Her letter to Santa included this line.
I want flower seeds.
She was thrilled to find 3 packs of seeds in her stocking on Christmas morning.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Flower Seeds from Santa
My youngest daughter loves plants. She's the only 7 year-old I know who has a favorite tree (Tulip Poplar) or who can identify things like Sassafrass and Yarrow. She's careful to say "White Oak" rather than just oak and she knows what flowers we have planted in the yard along with whether or not they are said to attract butterflies and/or hummingbirds.
Her letter to Santa included this line.
I want flower seeds.
She was thrilled to find 3 packs of seeds in her stocking on Christmas morning.
Her letter to Santa included this line.
I want flower seeds.
She was thrilled to find 3 packs of seeds in her stocking on Christmas morning.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
December Snow
While it's not rare to get snow here, it's unusual enough to be fun. Mostly. Our county doesn't have a fleet of slag trucks so some of the rural roads may not get attention for a couple days. Friday, we got what forecasters like to call a 'wintery mix' that later became snow and then went back to ice. By the end of the day, we had 6 inches in our yard. Other people in the area reported up to a foot.
Friday was supposed to be a half day for the kids with dismissal at noon. School actually dismissed at 9:45am because the storm system moved in sooner than anticipated. Roads started getting nasty right away. One of the major roads between this county and a neighboring county was closed for several hours due to multiple accidents. I've heard that a car ended up in the creek on the rural road closest to our home but the driver was not seriously injured. It's not the first time that's happened as the creek is in a valley. It would be easy to start sliding on the hill on either side of the creek and just plunk your car in the water. When my husband and I went over that bridge around 8am on Friday, there was already ice on it. When school dismissed our daughters rode the bus to their grandma's house like always. As the day wore on, several co-workers left early so they could get home before the roads got too bad. I was at work until my husband picked me up and his company tends to frown on leaving early due to weather. Still, he left a bit early in order to pick me up when the decision was made to close the library at 4:15 instead of 6:00pm. What is normally a 20 minute trip took the better part of 2 hours. The girls and I ended up walking the last 1/4 mile up our private, gravel road after the car slid into a ditch. No injuries, no damage to the car so it wasn't a big deal but the car had to be parked at my mother in-law's, a mile away. My brother in-law brought T home in his SUV.
Saturday, the girls spent a bit of time sledding in the back yard. A neighbor scraped our road with his tractor. The roads were still bad enough that church was canceled today. I'm off work until Wednesday and will be staying home because that's what I normally do anyway. With the temperatures they're predicting I'm betting we still have snow on the ground Christmas morning. Normally, any snow we get melts within a few days.
Our front yard always looks so pretty with a blanket of snow
Friday was supposed to be a half day for the kids with dismissal at noon. School actually dismissed at 9:45am because the storm system moved in sooner than anticipated. Roads started getting nasty right away. One of the major roads between this county and a neighboring county was closed for several hours due to multiple accidents. I've heard that a car ended up in the creek on the rural road closest to our home but the driver was not seriously injured. It's not the first time that's happened as the creek is in a valley. It would be easy to start sliding on the hill on either side of the creek and just plunk your car in the water. When my husband and I went over that bridge around 8am on Friday, there was already ice on it. When school dismissed our daughters rode the bus to their grandma's house like always. As the day wore on, several co-workers left early so they could get home before the roads got too bad. I was at work until my husband picked me up and his company tends to frown on leaving early due to weather. Still, he left a bit early in order to pick me up when the decision was made to close the library at 4:15 instead of 6:00pm. What is normally a 20 minute trip took the better part of 2 hours. The girls and I ended up walking the last 1/4 mile up our private, gravel road after the car slid into a ditch. No injuries, no damage to the car so it wasn't a big deal but the car had to be parked at my mother in-law's, a mile away. My brother in-law brought T home in his SUV.
Saturday, the girls spent a bit of time sledding in the back yard. A neighbor scraped our road with his tractor. The roads were still bad enough that church was canceled today. I'm off work until Wednesday and will be staying home because that's what I normally do anyway. With the temperatures they're predicting I'm betting we still have snow on the ground Christmas morning. Normally, any snow we get melts within a few days.
Our front yard always looks so pretty with a blanket of snow
Friday, November 27, 2009
Feather found on Thanksgiving Day
The girls were playing in the woods beside the house when they found this feather. The youngest brought it to me and asked me to see if I could find out what kind of bird it came from. I narrowed the possibilities to a hawk or an owl but that's as far as I got. The feather measures just under 10 inches from tip to tip.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Chestnut Knob Trail
October 25, 2009
South Mountains State Park
Burke County, NC
South Mountains State Park website on NCParks.org describes Chestnut Knot Trail as "very strenuous." The first part of the trail (about half a mile) is a steep ascent. There are plenty of timber steps along this section of the trail.
At the top of that ascent, there's a sign indicating you can visit Jacob Fork River Gorge Overlook. The side trip is recommended for great views including distant views of High Shoals Falls.
