operators attempted to conceal a small handgun under the car. Roessner observed this and immediately took the man to the ground and into custody. He was arrested and a variety of charges are pending. Special Agent Jeff Carlisle provided investigative assistance.
• Friday, June 14th – Cades Cove rangers received a report of a man lying unresponsive on the riverbank at the Townsend Wye, a popular swimming area. The 63-year-old man was found face down in the Little River and was pulled to shore by a passing kayaker. When rangers arrived, he was being attended to by Rural Metro ambulance personnel and was breathing spontaneously. The man was transported by ambulance to a waiting Lifestar helicopter and then flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. He is expected to make a full recovery.
• Friday, June 14th – Park dispatch was notified of a single motorcycle collision with injuries near Newfound Gap around 4:30 p.m. Rangers Les Kwiatkowski and Jason Marsh responded. Gatlinburg EMS transported the operator to Leconte Medical Center.
• Friday, June 14th – Dispatch was notified of a vehicle-motorcycle collision with injuries on Newfound Gap Road in the loop around 6:30 p.m. Rangers Les Kwiatkowski and Jason Marsh responded. Gatlinburg EMS transported one of the victims to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, where Lifestar airlifted the patient to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
• Saturday June 15th – Dispatch was notified of a possible car clout in progress at the Laurel Falls parking area just after 3 p.m. A handgun was among the items that were reported as stolen. Ranger Dean Rinehart spotted the suspect vehicle at the Sugarlands Visitor Center a short time later. It soon left the area and headed west on Little River Road. Supervisory Park Ranger Bobby made a high risk stop, during which the driver initially refused to show his hands or follow commands. He was taken into custody with felony charges pending. Several stolen items were retrieved from the vehicle including the stolen handgun. Special Agent Jeff Carlisle provided investigative assistance.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
• Thursday June 13th – Rangers discovered that a 63-year-old woman was stranded on the west side of the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River late in the afternoon. As rescuers assembled, a very strong storm system passed through the park. The woman and rescuers were forced to shelter in place until the storm passed. Rescue swimmers crossed the river, evaluated the woman, and effected a swiftwater rescue. Rangers were assisted by Gatlinburg Fire Department and a park fire management employee.
• Thursday June 13th – At about the same time as the above rescue was in progress, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Cosby, Tennessee. Ranger Chuck Hester responded to the Cosby campground, alerted campers of the coming storm, and evacuated 25 to 30 campers to the basement of the maintenance building located in the campground. The storm was later confirmed by the NWS as an EF-1 tornado. Once it passed, they emerged from the basement to find hundreds of trees down in the campground. Many of the occupied sites had extensive damage and at least one tent was destroyed by falling trees. Due to Hester’s quick action, there were no significant injuries reported in the campground.
• Thursday June 13th – About an hour after the above, rangers and Swain County Rescue units responded to a report of two juveniles who had overturned their tubes in the fast-moving waters of Deep Creek. District Ranger Joe Pond and Supervisory Ranger Mike Scheid responded. The younger boy was able to escape to the shoreline prior to their arrival, while the older boy continued downstream until he was able to escape to the far side of the creek. A ground team hiked through thick brush for two hours to reach the boy and bring him to safety.
• Friday, June 14th – Ranger Kris Laurie was evaluating the Cosby area trails and backcountry campsites for damage caused by the storm the previous day, when she came upon a 53-year-old man on the Low Gap Trail suffering from a compound leg fracture, spinal injury, and broken ribs. The man had been injured by a falling tree on the previous afternoon. A ground rescue team was mobilized with a saw team to clear a path for a litter. At the same time, an Army Air National Guard helicopter was requested through Haywood County and North Carolina EMA. Two park medics were able to hike past the downed trees and began providing advanced medical care while waiting for the rescue teams. An Army Blackhawk arrived on scene and lowered two rescue medics and a litter. The injured hiker was packaged and raised to the helicopter and flown to Mission Hospital in Ashville.
• Friday, June 14th – Ranger Todd Roessner made a traffic stop around 1 p.m. for possession of a controlled substance. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a large quantity of marijuana and several hundred pills. During the search, the operators attempted to conceal a small handgun under the car. Roessner observed this and immediately took the man to the ground and into custody. He was arrested and a variety of charges are pending. Special Agent Jeff Carlisle provided investigative assistance.
• Friday, June 14th – Cades Cove rangers received a report of a man lying unresponsive on the riverbank at the Townsend Wye, a popular swimming area. The 63-year-old man was found face down in the Little River and was pulled to shore by a passing kayaker. When rangers arrived, he was being attended to by Rural Metro ambulance personnel and was breathing spontaneously. The man was transported by ambulance to a waiting Lifestar helicopter and then flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. He is expected to make a full recovery.
• Friday, June 14th – Park dispatch was notified of a single motorcycle collision with injuries near Newfound Gap around 4:30 p.m. Rangers Les Kwiatkowski and Jason Marsh responded. Gatlinburg EMS transported the operator to Leconte Medical Center.
• Friday, June 14th – Dispatch was notified of a vehicle-motorcycle collision with injuries on Newfound Gap Road in the loop around 6:30 p.m. Rangers Les Kwiatkowski and Jason Marsh responded. Gatlinburg EMS transported one of the victims to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, where Lifestar airlifted the patient to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
• Saturday June 15th – Dispatch was notified of a possible car clout in progress at the Laurel Falls parking area just after 3 p.m. A handgun was among the items that were reported as stolen. Ranger Dean Rinehart spotted the suspect vehicle at the Sugarlands Visitor Center a short time later. It soon left the area and headed west on Little River Road. Supervisory Park Ranger Bobby made a high risk stop, during which the driver initially refused to show his hands or follow commands. He was taken into custody with felony charges pending. Several stolen items were retrieved from the vehicle including the stolen handgun. Special Agent Jeff Carlisle provided investigative assistance.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
As China Goes, So Goes Recycling
A video and two links — all from the Pacific Northwest — about realities in the recycling business:
"Sorting through Piles of So-Called Recycling," about the disconnects that still exist between what is labeled as recyclable or thought to be recyclable versus what actually is recyclable.
Part of the problem . . . s that the recycling symbol shows up on things that can't really be recycled or can't be sorted at the sorting facility: Disposable coffee cup lids, giant pet food bags and all kinds of plastic.
"There are no regulations on whether you can put chasing arrows on your product," he said. "Most people do it right, but there are no regulations. A lot of people, as long as they see the chasing arrows, think it’s recyclable. And you can throw it in your curbside bin, but if it’s not part of the program, we can’t possibly sort through that many things."
The other factor is economic: "Recyclers Limit Plastic Collection As China Stops Buying."
Chinese recyclers are no longer buying plastic items with the numbers 3, 6 or 7 on them, and inspectors are checking for and rejecting shipments of mixed plastics from overseas. The list of plastics China no longer wants includes disposable coffee cup lids, PVC pipes, certain kinds of clamshell containers, and garden planters with flexible walls, to name a few.
