Chimney Top is a barely hidden gem in the Spruce Knob – Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. From Northern Virginia it is about 2.5 hours to the trailhead. It is a pretty amazing spot that is definitely worth the effort. Read on to find out more. Chimney Top is a spur trail off the north […]
Ever go hiking in West Virginia? The North Fork Mountain Trail is an excellent choice. If you are coming from Northern Virginia. It’s about a 3 hour drive. For me, that is my limit for day hikes. However, it’s easy to do an overnight stay. There are lots of hiking, backpacking, and camping options in […]
Hiking Menace? Spider webs are all over forests. Ever walk along a hiking trail and hit one? Once across your face, arms, or body, they are sometimes hard to remove. If I am running into a lot of them, sometimes I’ll carry a spider stick. The spider stick catches the spider webs, so they aren’t […]
No blog on trees and forests would be complete without a post on Chicken of the Woods. These are brilliant orange colored fungi that appear in spring and fall. This post is specifically about the species Laetiporus cincinnatus. Technical Species Information – Laetiporus cincinnatus Laetiporus is a genus of soft-fleshed polypores. You are probably thinking, […]
Praying Mantids – Ambush Predators Recently, I was lucky enough to see a couple praying mantids. I am always excited when I see a wild animal or an interesting insect. Of course, I love fungi too. In Virginia, mature praying mantids are big insects. The ones in these photos were about 3.5” long. They are […]
Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area in Front Royal Virginia is a great place to visit! One reward is the views at Signal Knob. However there is much more. I’ve been going there for years, and it never gets old. You can hike, backpack, camp, fish, or picnic. I usually hike or backpack. Read more to find […]