After taking the side trip to the Jacob Fork Overlook, the Chestnut Knob Trail follows the ridge line for a while. This part of the trail is easier than the first part but it's narrow in many places.
You do a little more climbing when you get close to the overlook. The views from Chestnut Knob Overlook were gorgeous. When we arrived at the overlook, other people were just leaving so we had the place to ourselves for about 5 minutes. The overlook is a large outcropping of rocks. We sat on the rocks and soaked up the views while enjoying a snack.
South Mountains State Park
Burke County, NC
South Mountains State Park website on NCParks.org describes Chestnut Knot Trail as "very strenuous." The first part of the trail (about half a mile) is a steep ascent. There are plenty of timber steps along this section of the trail.
At the top of that ascent, there's a sign indicating you can visit Jacob Fork River Gorge Overlook. The side trip is recommended for great views including distant views of High Shoals Falls.
After taking the side trip to the Jacob Fork Overlook, the Chestnut Knob Trail follows the ridge line for a while. This part of the trail is easier than the first part but it's narrow in many places.
You do a little more climbing when you get close to the overlook. The views from Chestnut Knob Overlook were gorgeous. When we arrived at the overlook, other people were just leaving so we had the place to ourselves for about 5 minutes. The overlook is a large outcropping of rocks. We sat on the rocks and soaked up the views while enjoying a snack.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Take A Child Outside Week
Take A Child Outside Week is September 24- September 30, 2009.
The program is "designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world." An initiative of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences with partner organizations across the United States and Canada, the goal of Take A Child Outside Week is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live, and a burgeoning enthusiasm for its exploration.
Many of the children I know already have an enthusiastic love of the outdoors. My own children love hiking. The youngest is interested in plants and can identify many different plants. (I may have to post about that in more detail sometime.) Still, I wanted to do something to acknowledge the week.
This morning, T and I had Children's Worship which means we got to hang out with the kids during the worship service. The rain of the past couple days ended so we took the kids on a walk around the church yard and ball field. As we walked, we stopped to check out mushrooms and spiderwebs. We named some of the trees, checked out the walnuts that had fallen from their tree and spent some time looking at (and sampling a few) grapes that were growing along the edge of the ball field. The children received the appropriate cautions and reminders about not eating whatever they happen to find growing on vines or trees. During our walk, I encouraged the children to gather leaves so we could use them for an art project. When we returned to the classroom, I demonstrated how to make a leaf rubbing using a leaf, a crayon and sheet of paper. The kids enjoyed making rubbings of the leaves they collected on our little walk and I came home with gifts from kids other than my own. I had borrowed some tree identification books from the library so the kids could look at those. Before we left for church, I plucked a few sassafras leaves from the trees in our yard because I didn't recall seeing any near the church. After we identified and did rubbings of the leaves, I broke the stems and had the children smell it. Sassafras has a citrus-like scent. The kids loved it and the leaves I had taken with me went home with different people.
The program is "designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering the natural world." An initiative of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences with partner organizations across the United States and Canada, the goal of Take A Child Outside Week is to help children across the country develop a better understanding and appreciation of the environment in which they live, and a burgeoning enthusiasm for its exploration.
Many of the children I know already have an enthusiastic love of the outdoors. My own children love hiking. The youngest is interested in plants and can identify many different plants. (I may have to post about that in more detail sometime.) Still, I wanted to do something to acknowledge the week.
This morning, T and I had Children's Worship which means we got to hang out with the kids during the worship service. The rain of the past couple days ended so we took the kids on a walk around the church yard and ball field. As we walked, we stopped to check out mushrooms and spiderwebs. We named some of the trees, checked out the walnuts that had fallen from their tree and spent some time looking at (and sampling a few) grapes that were growing along the edge of the ball field. The children received the appropriate cautions and reminders about not eating whatever they happen to find growing on vines or trees. During our walk, I encouraged the children to gather leaves so we could use them for an art project. When we returned to the classroom, I demonstrated how to make a leaf rubbing using a leaf, a crayon and sheet of paper. The kids enjoyed making rubbings of the leaves they collected on our little walk and I came home with gifts from kids other than my own. I had borrowed some tree identification books from the library so the kids could look at those. Before we left for church, I plucked a few sassafras leaves from the trees in our yard because I didn't recall seeing any near the church. After we identified and did rubbings of the leaves, I broke the stems and had the children smell it. Sassafras has a citrus-like scent. The kids loved it and the leaves I had taken with me went home with different people.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Linville Falls
September 13, 2009
Linville Falls
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Erwin's View Trail approx 1.6 miles round trip
Moderate
The trip to Linville Falls was a delayed birthday outing. We began our hike shortly before 10:00am on Sunday morning because we had heard the trails/overlooks can become crowded. There are two ways to access the trails to the falls. We chose the United States Forest Service access area just off Hwy 183 near the town of Linville Falls. For a paved parking area, flushable toilets and a small gift shop the access area along the Blue Ridge Parkway is recommended. The girls had fun with the tree stumps along the trail; they even used one as a 'hiding spot.' We were glad we started early. When we started our hike there were only 3 other cars in the parking area; when we finished the parking area had filled up a lot and more people arrived while we enjoyed our picnic lunch at one of the two available tables near the parking area. There are trails to the gorge but T and I weren't sure we wanted to take the girls on those trails.