The restrictions have left recycling companies across U.S. without buyers for many of the plastics they have traditionally accepted. They don't affect curbside recycling items like milk jugs and yogurt tubs, but they are limiting which miscellaneous plastics recycling depots will accept.
I have been stuffing our torn or otherwise not-usable plastic bags into the collection bins in stores, all the while if I am being conned by food-industry campaigns that say "Look! We're recycling!" but which in reality are about heading off plastic-bag bans. Supposedly the bags are used in making composite lumber.
Upcoming: "The Good Hunt"
A teaser for The Good Hunt, a non-typical hunting documentary with nature writer, hunting writer, and bowhunter David Petersen, who lives near Durango, Colo. I don't have a release date for it yet, but I will let you know.
His latest book is Going Trad , on traditional bowhunting (no cams, sights, etc.)
Two Heads Are Better Than One
OK, maybe those don't look like heads to you, but to an archaeologist, they look like profiles of hominid skulls (I just cannot haul myself into this century and say "hominin"), even if neither was intended as such. One looks left, one looks right. One was the result of something being added, one was what remained after something was removed. One is ephemeral, one lasted for decades if not centuries.
The bottom one is not too far from the US Atlantic coast. It is the remaining bit of stucco on a partially-restored column of one of the Founding Fathers' famed plantations. Maybe it looks like Africa, home of humans who were kidnapped and sold into slavery to build and then serve in the mansion.
The top one is in the tidal zone of the US Pacific Coast, very close to Canada. It is either gull poop or herring sperm, deposited on sand deep in the intertidal zone. Maybe it will last a long time on the internet, but the actual thing is long gone by now, a stain washed away by the tide, dissolved in the ocean.
The symmetry of these two heads, the balance they achieve without having ever met, is an artifact of my own odd head working solo, recognizing a mirror image in photos taken 3,000 miles a a few months apart. Heads are like that, craving company so they can take turns using their jaws and their ears, coming up with ideas that are better than either one could invent by itself (like the idea of posting about Australopithicene-ish skull images formed from marine creature excreta and plaster palimpsests, holding a mute conversation).
Man Injured by Falling Tree on Low Gap Trail Airlifted
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Rangers were involved in the rescue of a 53-year-old male who had been struck by a falling tree during the storm event of Thursday, June 13th. Nathan Lipsom, from Cambridge, MA, was hiking along Low Gap Trail when the storm hit around 4:00 pm and sustained multiple injuries.
A Park Backcountry Ranger was patrolling the trails around Cosby and Big Creek on Friday morning to check on hikers, and trail conditions in the area, when he discovered the injured hiker at approximately 11:30 am. The ranger remained with Lipsom while the Park began organizing a rescue operation. A Park Medic was immediately dispatched to the site to further evaluate and stabilize the patient’s condition.
Due to the number of downed trees from the storm, the trails around the Cosby and Big Creek areas were impassable for the rescue team. The Park ordered a Blackhawk helicopter from the state of North Carolina with winching capabilities to extricate the patient. Lipsom was then flown to the airport in Asheville, NC, and transported by ground to Mission Hospital.
A National Weather Service crew has confirmed an EF-1 tornado in the Cosby area during the June 13th storm.
Right now the Gabes Mountain Trail and Snake Den Ridge Trail in Cosby, and the Baxter Creek Trail and the Big Creek Trail in Big Creek remain closed due to scores of downed trees. The trails are impassable by foot or horse.
In addition to trail closures, the Park has also closed “B” Loop of Cosby Campground. Backcountry Campsites 29, 34, 36, 37 and 38 are all closed as well. There's no estimate for reopening the trails or the campgrounds at this time.
For the most up to date closure information, visit the Park’s website , or call our Backcountry Office at 865-436-1297.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
A Park Backcountry Ranger was patrolling the trails around Cosby and Big Creek on Friday morning to check on hikers, and trail conditions in the area, when he discovered the injured hiker at approximately 11:30 am. The ranger remained with Lipsom while the Park began organizing a rescue operation. A Park Medic was immediately dispatched to the site to further evaluate and stabilize the patient’s condition.
Due to the number of downed trees from the storm, the trails around the Cosby and Big Creek areas were impassable for the rescue team. The Park ordered a Blackhawk helicopter from the state of North Carolina with winching capabilities to extricate the patient. Lipsom was then flown to the airport in Asheville, NC, and transported by ground to Mission Hospital.
A National Weather Service crew has confirmed an EF-1 tornado in the Cosby area during the June 13th storm.
Right now the Gabes Mountain Trail and Snake Den Ridge Trail in Cosby, and the Baxter Creek Trail and the Big Creek Trail in Big Creek remain closed due to scores of downed trees. The trails are impassable by foot or horse.
In addition to trail closures, the Park has also closed “B” Loop of Cosby Campground. Backcountry Campsites 29, 34, 36, 37 and 38 are all closed as well. There's no estimate for reopening the trails or the campgrounds at this time.
For the most up to date closure information, visit the Park’s website , or call our Backcountry Office at 865-436-1297.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
July Classic Hikes of the Smokies: Newfound Gap-Kephart Prong Excursion
On the third Tuesday of each month this year, Friends of the Smokies will be offering guided hikes as part of their Classic Hikes of the Smokies series. To celebrate the Friends’ 20th anniversary this year, each hike will honor an achievement or cause that the Friends organization has supported in Great Smoky Mountains National Park since its establishment in 1993.
The hike for next month will honor wildlife conservation:
July 16: Newfound Gap-Kephart Prong Excursion
Distance: 7.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Trails – A.T., Sweat Heifer Trail, Kephart Prong , (and shuttle)
To help support the Smokies Trails Forever program, a donation of $10 for members and $35 for non-members is requested. Non-members receive a complimentary membership to Friends of the Smokies. Members who bring a friend hike for free. You can pre-register for this through Friends of the Smokies at outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org or 828-452-0720.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
The hike for next month will honor wildlife conservation:
July 16: Newfound Gap-Kephart Prong Excursion
Distance: 7.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Trails – A.T., Sweat Heifer Trail, Kephart Prong , (and shuttle)
To help support the Smokies Trails Forever program, a donation of $10 for members and $35 for non-members is requested. Non-members receive a complimentary membership to Friends of the Smokies. Members who bring a friend hike for free. You can pre-register for this through Friends of the Smokies at outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org or 828-452-0720.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
The Devil Made Us Do It: A Fire Run
 |
| Fire apparatus heading back to the station. |
Because M. and I were back from the laundromat and it was time to do yard and garden work, I was outdoors and heard the emergency siren blow.
A small, dry thunderstorm had passed by thirty minutes earlier, with a couple of loud thunderclaps. Now there was a report of smoke a mile south of town — in other words, pretty close to this house!
