Fall is in the Air

Fall is in the air here in Boone, NC, although we've had mostly gray skies, and rainy weather for the past four days or so. That aside, I know my favorite season of the year is on its way, and I couldn't be more excited! What about you?

I love the crisp, cool air, and the vibrant display of leaves we get to see here in the mountains. It's a time for corn mazes, pumpkin carving, and apple pickin', some of my favorite fall activities.

I'm all about getting cozy and staying toasty with my fuzzy boots and comfy sweaters. Spending time with family and friends is also one of my main focuses. Something about this change in season always has me counting my blessings and giving thanks more often than usual.

There are so many fun things to do in fall that's it's sometimes hard to fit everything in. Our list is a mile long (not really, but almost). Next month, I'll be sharing posts every week all about FALL! I'll do my best to keep things interesting, or at least visually appealing!

So, tell me, what are your favorite things to do in fall? 

Please share in the comments!

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Saturday Stroll in the Snow {Part 2} | Boone, NC

  

 

With yet another forecast calling for copious amounts of snow, Boone weather is steadily doing its best to test our ability to endure a true winter. It has caught many of the blue ridge mountain residents completely off guard, too, because it doesn't typically start this early. People are scrambling to get preparations in order and we are no exception. This past weekend, we finally winterized our windows to help keep our precious heat from escaping -- it makes such a big difference. Just thought I'd share some additional images from the snowy stroll I took last weekend. I'm really looking forward to getting out and capturing some more of the winter scenes the the Boone weather brings. What's the weather looking like where you are?

Related Links:

• Saturday Stroll in the Snow {Part 1} 
• WW has a Facebook Page now! Follow me here: http://www.facebook.com/wayfaringwanderer

Saturday Stroll in the Snow | Boone, NC

 

Yesterday, here in Boone NC, we had our first substantial snow of the winter season. When I say substantial, I mean a few inches, but it did snow all day long and throughout the evening. I managed to tear myself away from my movie marathon to take a walk along the Greenway Trail near my house.

The snow was steadily streaming from above as I attempted to capture the winter scenes. It wasn't the light and fluffy kind that gently floats down to the ground either. Instead, I had to endure being pelted by tiny balls of ice that were determined to drench me and my camera.

Since the conditions weren't favorable I had the entire trail to myself. I didn't pass a single soul during my walk through the winter wonderland. I could tell, though, that people had braved the snowy conditions at some point because I saw many sets of footprints during my trek.

It feels like it's been too long since I've set out to take any nature pictures. And it's been even longer since I've had the opportunity to get any pictures of snow. Hopefully, this season I'll have the chance to get out and shoot all sorts of winter photos.

While I am looking forward to copious amounts of snow and the changes that the season brings, I am also thinking about how I'll combat the inevitable blues that will ensue at some point. Taking snowy strolls with my camera in hand to capture winter pictures is definitely something I'll be encouraging myself to do more of, that's for sure.

What is your take on snow? Love it? Hate it? Have you had any snow show up in your neck of the woods yet?

Reflections of a Lazy Photographer

I was unsure about what to expect when I planned to attend Grandfather Mountain's Nature Photography Weekend. When I got to the registration table at 3, they simply told me to GO SHOOT! until the first program, which wouldn't take place until 8 or so. I decided to start my day at 'The Mile High Swinging Bridge', since it was located at the very top. From there, I would work my way back down to the museum where the presentations would be held.

Before I stepped foot out of the car, it was apparent that an unusual amount of people had tripods set up, and pointed in the same direction. There were the regular tourists visiting the mountain as well, but you could definitely tell who was there for the photography event. We also had these nifty little buttons that distinguished us between other visitors. I noticed early on that most people go off in their own direction to seek out that perfect shot, while very few shoot in groups. I eventually adopted a buddy for the weekend after my first day of shooting alone.