Erwin's View
Looking into the gorge
Upper Falls
Linville Falls
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
Erwin's View Trail approx 1.6 miles round trip
Moderate
The trip to Linville Falls was a delayed birthday outing. We began our hike shortly before 10:00am on Sunday morning because we had heard the trails/overlooks can become crowded. There are two ways to access the trails to the falls. We chose the United States Forest Service access area just off Hwy 183 near the town of Linville Falls. For a paved parking area, flushable toilets and a small gift shop the access area along the Blue Ridge Parkway is recommended. The girls had fun with the tree stumps along the trail; they even used one as a 'hiding spot.' We were glad we started early. When we started our hike there were only 3 other cars in the parking area; when we finished the parking area had filled up a lot and more people arrived while we enjoyed our picnic lunch at one of the two available tables near the parking area. There are trails to the gorge but T and I weren't sure we wanted to take the girls on those trails.
Erwin's View
Looking into the gorge
Upper Falls
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
South Moutains State Park
August 30, 2009
High Shoals Falls
South Mountains State Park
Connelly Springs, NC
This park is a short drive from our house so we've hiked this trail many times over the past few years. In fact, this was the trail we chose when we took our very first family hike. We decided to hike to High Shoals Falls after nearly a week of rain to see the waterfall with a 'fuller flow.' We were thrilled to see the recent rains had water tumbling through and over rocks for a symphony where the trail normally appears to be just a bridge over a rock bed. The girls pointed out and photographed lots of different fungi while we were hiking.
High Shoals Falls
South Mountains State Park
Connelly Springs, NC
This park is a short drive from our house so we've hiked this trail many times over the past few years. In fact, this was the trail we chose when we took our very first family hike. We decided to hike to High Shoals Falls after nearly a week of rain to see the waterfall with a 'fuller flow.' We were thrilled to see the recent rains had water tumbling through and over rocks for a symphony where the trail normally appears to be just a bridge over a rock bed. The girls pointed out and photographed lots of different fungi while we were hiking.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Boone Fork Trail
Julian Price Park
Blue Ridge Parkway
North Carolina
Boone Fork Trail is a strenuous 4.9 mile loop trail with a number of stream crossings, plenty of rocks and lots of roots to trip over. The trail head is just past the restrooms in the picnic area at Julian Price Memorial Park (milepost 297). The trail passes through the campground (where we saw a doe) and through a pasture that is still in use. We saw evidence of beavers.
Blue Ridge Parkway
North Carolina
Boone Fork Trail is a strenuous 4.9 mile loop trail with a number of stream crossings, plenty of rocks and lots of roots to trip over. The trail head is just past the restrooms in the picnic area at Julian Price Memorial Park (milepost 297). The trail passes through the campground (where we saw a doe) and through a pasture that is still in use. We saw evidence of beavers.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Riverbend Park
May 11, 2009
Riverbend Park
Catawba County, North Carolina
Easy walking with the family for Mother's Day
This was T's first trip since breaking his ankle in December
He was ready to hit the trail to High Shoals Falls at South Mountains State Park but I wanted to do something less involved to test his ankle.
We started off on the green trail, passed a couple meadows, saw the pond then switched to the red trail to go along the riverbank.
Animal sightings: frogs, lizards, a box turtle that wouldn't come out of his shell, a green snake, and butterflies
As we walked, the girls identified trees particularly the tulip poplars and cedar trees.
Riverbend Park
Catawba County, North Carolina
Easy walking with the family for Mother's Day
This was T's first trip since breaking his ankle in December
He was ready to hit the trail to High Shoals Falls at South Mountains State Park but I wanted to do something less involved to test his ankle.
We started off on the green trail, passed a couple meadows, saw the pond then switched to the red trail to go along the riverbank.
Animal sightings: frogs, lizards, a box turtle that wouldn't come out of his shell, a green snake, and butterflies
As we walked, the girls identified trees particularly the tulip poplars and cedar trees.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Bakers Mountain Park
April 18, 2009
Bakers Mountain Park
Catawba County, North Carolina
Moderate hike
Just mom & the girls hiked this one
Visited two old home sites then looped back to park office
We heard woodpeckers but didn't manage to catch a glimpse of one
No trip to Bakers Mountain is complete until the girls get to visit "Slithers" an Eastern King Snake living as a pet in the rangers' office
Dogwoods in bloom
Standing at the threshold of one old homesite
Memorial placed by Boy Scout Troop 351 honoring A.G. Clark, who grew up in the cabin that once stood here. A.G. Clark was KIA in WWII. The girls were fascinated to learn he's buried in the cemetery at our church.
The other old home site
At one time Mica was excavated on the mountain. We wouldn't have known we were at the excavation spot if the map stand hadn't been there. No photos of that but we did get a photograph of some quartz in the trail
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