I got into my Nomex fire clothes while M. walked around with binoculars outdoors. As I tossed my pack and radio into the truck, she came walking back up the driveway, shrugging her shoulders.
More on the radio from Dispatch: the smoke was near a neighbor's little ranch. I drove there. No smoke.
The brush truck caught up to me—it had left the station about six minutes after the siren, which would be hopelessly slow in a big city but is not too bad for a spread-out rural volunteer department. The pumper was on its way. At least on a Sunday afternoon there were volunteers available—twelve or thirteen turned out right away.
And we drove around: the brush truck up the canyon, some more volunteers up one national forest road, me solo up another Forest Service road, two more guys separately out away from the foothills to get a broader view. Some 23 miles later, I had seen nothing, and neither had anyone else.
We all rendezvoused at the now-closed country store where the pumper was staged. Our assistant chief mentioned that someone had told him of seeing "dust devils" or whirlwinds up on a ridge that burned last October, raising swirls of ash.
We looked at each other. Whirlwinds! That must have been it!
All this driving, looking, and sniffing plus putting away the engines took about ninety minutes, making it almost dinner time. M. was working at the kitchen counter.
"Are we having Fire House Chile?" I asked.
"How about False Alarm Fettuccine?" she replied.
We ate it on the veranda with green salad and red wine. I kept watching out across the valley, but I saw no smoke.
So far.
The Fancy Dog Who Never Walked the Walk
A wonderful little tempest in a dog dish: It was claimed that the winner of Britain's major dog show completed a 140-mile walk in order to show that show dogs were healthy dogs.
Only she did not do it. A body double was used.
Scandal! But it was for charity! How could you say such awful mean things, you awful mean blogger?
The official press release , put out by the Kennel Club in conjunction with Jilly's Jolly Jaunt, was entitled "...Crufts champion walks 130 miles for charity" .
Only she did not do it. A body double was used.
Scandal! But it was for charity! How could you say such awful mean things, you awful mean blogger?
Blog Stew, a Little Burnt
Items that might deserve longer individual posts but will not get them. . .
• Speculation about the closure of the Royal Gorge Bridge and park (now reduced to the bridge and a tollbooth, as in 1929) and its effect on southern Colorado tourism, with a telling photograph.
• Unlike Bloomberg, I would not all the American Prairie Preserve project a "land grab." Its rich backers are buying the land. But true, once the number of cattle and/or sheep ranchers falls below some critical point, there might be domino effect on the rest.
• A piece from the Nature Conservancy magazine on "water wars" in the San Luis Valley. Speaking of rich guys buying up big chunks of the West, I don't care how many monks his wife brought in, I never trusted Maurice Strong at all. This was the issue that dominated the 1990s there and led, ultimately to a new map of the valley's west side.
• Speculation about the closure of the Royal Gorge Bridge and park (now reduced to the bridge and a tollbooth, as in 1929) and its effect on southern Colorado tourism, with a telling photograph.
• Unlike Bloomberg, I would not all the American Prairie Preserve project a "land grab." Its rich backers are buying the land. But true, once the number of cattle and/or sheep ranchers falls below some critical point, there might be domino effect on the rest.
• A piece from the Nature Conservancy magazine on "water wars" in the San Luis Valley. Speaking of rich guys buying up big chunks of the West, I don't care how many monks his wife brought in, I never trusted Maurice Strong at all. This was the issue that dominated the 1990s there and led, ultimately to a new map of the valley's west side.
Fawns by the Five-Pack
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| Fisher's Travel Crate is Appropriated by Fawns |
Yesterday I posted the picture of a firefighter with a mule deer fawn during the Black Forest Fire; today I held it too. It's one of these five little mule deer. One of these was described to me as the "fawn that was on the news," and I think that it is the same one. Whatever.
One or two of these were rescued from the fire area directly. Three were already at the home of a rehabilitator who herself had to evacuate. Another transporter brought them from Colorado Springs to Penrose, where M. and I transferred them to our Jeep and brought them to Wet Mountain Wildlife.
I wonder if there will be more.
Your Guide to the “Smokies” Challenge
The following is a guest blog by FNO Founder Chris DeVore:
Update: After speaking with park officials I have learned that this program has been undergoing some revamping. Although popular amongst frequent visitors, it's a goal of the park to make this well known to new visitors as well. In addition, GSMNP has recently created a “Hike the Smokies for Families” Challenge which targets younger populations as well.
Nearly two years ago the National Park Service released a challenge for citizens visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was coined the “Hike the Smokies” Challenge. The Challenge rewards individuals based on miles hiked within the park, and sets them apart by tiers. The first tier starts at 100 miles and the tiers rise from there.
I recently left my post working with the Department of the Interior and found this challenge created a decent amount of buzz around DOI social media outlets. From most opinions I have heard, the Challenge was a rather ingenious way to get goal-oriented individuals to take in the treasures of the Smokies and share their exploits.
For those of you with plans to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I have defined a few highlights to make your climb to the first tier memorable. With over 800 miles of trails in the Park, which would you choose? Here are mine:
Must-do Day Hike: Although one of the more popular and busier options, Alum Cave is my day hike of choice. At just short of five miles, this hike has stimuli surrounding throughout the moderate climb. Whether it’s the wildlife of the area, the history, the great views, or the cave (which is technically a massive rock outcropping) there are spectacular sights here year round.
Must-do Overnight Camp: Most of my frontcountry camping trips take place with family and friends. It's a fun way to take in day hikes nearby without the extra challenge of backpacking. If I had to choose one campground close to enough activity that would keep me entertained for days, I would choose Deep Creek. Deep Creek boasts three waterfalls within a short hike, which makes this one of the prime campgrounds in the park. Relaxing fishing spots nearby don’t turn me away either.
Must-do Backpacking Hike: This is probably the most important “must-do” activity in my book, not to mention it’s also the easiest way to take a chunk out of the Challenge. Big Creek Loop, or “Big” as park frequenters call it, is the perfect way to take in sampling of what the park has to offer. At 16.5 miles it’s a great way to spend a weekend of backpacking. Whether it’s swimming holes or wildlife, there's plenty to get your attention on this trail. When you’re on a trail like this the Challenge would be the last thing on your mind.
Must-do Sightseeing: Having a background with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, I would have to choose a wildlife-centric sightseeing adventure. Dating back to the 1800’s thousands of elk naturally roamed the park. Shortly after human encroachment began on the area that is now the park, humans began to take their toll on the species, and the elk were driven to extinction. However, the elk made a reemergence in an experimental phase of reintroduction of the species in the early 2000s. The experiment has now led to an elk population of nearly 140 in North Carolina alone. Therefore, my must-do sightseeing trek would be to spot one of the few elk in the eastern United States. This can be best accomplished in the area near Maggie Valley.
Whether you’re into day hikes, backpacking, or even wildlife-viewing, the Challenge is an option for everyone. Next time you’re in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stop by a Visitors Center and pay just $1 to take part in the program for yourself. Next thing you know you'll be climbing tiers.