Unbeknownst to me, the most important event of the weekend seemed to be the photography contest between the participants. I knew that there would be a friendly competition, but I didn't realize that it was a big deal. Early on, though, I determined that there would be some pretty stiff competition between this group of well-seasoned photographers. They only had room for 165 photographers, and from what they mentioned the weekend sold out in a matter of hours. I felt like I was among a pretty elite group of photographers who had many years of experience between them. They also had some enormous lenses, too, lenses that cost more than my car, probably. I'm not so sure that I could carry a 600mm lens, much less have money in my budget to purchase one! Haha

Even though programs/talks would be going on until Sunday, photographers only had until 3pm on Saturday to pick out their 3 photos to enter in any four categories. Regular visitors were out numbered by the laptop toting photographers in the restaurant as they scrutinized and selected their favorite shots. I attempted to be as discerning as possible when dwindling down my picks. At the time, I felt like I chose images that I thought would work best for the contest, and not the ones that were personal favorites. As you can see, I sometimes favor the fuzzy and soft while others would most likely scoff at the out-of-focus image. In their world, bokeh is not the brilliantly, bright circles of joy I consider the effect to be. No, they are seen as circles of confusion! Well, if hunting bokeh is wrong, I don't want to be right :D

It's not that I can't produce, because I've beaten out higher odds with the annual Appalachian Mountain Photography competition, but I didn't feel as confident about this one as I do when I enter photos in that competition. Compared to what other photographers captured my images were far less spectacular, but I'm okay with that. I gained something much more valuable over the weekend than the recognition and award certificate passed out to the winners. I know, that's what losers say :D haha

The hard way, I learned that I have become a lazy photographer, and I really don't want to continue allowing that to happen. I'm capable of so much more. One thing I noticed was that I happened to be the only participant NOT carrying around a tripod, which is considered an essential to anyone who cares about shooting tack-sharp images, especially when I was using my 70-200mm lens. But, no, I didn't take my tripod out of the car once! Another crucial issue I came to realize was that I have grown very impatient when it comes to getting the best shot possible. I'm just not taking the time to compose a shot or search for a better image when I find something I think is worth capturing. There is definitely room for major growth that I plan to tackle immediately!



More than figuring out key areas I need to improve upon, I'm most grateful for this fresh (and much needed) dose of enthusiasm that was infused within me due to the inspiring photographers who presented and shared their mesmerizing work, as well as the stunning images captured by participants over the weekend. I hope that I can use this newfound excitement to get past this plateau and take my photography to new heights!

Honolulu's Most Popular Hikes

It's hard to go to Hawaii and not commune with nature. However, there are some really great things you can do to immerse yourself even farther instead of sticking to the white, sandy beaches. My favorite way to do this is by taking a hike! The island of Oahu is riddled with trails if you know where to look, but there are two trails in particular that get all of the praise. So popular, in fact, that these outdoor adventures can see hundreds of tourists everyday! The two favored hikes in Honolulu are very different from one another in the realm of landscape and atmosphere. Now, two hikes in one day may sound like a bit too much, but I chose to do so because they were very close to one another. And since I was staying on the other end of the island, I figured I should hit them both up on the same day.



My first stop was the Manoa Falls trail located just outside of Honolulu in Manoa Valley. I am a sucker for waterfalls, so I had to get a glimpse of this 160-foot tall mammoth. Since this unbelievably lush rainforest was deserted at this hour of the morning (7:30am), I decided that I would forgo taking pictures until I reached the end only because I thought that it would stay that way.



I walked amidst the gigantic Banyan trees flanked by the everpresent stream. As I made my way up the narrow pathway, portions of the trail were framed by bamboo forests. I found this trail to have a very gentle grade, and at only 1 mile each way, it's one almost anyone could undertake. One thing to be careful of on this particular trail is the mud, because it can be slippery! It receives quite a bit of rain from what I have read, although maybe it hadn't rained much lately, because the cascade was meager. It wasn't too terribly disappointing though, since it took little effort to get there.



Remember how I told you that I saved taking pictures until after I reached the falls? Yeah, well, that was a HUGE mistake! On my way down I passed numerous guided tour groups that made it nearly impossible to get a shot without someone being in the way. That is the last time I wait to take photos again!! Seriously. Who needs a tour guide to take a hike? I don't. Nature is free :D



Parking, however, is not! I didn't find this out until I got back to the Jeep where a little yellow note asking me to see the attendant regarding payment was stuck to my window. Be forewarned that they charge $5 to park in the parking lot at the trail head. I got away with only paying $2 because I claimed stupidity. Sucka! Seriously, though. I didn't see any signs that said there was a charge, and I certainly didn't overlook an attendant!



