19 May 2024 A Spring Day in the Allegheny National Forest

As the years fly past, the beauty of each day in the woods takes a special meaning.

14 October 2023 Closer to Home

We were winding down vacation with a few short hikes while geocaching in the Allegheny National Forest. It was a gentle fall day.

2 July 2023 A Pond in the ANF

We were walking a trail in the Allegheny National Forest when these dragonflies were spotted near a pond by the trail. 

20 May 2022 Walking the Tanbark Trail

 We always set aside a day in May to take a short hike on the Tanbark Trail.  This section of the Tanbark is filled with painted trilliums, other wildflowers and occasionally a few birds that I actually see.

Starflower twins

One of the many painted trilliums

It's too early for oxalis to bloom, but there were plenty of plants.

Clintonia was gathered on the top of a tall rock face.  There were no spikes visible signaling potential future blooms.

Rose-twisted stalk was in bloom at the top of a tall upright rock.  We had missed this plant for years until another couple pointed it out.

Ali spotted large-flowered bellwort.

Indian Cucumber Root getting ready to blossom.

Fringed Polygala

8 August 2021 After the Flood

 The stream was down which meant I could start the heavy work of building some features to hopefully lessen a repeat.  It was heavy work, but eventually done.

We were able to mix in the work with hunting for a little wildlife.  I had no idea how many crayfish the stream supported.

Salamanders were also a fun distraction.

It wasn't until we stopped later for a walk at a favorite spot that I realized how bad my knee hurt.  This was not a good thing.

9 August 2020 Walking the ANF Beanfields

 

4 July 2020 A Holiday Walk Along the Allegheny

I have been tired from the strain of managing COVID risks at work while handling all my other normal responbilities so a shorter drive on this holiday weekend seemed like a chance for some rest while still enjoying a hike.  We stopped in Tidiute for a hike on ANF lands along the Allegheny River.  The trail has seen some work since our last visit.  It tended to be overgrown and eventually a bushwhack.  Now it is an inviting walk on an old railroad grade.

With the overgrowth we hadn't noticed these shelves along the hillside.

The river was a popular place today.  No masks, plenty of alcohol, and shallow points for stopping to socialize made for a COVID cocktail for visitors on the water.  Hiking a trail takes work and gave us a deserted trail.

The falls were the target of our walk.  We didn't expect much flow, but were interested in seeing the falls.  Now that we know the trail is in better condition and there are real birding opportunities here, we will probably visit in the spring.

Lizzie never misses a chance to get wet on the trail.

13 June 2020 Butterflies, Birds, and Wildflowers

We were walking the bean field today to check our geocaches and maybe hide a new one.  June is too early for the real show in the field, but we were happy to spot a few monarchs. 

This song sparrow was one of many hanging out in the thorny growth.

We had seen wild delphinums here before but assumed they were lost when the bean field was replanted a few years ago.  Today we were both happy to see they were here as strong as ever.