Christopher DeVore is the founder of Father Nature Outdoors. His company produces outdoors camping products, most notably the award winning FNO Integrated Sleeping Bag. For more information on Mr. DeVore or Father Nature Outdoors check out www.fathernatureoutdoors.com . Father Nature Outdoors - Because Mother Nature can be a pain.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Update: After speaking with park officials I have learned that this program has been undergoing some revamping. Although popular amongst frequent visitors, it's a goal of the park to make this well known to new visitors as well. In addition, GSMNP has recently created a “Hike the Smokies for Families” Challenge which targets younger populations as well.
Nearly two years ago the National Park Service released a challenge for citizens visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was coined the “Hike the Smokies” Challenge. The Challenge rewards individuals based on miles hiked within the park, and sets them apart by tiers. The first tier starts at 100 miles and the tiers rise from there.
I recently left my post working with the Department of the Interior and found this challenge created a decent amount of buzz around DOI social media outlets. From most opinions I have heard, the Challenge was a rather ingenious way to get goal-oriented individuals to take in the treasures of the Smokies and share their exploits.
For those of you with plans to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I have defined a few highlights to make your climb to the first tier memorable. With over 800 miles of trails in the Park, which would you choose? Here are mine:
Must-do Day Hike: Although one of the more popular and busier options, Alum Cave is my day hike of choice. At just short of five miles, this hike has stimuli surrounding throughout the moderate climb. Whether it’s the wildlife of the area, the history, the great views, or the cave (which is technically a massive rock outcropping) there are spectacular sights here year round.
Must-do Overnight Camp: Most of my frontcountry camping trips take place with family and friends. It's a fun way to take in day hikes nearby without the extra challenge of backpacking. If I had to choose one campground close to enough activity that would keep me entertained for days, I would choose Deep Creek. Deep Creek boasts three waterfalls within a short hike, which makes this one of the prime campgrounds in the park. Relaxing fishing spots nearby don’t turn me away either.
Must-do Backpacking Hike: This is probably the most important “must-do” activity in my book, not to mention it’s also the easiest way to take a chunk out of the Challenge. Big Creek Loop, or “Big” as park frequenters call it, is the perfect way to take in sampling of what the park has to offer. At 16.5 miles it’s a great way to spend a weekend of backpacking. Whether it’s swimming holes or wildlife, there's plenty to get your attention on this trail. When you’re on a trail like this the Challenge would be the last thing on your mind.
Must-do Sightseeing: Having a background with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, I would have to choose a wildlife-centric sightseeing adventure. Dating back to the 1800’s thousands of elk naturally roamed the park. Shortly after human encroachment began on the area that is now the park, humans began to take their toll on the species, and the elk were driven to extinction. However, the elk made a reemergence in an experimental phase of reintroduction of the species in the early 2000s. The experiment has now led to an elk population of nearly 140 in North Carolina alone. Therefore, my must-do sightseeing trek would be to spot one of the few elk in the eastern United States. This can be best accomplished in the area near Maggie Valley.
Whether you’re into day hikes, backpacking, or even wildlife-viewing, the Challenge is an option for everyone. Next time you’re in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stop by a Visitors Center and pay just $1 to take part in the program for yourself. Next thing you know you'll be climbing tiers.
Christopher DeVore is the founder of Father Nature Outdoors. His company produces outdoors camping products, most notably the award winning FNO Integrated Sleeping Bag. For more information on Mr. DeVore or Father Nature Outdoors check out www.fathernatureoutdoors.com . Father Nature Outdoors - Because Mother Nature can be a pain.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Urban Trees and Public Health
In a NPR interview transcript, a researcher who tries to quantify exactly how the loss of trees (particularly urban trees) affects public health.
That's a really unique opportunity. Imagine if you were trying to look at the effect of trees growing on someone's health and I got 100 people, I put them in 100 identical houses, and I planted trees in front of 50 of those houses and then waited. It would take 40 or 50 years before you found anything because trees grow really slowly. It's hard to see significant changes quickly. On the other hand, trees die really quickly. That's why you have this unique opportunity to see a big change in the natural environment in a short amount of time.
Fleurs malgaches, album n°2 Hibiscus (Madagascar)
Second volet de l'Album des fleurs photographiées à Madagascar, consacré aujourd'hui exclusivement aux Hibiscus. Amis (es) fidèles de ce blog, le patron étant bien occupé, le blog risque d'être un peu perturbé dans les semaines à venir. La patronne, qui n'est guère rompue à l'exercice essaiera cependant, autant que faire se peut, d'y maintenir une certaine activité.
Road Striping Operations on Newfound Gap Road
A contractor for Great Smoky Mountains National Park will perform striping operations in NC beginning Wednesday, June 12th, through Tuesday, June 18th, along Newfound Gap Road from Newfound Gap south to Cherokee, along with various secondary roads throughout the NC section of the Park.
Operations will be completed between 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. for seven consecutive nights. Weather delays due to rain could cause the project to continue beyond June 18th. During the operation, traffic will be reduced to one lane for short sections. Motorists should use caution when they encounter the road striping operations and pay close attention to traffic control devices along the roadway.
For more information about road conditions, please call the park’s Road and Weather Information Line at 865-436-1200.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Operations will be completed between 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. for seven consecutive nights. Weather delays due to rain could cause the project to continue beyond June 18th. During the operation, traffic will be reduced to one lane for short sections. Motorists should use caution when they encounter the road striping operations and pay close attention to traffic control devices along the roadway.
For more information about road conditions, please call the park’s Road and Weather Information Line at 865-436-1200.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Sweetie, did you lock the truck? The bear is coming.
Camping last weekend, I religiously put the cooler and food box inside the Jeep at night. But I did not lock it.
If I lived near Maple Ridge, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver, I would have had to lock it.
Next: Canadian bears using Slim Jims.
If I lived near Maple Ridge, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver, I would have had to lock it.
Next: Canadian bears using Slim Jims.
Smokies To Host Event Showcasing Traditional Women’s Work
On Saturday, June 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Mountain Farm Museum in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will come to life as national park staff and volunteers pay tribute to rural women of the past through demonstrations of traditional women's work.
This day recognizes the many contributions of the region's rural women by providing an opportunity to experience the past and to actively take part in the traditions of the southern Appalachia through hands-on activities. As part of the celebration, demonstrations among the historic Mountain Home buildings will include hearth cooking, soap making, cornshuck crafts, sewing, and traditional mountain music. Exhibits of artifacts and historic photographs will also provide a glimpse into the many and varied roles of rural women. The Davis-Queen house will be open for visitors to walk through with an audio exhibit featuring the last child born in the house.