The next stop, Diamond Head Crater, is considered the most popular trail. It likely sees twice the amount of hikers that Manoa Falls does. Unlike the gentle grade of the last trail, this one is much more vigorous. Even though you start off on a concrete path that seems forgiving, it quickly morphs into switchback city!



From the crater floor to the summit you will climb 560 feet in less than a mile (0.8 to be exact). By the time you weave your way through the switchbacks, you are begging for mercy as the sun is blazing and the sweat starts pouring. It would do you good to be very well hydrated before attempting this trail unless you are a fan of fainting.



You begin to think that the worst is over, but that's when you are met with a steep concrete stairway consisting of 74 steps! Afterward, you get a chance to cool off in the tunnels that take you below the surface. The closer you feel to the top, though, the further away from reality you are because after stepping out of that dark tunnel, you are standing at the foot of yet another staircase! Some just stood there, mouth agape, staring in disbelief at the towering approach. More steps!?!? Yes, 99 of those bad boys :D And just when you think you can't take another footstep, they make you climb a spiral staircase!!



At this point I felt somewhat tortured, but the end was getting near. I could feel it. Okay, well, not as close as I hoped....More stairs?!?! So, let me get this straight, we've scaled a windy path of switchbacks, a 74 step set of stairs, burrowed through a tunnel, climbed another staircase with 99 grueling steps, spiral staircase with 52 stairs and last but not least a 3rd set of stairs with 54 more steps! Holy mama!! Lemme catch my breath......



I suppose that this trail wouldn't be so popular if the views weren't worth every drop of sweat shed along the way. The vista was most definitely a stunning sight with the Pacific ocean and Wakiki coastline in full view. As a matter of fact, this is an ideal spot to see a panoramic view of the Leeward side of the island.



One good thing about hikes that make you work so hard going up, you know it's all downhill from the top! Despite how horrible I may make this hike sound, I saw so many different types of people trudging to the summit. I even passed a lady who was wearing high heels! No lie. And she did make it to the top...eventually :D

Related Links:

• Celebrating my Birthday Hawaiin-style!
• 6 Sights to See on Highway 83 (Part 1)
• 6 Sights to See on Highway 83 (Part 2)
• A Place of Peace & Serenity: Byodo-In Temple

The Difference Between Delicious & Dangerous!!

There is a fine line between delicious and dangerous when trying to determine whether or not a wild mushroom found on the forest floor is safe for the dinner table, or poisonous to consume. The latter being what you want to avoid at all costs because digesting unsafe fungi can cause serious illness, and in some cases, even death!

[WARNING: Never attempt to eat a mushroom unless you are able to positively identify the specimen in question!!]

Warnings, like the one above, can scare you from even considering such a thing as hunting mushrooms for fear of the unthinkable, but this is why it is wise to exercise extreme caution.

Don't Give Up Yet...

There are a few varieties of edible mushrooms that can be recognized by simple characteristics, such as shape, size, and color. A few of which we learned about while bushwhacking through the ASU Woods a few weekends ago. Our main objective during this PACT hosted Edible Mushroom Tour with Dr. John Walker, an ASU Biologist, who specializes in Mycology (The study of fungi), was to seek out the shrooms and learn identification techniques with the help of a professional guide.



I expected that during the duration of these explanations I would hear a ton of words that I hadn't ever heard before--and I did. It was almost like listening to someone speak a foreign language! One quick and basic rule of thumb that I thoroughly understood, though, was to completely avoid all fungi that had gills.



While there may be some that are safe to consume, it is still extremely difficult to identify them. Even a highly trained instructor is hesitant to eat from that category. Not something you want to take a chance with.

Endless Possibilities....

During our trudge through the forest, we encountered many different varieties of mushrooms. While they are all pretty too look at, I now know what to steer clear of, as well as a few tasty treats we could take home should we get lucky enough to come across them again. We did, however, have the very good fortune of accidentally stumbling upon a patch of Black Trumpets when trying to find our way back to the trail.





After a few hours of foraging, we were invited to go back to Dr. Walker's class room where he had a makeshift cooking station handy so that we could taste test what we found out in the field. We devoured the tender, crispy bits while at the same time trying to savor the flavor of the fleshy fungi. This was the part where a smaller group was favorable since that meant more to go around :)

Gain Knowledge & Build Confidence....