All event activities are free to the public. The Mountain Farm Museum is located on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. Highway 441) adjacent to the national park's Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 2 miles north of Cherokee, North Carolina. For additional information call the visitor center at 828-497-1904.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
This day recognizes the many contributions of the region's rural women by providing an opportunity to experience the past and to actively take part in the traditions of the southern Appalachia through hands-on activities. As part of the celebration, demonstrations among the historic Mountain Home buildings will include hearth cooking, soap making, cornshuck crafts, sewing, and traditional mountain music. Exhibits of artifacts and historic photographs will also provide a glimpse into the many and varied roles of rural women. The Davis-Queen house will be open for visitors to walk through with an audio exhibit featuring the last child born in the house.
All event activities are free to the public. The Mountain Farm Museum is located on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. Highway 441) adjacent to the national park's Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 2 miles north of Cherokee, North Carolina. For additional information call the visitor center at 828-497-1904.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
What the Neighbors Were Doing 168 Years Ago
Alexander Barclay, trader, writes to his brother George in St. Louis, June 11, 1845 from a location just down the creek from us:
Our wants are few, and as we witness no instance of ostentation and luxury in our neighbors, we have nothing to create envy. Thus,we have only to repress occasional recollections of the superfluities of civilized life to be contented with our own. Indeed, the men who have located here are all those whom the wreck of the mountain trade and hunting parties have left on the surface, unfitted to return to former haunts or avocations, with minds alienated by new connections from home and early friends, and habits transformed by constant excitement and daring adventure from the dull plodding of the sober citizen to the reckless activity and thrilling interest of a border life, open to the aggression of the savage and the pursuit of free will, free trade and free thinking.
Our wants are few, and as we witness no instance of ostentation and luxury in our neighbors, we have nothing to create envy. Thus,we have only to repress occasional recollections of the superfluities of civilized life to be contented with our own. Indeed, the men who have located here are all those whom the wreck of the mountain trade and hunting parties have left on the surface, unfitted to return to former haunts or avocations, with minds alienated by new connections from home and early friends, and habits transformed by constant excitement and daring adventure from the dull plodding of the sober citizen to the reckless activity and thrilling interest of a border life, open to the aggression of the savage and the pursuit of free will, free trade and free thinking.
quoted in George P. Hammond, The Adventures of Alexander Barclay, Mountain Man
(Denver: Old West Pub. Co., 1976)
Participation in Outdoor Recreation Activities Reaches Highest Level in Six Years
Participation in outdoor recreation reached a six-year high in 2012 with nearly 50% of Americans ages six and older taking part in at least one of the 43 outdoor activities included in the latest Outdoor Recreation Participation Report. This percentage equates to 141.9 million American outdoor participants, reflecting an increase of nearly a million people compared to 2011. In addition, outdoor participants were more active in 2012 than in past years, taking an average of 87.4 outdoor outings per participant for a total 12.4 billion outings. Overall, more Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2012 than in any year since The Outdoor Foundation began measuring participation six years ago, perhaps signaling a move toward healthier, more active lifestyles.
These findings are part of The Outdoor Foundation's 2013 Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report, the leading report tracking American participation trends in outdoor recreation with a focus on youth, young adults, diversity and the future of the outdoors.
Participation rates by age remained consistent in most categories from 2011 to 2012 — a testament to the resilience of outdoor participation in uncertain economic times. Participation rates among younger generations remained steady yet are still significantly lower than they were in 2006. Young participants are also less diverse than the nation’s population as a whole. In 2012, 71 percent of youth and young adult participants were non-Hispanic Caucasian – which is not reflective of the nations increasingly diverse population.
When averaging the year-to-year changes in participation for specific outdoor activities over the past three years, multisport activities, such as triathlons and adventure racing, have experienced the largest average annual increases in participation. Activities such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, camping, RV camping, and rafting have all experienced the largest average annual decreases.
Here are a few stats of interest:
* After showing a sharp decline in 2011 versus the prior year, backpacking made a strong return in 2012. The report shows a 23.6% increase in the number of people participating in the outdoor pursuit. The 2012 numbers were also the highest level of participation in the 7-year history of the study.
* Interestingly, however, camping (within a 1/4 mile of a vehicle or home) declined 9% when compared to 2011.
* Participation in hiking remained relatively flat for 2012. However, the latest figures don't reflect the strong growth in the outdoor pursuit in recent years. Compared to 2006 (the first year of the study), hiking is up 15.7%. Compared to 2010, participation in hiking has increased by 6.3%.
In 2012, the top 5 most popular outdoor activities for adults (ages 25+), based on participation rates were:
1. Fishing - 15.7% of adults
2. Running, Jogging and Trail Running - 14.9% of adults
3. Bicycling (Road, Mountain and BMX) - 12.0% of adults
4. Hiking - 11.7% of adults
5. Camping (Car, Backyard and RV) - 11.5% of adults
The top 5 favorite outdoor activities for adults (ages 25+), based on frequency of activity were:
1. Running, Jogging and Trail Running - 87.2 average outings per runner
2. Bicycling (Road, Mountain and BMX) - 58.4 average outings per cyclist
3. Birdwatching - 40.7 average outings per birdwatcher
4. Backpacking - 33.4 average outings per backpacker
5. Wildlife Viewing - 29.9 average outings per viewer
The report is based on an online survey of more than 42,000 Americans ages six and older and covers over 40 different activities, making it the largest survey of its kind. To download a complete copy of the 2013 Outdoor Recreation Topline Participation Report, visit The Outdoor Foundation website .
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
These findings are part of The Outdoor Foundation's 2013 Outdoor Recreation Participation Topline Report, the leading report tracking American participation trends in outdoor recreation with a focus on youth, young adults, diversity and the future of the outdoors.
Participation rates by age remained consistent in most categories from 2011 to 2012 — a testament to the resilience of outdoor participation in uncertain economic times. Participation rates among younger generations remained steady yet are still significantly lower than they were in 2006. Young participants are also less diverse than the nation’s population as a whole. In 2012, 71 percent of youth and young adult participants were non-Hispanic Caucasian – which is not reflective of the nations increasingly diverse population.
When averaging the year-to-year changes in participation for specific outdoor activities over the past three years, multisport activities, such as triathlons and adventure racing, have experienced the largest average annual increases in participation. Activities such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, camping, RV camping, and rafting have all experienced the largest average annual decreases.
Here are a few stats of interest:
* After showing a sharp decline in 2011 versus the prior year, backpacking made a strong return in 2012. The report shows a 23.6% increase in the number of people participating in the outdoor pursuit. The 2012 numbers were also the highest level of participation in the 7-year history of the study.
* Interestingly, however, camping (within a 1/4 mile of a vehicle or home) declined 9% when compared to 2011.
* Participation in hiking remained relatively flat for 2012. However, the latest figures don't reflect the strong growth in the outdoor pursuit in recent years. Compared to 2006 (the first year of the study), hiking is up 15.7%. Compared to 2010, participation in hiking has increased by 6.3%.
In 2012, the top 5 most popular outdoor activities for adults (ages 25+), based on participation rates were:
1. Fishing - 15.7% of adults
2. Running, Jogging and Trail Running - 14.9% of adults
3. Bicycling (Road, Mountain and BMX) - 12.0% of adults
4. Hiking - 11.7% of adults
5. Camping (Car, Backyard and RV) - 11.5% of adults
The top 5 favorite outdoor activities for adults (ages 25+), based on frequency of activity were:
1. Running, Jogging and Trail Running - 87.2 average outings per runner
2. Bicycling (Road, Mountain and BMX) - 58.4 average outings per cyclist
3. Birdwatching - 40.7 average outings per birdwatcher
4. Backpacking - 33.4 average outings per backpacker
5. Wildlife Viewing - 29.9 average outings per viewer
The report is based on an online survey of more than 42,000 Americans ages six and older and covers over 40 different activities, making it the largest survey of its kind. To download a complete copy of the 2013 Outdoor Recreation Topline Participation Report, visit The Outdoor Foundation website .
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
How wonderfully marbleous!
There are some rock types that are very common around the country and around the world that just don’t seem to rate much of a mention in the Northern Rivers. One very common rock is limestone formed from corals in a shallow sea, just like the Great Barrier Reef. Limestone is made almost entirely of the mineral calcite. Some parts of the world have vast terrains dominated by limestone called karst landscapes and it is quite distinctive. Limestone terrains sometimes form amazing subterranean cave systems as the stone is dissolved by rainwater infiltration into the formation. These karst terrains include north-west Mexico and other parts of North America, a giant band through northern England and a wide area of South Australia along the Great Australian Bight. However, it is a landscape absent from the Northern Rivers.
Having said that vast areas of limestone don’t exist in the region it is worth noting that they do exist in small areas here and there within the older rocks of the New England Orogen. The reason for this is interesting. The New England Orogeny was a period of mountain building during periods of plate collision which included a period of subduction of an oceanic plate under the Australian continental landmass during the Silurian period. The material on the surface of the oceanic plate was often accreted, that is scraped off and squashed onto the Australian continent. Seamounts are old islands in the middle of the sea. Such as, those around modern day Hawaii or Fiji. The seamounts were accreted onto the continental mass where they created little pockets of limestone in midst of the jumbled, squashed mass of deep seafloor sediments.
This means that if you find limestone in the New England area you are actually finding the preserved remnants of a little tropical island reef or lagoon. An especially nice thought, when you find some limestone on a cold frosty New England winter morning. One relatively accessible place to see some limestone is an old quarry on the Pretty Gully Road just north-west of the town of Tabulam which sits on the Bruxner Highway crossing of the Clarence River. The stratigraphic unit that the limestone of the area is part is the Emu Creek Formation which also includes areas of interesting fossils (more about that in yet another post). However, the quarry is interesting for more reasons than just as an occurrence of limestone.
Following the period of subduction and accretion a period occurred where intrusions of molten magma pushed their way into the accretionary sedimentary rocks. It occurred a couple of times including during the Late Permian to Early Triassic and created one part of what is referred to as the New England Batholith. The batholith is an array of granitic rocks that stretches through the whole New England Tablelands. The intrusions of the Late
Permian to Early Triassic included the emplacement of the Bruxner Monzogranite, a type of granite pluton (more about this specific rock in a future post). This pluton heated up and metamorphosed the rocks around it and one of which was that body of limestone near Tabulam. Contact metamorphism of limestone creates the rock called marble and this has happened at Tabulam. Although, the quality of marble is questionable because of the amount of impurities.
Other things happened to the limestone during metamorphism too. The transfer of fluids into and out of the cooling magma created chemical reactions which concentrated elements such as iron. This process develops what is called a skarn, a body of altered limestone with sometimes economic amounts of minerals. The minerals in a skarn can be diverse and very, very valuable but the minerals are based on the chemistry of the granite pluton. In the case of the chemistry of the Bruxner Monzogranite, there was not much of value except lots of iron which formed abundant amounts of the minerals magnetite and haematite. This has been considered for mining in the past but the small size and low grade means it is not a viable iron mine.
There are other small limestone deposits all around the New England and all of them are interesting for one reason or another. Some north of Inverell have lovely caves, others near Tamworth are mined for lime on a large scale. While others, just have interesting little features that illustrate what happened during the formation of our region.
References/bibliography:
*Bryant, C.J., Arculus, R.J. & Chappell, B.W. 1997. Clarence River Supersuite: 250Ma Cordilleran Tonalitic I-type Intrusions in Eastern Australia. Journal of Petrology. v38.
*Lishmund, S.R., Dawood, A.D. & Langley, W.V. 1986. The Limestone Deposits of New South Wales. 2nd Ed. Geological Survey of New South Wales
Having said that vast areas of limestone don’t exist in the region it is worth noting that they do exist in small areas here and there within the older rocks of the New England Orogen. The reason for this is interesting. The New England Orogeny was a period of mountain building during periods of plate collision which included a period of subduction of an oceanic plate under the Australian continental landmass during the Silurian period. The material on the surface of the oceanic plate was often accreted, that is scraped off and squashed onto the Australian continent. Seamounts are old islands in the middle of the sea. Such as, those around modern day Hawaii or Fiji. The seamounts were accreted onto the continental mass where they created little pockets of limestone in midst of the jumbled, squashed mass of deep seafloor sediments.
This means that if you find limestone in the New England area you are actually finding the preserved remnants of a little tropical island reef or lagoon. An especially nice thought, when you find some limestone on a cold frosty New England winter morning. One relatively accessible place to see some limestone is an old quarry on the Pretty Gully Road just north-west of the town of Tabulam which sits on the Bruxner Highway crossing of the Clarence River. The stratigraphic unit that the limestone of the area is part is the Emu Creek Formation which also includes areas of interesting fossils (more about that in yet another post). However, the quarry is interesting for more reasons than just as an occurrence of limestone.
Following the period of subduction and accretion a period occurred where intrusions of molten magma pushed their way into the accretionary sedimentary rocks. It occurred a couple of times including during the Late Permian to Early Triassic and created one part of what is referred to as the New England Batholith. The batholith is an array of granitic rocks that stretches through the whole New England Tablelands. The intrusions of the Late
Permian to Early Triassic included the emplacement of the Bruxner Monzogranite, a type of granite pluton (more about this specific rock in a future post). This pluton heated up and metamorphosed the rocks around it and one of which was that body of limestone near Tabulam. Contact metamorphism of limestone creates the rock called marble and this has happened at Tabulam. Although, the quality of marble is questionable because of the amount of impurities.
Other things happened to the limestone during metamorphism too. The transfer of fluids into and out of the cooling magma created chemical reactions which concentrated elements such as iron. This process develops what is called a skarn, a body of altered limestone with sometimes economic amounts of minerals. The minerals in a skarn can be diverse and very, very valuable but the minerals are based on the chemistry of the granite pluton. In the case of the chemistry of the Bruxner Monzogranite, there was not much of value except lots of iron which formed abundant amounts of the minerals magnetite and haematite. This has been considered for mining in the past but the small size and low grade means it is not a viable iron mine.
There are other small limestone deposits all around the New England and all of them are interesting for one reason or another. Some north of Inverell have lovely caves, others near Tamworth are mined for lime on a large scale. While others, just have interesting little features that illustrate what happened during the formation of our region.
References/bibliography:
*Bryant, C.J., Arculus, R.J. & Chappell, B.W. 1997. Clarence River Supersuite: 250Ma Cordilleran Tonalitic I-type Intrusions in Eastern Australia. Journal of Petrology. v38.
*Lishmund, S.R., Dawood, A.D. & Langley, W.V. 1986. The Limestone Deposits of New South Wales. 2nd Ed. Geological Survey of New South Wales
Salut à tous,
Aujourd'hui, j'aimerais
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows Vista / Ubuntu 10.04 LTS / Voyager 11.10 / Linux Mint 10 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
Aujourd'hui, j'aimerais
Windows 7 / Windows XP Pro / Windows Vista / Ubuntu 10.04 LTS / Voyager 11.10 / Linux Mint 10 MacOS X iBook, version 10.4.11 ¨Tiger¨.
Guided Hike to a Big South Fork Rock Shelter on Saturday, June 22
A ranger guided hike to a rock shelter along the Oscar Blevins Trail will take place on Saturday, June 22nd, near the Bandy Creek Visitor Center in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. On this moderate two mile hike, visitors will learn about plants and animals in the park, hear about park history, and will be able to view rock shelters along the trail.
The hike will begin at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on the front porch of the Bandy Creek Visitor Center. In case of inclement weather, a talk will be held in the Interpretation and Education Building located beside the Visitor Center.
Everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
The hike will begin at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on the front porch of the Bandy Creek Visitor Center. In case of inclement weather, a talk will be held in the Interpretation and Education Building located beside the Visitor Center.
Everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
When Your Secrecy is Gone, Shout!
 |
| Find the dangerous one. |
In the past few weeks, we've learned that the US government is snooping more than they had wanted us to know. The federal intelligence community, long enamored with the potential that computers and electronic communication offer for listening in on a huge scale, snagged barrels full of AP reporter communications, and shiploads of social network and email data from the rest of us.
This should come as no surprise. For quite a while, we have seen this coming: Admiral Poindexter's soul-less body reanimated to head up snooping programs with names like "carnivore" and "echelon," establishment of a goal so important that it gets an acronym (TIA = Total Information Awareness), and construction of a massive internet and phone eavesdropping center in Utah, the Patriot Act's indulgence of blanket searches, the Foreign Intelligence Security Court established pretty much for the purpose of giving the imprimatur of legitimacy to snooping, and so on and on and on...
At the same time that usually docile "news" organizations are getting their hackles up, the US government (right on up to el Presidente) is busy prosecuting leakers and complaining that the outing of its taps and intercepts will endanger security. Both sides are lying or stupid. Given our government's history of spying on perceived enemies foreign and domestic, and given the obvious potential for mass snooping presented by modern communication technology, how can any reporter with a gram of awareness think that the NSA or any other security agency would forego the opportunity?
Likewise, for the Commander-in-Chief to step up to the microphone and say that a couple of newspaper stories endanger the secrecy--and by extension, they would have us believe, the success--of intelligence-gathering efforts is complete bullshit. Maybe you hadn't inferred the existence of widespread data mining, of blanket search and seizure of your communications, but all of our supposed enemies have. The Chinese (or any other nation you want to think of as an enemy) have certainly known about PRISM for a while, and even the most podunk affiliate of al Quaeda operates on the assumption that any phone call or email is being monitored. Hell, I do too, even though I am the very model of an ineffectual internest voice.
Did you think what you wrote in an email or on a comment page was confidential? That your clever fake username made you anonymous? That you still have 4th Amendment rights? That a "liberal" president would put concern for your privacy above opportunities to take power? What you do is no more secret from the US government than it is from a determined hacker. Or, let's face it, from corporations, which harvest your data with your own permission (and by permission, I mean ignorance as to how to stop the cookies and trackers and whatever other tech means to harvest data that we users do not even know about).
Maybe the government will pretend to back off, or be more open. In fact, I would count on there being some effort at window dressing, attempts to make it appear that the spies are held in checks and balances. But I assume, and would advise anyone using the internet in any way to also assume, that they are being listened to by the US and other major world powers like the Chinese, Russians, Facebook, and Google.
So if you want your communication to remain private, send handwritten letters by snail-mail. Attempting to use crypto-communications online will only draw attention, and the interceptors are more sophisticated and well-funded than you are.
But better yet, assume that nothing is private. Even if public outcry caused the US goverment to (pretend to) stop snooping, that won't do anything about other national governments or international corporations. And if you value your freedom, speak up. Post like I am now, proclaim your disgust with a spying government, tell the NSA to fuck off. The more of us mildy rebellious people, non-violent curmudgeons, who speak out, the more the snoopers get the message, the more their algorithms are clogged with harmlessness.
Maybe one day I will end up like Winston Smith, but I don't plan on waiting as long as he did to speak up. In case the NSA has not flagged this post thus far (they shoulda, I said "al Qaeda" and referenced US government spying), let me just say that I do not believe in the legitimacy of online spying. I think it does more to corrode democracy than to protect it. Fuck off, secret police.
Evening Black Bear Program at Bandy Creek Campground Next Saturday
There will be a program on "How to Keep Yourself Safe and the Bears Out of Trouble" at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area's Bandy Creek Campground on Saturday, June 15, at 7:00 p.m. (EDT). The evening program will be held at the Bandy Creek campfire circle.
People of all ages can learn how to keep safe in bear habitat of Big South Fork and the surrounding area and gain an understanding of how human behavior can impact bear behavior. Visitors will learn what to do if they see a black bear, how to store food at a camp site, and how to "bear-proof" private property.
The campfire circle can be found by entering Bandy Creek Campground and turning left toward Area A. Across the road from the swimming pool parking lot, a trail leads to the campfire circle.
For more information, contact the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
People of all ages can learn how to keep safe in bear habitat of Big South Fork and the surrounding area and gain an understanding of how human behavior can impact bear behavior. Visitors will learn what to do if they see a black bear, how to store food at a camp site, and how to "bear-proof" private property.
The campfire circle can be found by entering Bandy Creek Campground and turning left toward Area A. Across the road from the swimming pool parking lot, a trail leads to the campfire circle.
For more information, contact the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275.
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Win more than $2,500 in gear in the #SuuntoAmbitions Contest
Suunto USA is announcing its #SuuntoAmbitions contest to encourage adventurers of all levels to inspire each other through various outdoor ambitions.
“With the #SuuntoAmbitions contest, we’ve created a program that truly inspires people to get out and test their limits and set higher goals in the outdoors,” says Amer Sports Americas digital marketing manager, Evin Catlett. “Whether that be running your first 5K, completing a multisport event or even taking a multi-day backpacking trip, we want people to think about reconstructing their limits, thinking bigger—being ambitious.”
Alongside inspiring posts from Suunto athletes like Kim Havell, Brody Leven and Christina Lusti, close to 1,000 submissions have been already tallied just weeks into the contest, with many more expected over the remaining weeks until the contest official ends on June 23, 2013. Suunto is awarding once-per-week winners with a new Suunto Ambit2 S—the lightweight heart rate and GPS unit that features advanced, seamless tracking technology for running, biking, swimming and other sports.
At the contest’s close, a community vote will decide on a grand-prize winner from 10 of the most ambitious entrants. That winner will receive more than $2,500 in gear from Suunto, Salomon, Atomic and Arc’teryx.
To enter, simply upload a photo to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the #SuuntoAmbitions hashtag of yourself or someone else doing something ambitious. Include a caption describing your goals and how you’re pushing boundaries and conquering new territories. (You can view the current gallery, here .)
For more information about the contest and to enter now, visit the #SuuntoAmbitions official contest page .
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
“With the #SuuntoAmbitions contest, we’ve created a program that truly inspires people to get out and test their limits and set higher goals in the outdoors,” says Amer Sports Americas digital marketing manager, Evin Catlett. “Whether that be running your first 5K, completing a multisport event or even taking a multi-day backpacking trip, we want people to think about reconstructing their limits, thinking bigger—being ambitious.”
Alongside inspiring posts from Suunto athletes like Kim Havell, Brody Leven and Christina Lusti, close to 1,000 submissions have been already tallied just weeks into the contest, with many more expected over the remaining weeks until the contest official ends on June 23, 2013. Suunto is awarding once-per-week winners with a new Suunto Ambit2 S—the lightweight heart rate and GPS unit that features advanced, seamless tracking technology for running, biking, swimming and other sports.
At the contest’s close, a community vote will decide on a grand-prize winner from 10 of the most ambitious entrants. That winner will receive more than $2,500 in gear from Suunto, Salomon, Atomic and Arc’teryx.
To enter, simply upload a photo to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the #SuuntoAmbitions hashtag of yourself or someone else doing something ambitious. Include a caption describing your goals and how you’re pushing boundaries and conquering new territories. (You can view the current gallery, here .)
For more information about the contest and to enter now, visit the #SuuntoAmbitions official contest page .
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
6th Annual Herding of the Goats on Roan Mountain
As has been the case over the last several years, goats will once again be used as an experimental management tool to help restore the grassy bald corridors on Roan Mountain's western balds.
The Grassy Balds on Roan Mountain are important habitats for many rare and endemic species such as Gray's Lily, as well as species at or near the southern ends of their ranges. The western balds are thought to be naturally occurring, predating European settlement, however, these ecosystems have declined in quality and quantity in recent years. The Baatany Goat Project's thesis is that use of grazing animals, such as goats, will restore the plant diversity and growth on these balds.
On Wednesday, June 19th, the goats will be herded up to Roan Mountain from Carver's Gap. Project leaders Jamey Donaldson and Todd Eastin will again need volunteers to help herd the goats up to their new home near Jane Bald. Instructions will be provided beforehand, as well as during the walk up to Jane Bald, to handle any stray goats.
The goats will remain on the mountain from mid-June to mid-September, while grazing in movable paddocks along the Appalachian Trail between Jane Bald and the turn off for the trail to Grassy Ridge Bald.
If you'd like to help, please be at Carver's Gap at 8 a.m. on June 19th.
Can't make it that day? You can also help by adopting a goat to help fund the program. For more information on the project, please click here .
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
The Grassy Balds on Roan Mountain are important habitats for many rare and endemic species such as Gray's Lily, as well as species at or near the southern ends of their ranges. The western balds are thought to be naturally occurring, predating European settlement, however, these ecosystems have declined in quality and quantity in recent years. The Baatany Goat Project's thesis is that use of grazing animals, such as goats, will restore the plant diversity and growth on these balds.
On Wednesday, June 19th, the goats will be herded up to Roan Mountain from Carver's Gap. Project leaders Jamey Donaldson and Todd Eastin will again need volunteers to help herd the goats up to their new home near Jane Bald. Instructions will be provided beforehand, as well as during the walk up to Jane Bald, to handle any stray goats.
The goats will remain on the mountain from mid-June to mid-September, while grazing in movable paddocks along the Appalachian Trail between Jane Bald and the turn off for the trail to Grassy Ridge Bald.
If you'd like to help, please be at Carver's Gap at 8 a.m. on June 19th.
Can't make it that day? You can also help by adopting a goat to help fund the program. For more information on the project, please click here .
Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies
Junonia rhadama (Madagascar)
Retour au catalogue malgache avec Junonia rhadama, un Papillon bleu que j'ai eu beaucoup de mal à mettre correctement en boîte. Les clichés sont donc très moyens, mais cette couleur est suffisamment rare chez les Lépidoptères pour qu'il mérite quand même sa place ici. Junonia rhadama Ce Rhopalocère de la famille des Nymphalidae a été photographié à Madagascar, dans la région du
High Plains Aquifers, Crop Changes, and the 'Secret Government'
I posted recently about the galloping depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer ("We're on the last kick," he said. "The bulk water is gone").
Chad Love explains how modern agricultural methods also make it harder for the aquifer to recharge itself: "The Ogallala is Ogaleavin' "
Here in Colorado, agriculture traditionally takes about 80 percent of the water and municipalities 20 percent, but that balance is changing as farmers sell or lease water to cities. Consequence: A shift to dryland crops, just as will probably happen on the High Plains where groundwater has been going to corn crops for ethanol, feedlots, and hog barns.
John Orr at Coyote Gulch links to a Greeley Tribune story on how winter wheat is supplanting other thirstier crops.
Back on my last newspaper job, my beat included the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. I always felt that "the water beat" was like being asked to cover the secret government — where decisions are made and court cases are fought that, years down the road, constrain what more visible government bodies can do.
Coyote Gulch is my go-to blog for secret-government news these days.
Chad Love explains how modern agricultural methods also make it harder for the aquifer to recharge itself: "The Ogallala is Ogaleavin' "
Here in Colorado, agriculture traditionally takes about 80 percent of the water and municipalities 20 percent, but that balance is changing as farmers sell or lease water to cities. Consequence: A shift to dryland crops, just as will probably happen on the High Plains where groundwater has been going to corn crops for ethanol, feedlots, and hog barns.
John Orr at Coyote Gulch links to a Greeley Tribune story on how winter wheat is supplanting other thirstier crops.
Back on my last newspaper job, my beat included the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. I always felt that "the water beat" was like being asked to cover the secret government — where decisions are made and court cases are fought that, years down the road, constrain what more visible government bodies can do.
Coyote Gulch is my go-to blog for secret-government news these days.
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