I actually feel a lot more confident about deeming certain delectables safe since attending this foray. I don't want to get into the technical verification 'tests' involved here on WW because I don't feel qualified to provide you with the proper information, but if you're interested in learning more, the info is plentiful. Whether you find a local specialist who might enjoy giving a tour in your hometown, or you dig into a comprehensive guide book to sharpen your skills, be sure that you do your homework before "testing the waters."



You can start by doing some research on what you could expect to find based on your geographical location. Look for, not only those that are edible, but others to avoid, as well as possibly poisonous lookalikes. One thing we didn't touch base on too much were spore prints, which is supposed to be another great way for the less experienced to identify edible wild mushrooms.



Yes, there are risks involved, but you just have to be aware and well informed to remain on the safe side. Even if you only head out with the intention of admiring and/or photographing them, think about going on your own mushroom hunting expedition once armed with new knowledge. I promise that you will make all sorts of interesting discoveries when you are closely paying attention to those often overlooked details!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend :o)

The 3 Easiest Waterfall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park (Part 2)

3. DOYLES RIVER FALLS


(Upper Falls)

For our last day in Shenandoah National Park we picked this trail because there were not one, but two waterfalls! The round trip hike of 3.2 miles is moderate on the way down, but the return climb is STEEP! So steep it seems that you are pretty much at a half-jog the whole way down. Almost too quickly we reached the Upper Falls, from there we decided to bypass it because of the crowd and kept going until we got to the Lower Falls.

After taking our time on the sharp switchbacks, the 63 feet of water furiously spilling down the rockface came into our view. I charged toward the small landing beneath the falls, but was stopped dead in my tracks by what I though to be a live snake! I screamed!! Cody, my knight in shining armor, quickly came to my aid. Upon closer examination we realized it was not moving and was a little bloody--someone killed it. Strategically, we removed it from the path so no one would have a heart attack from having the daylights scared out of them, like I almost did.


(Small Cascade)

A little more cautiously this time I made my way down and set up my tripod to get a picture. I didn't have too much luck here because the sun was shining directly on the top of the falls (overexposure), so I thought best to move on. On the way back out we stopped to see the Upper Falls, it was still crowded. The grotto-like setting was nearly impossible to capture without a moving subjects hopping into the scene. Somehow, I got lucky and was able to fire off a few shots.


(Lower Falls)

Midway, I remember thinking to myself, "This isn't too bad!?" I even protested saying so out loud just in case I would be jinxing myself by doing so. Of course, I did! That's where things started going "downhill".....It was BAD, real BAD! I almost wanted to warn everyone we passed to turn back, especially when we came to a lady resting on a bench on the way down! She had no idea. Without saying a word, we trudged along. There were moments that I wanted to die or either pass out (just a tad dramatic), but without incident, we made it back to the trailhead.


In case you missed it:
The 3 Easiest Waterfall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
(Part 1)

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The 3 Easiest Waterfall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

There is nothing that I like more than to see the awe-inspiring beauty of a flowing cascade. What can some times make that desire difficult to achieve is the time and effort it can take to get there. Since there are no waterfalls that are visible from Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, to see one you must be prepared to take a hike. Cody and I were looking to maximize our time, and at the same time minimize exhaustion, so we set our sights on some of the shorter and less difficult treks. Of the nine waterfalls in SNP, though none are easy, there are a few you might find more manageable, but every bit as beautiful.

1. DARK HOLLOW FALLS



This particular waterfall appeals to a wide audience because it is easier to get to, which means that it can be pretty popular. Even so, we thought the 1.4 mile round trip would be a great excursion to start off with. The trail hugs Hog Camp Branch as you make your way down the tree-lined path, which can become steep at times.



Once you reach the bottom a series of rushing cascades create an impressive 70 foot display (as you see above). I was lucky to have located a spot to shoot early on beacause it wasn't very long before a rather large group joined us down below, and by join us, I mean, blocked my view! :D



The clouds were being even less cooperative, so somewhat frustrated, we made our way back across the river to begin our ascent. I remember taking a break or two on our way back up, but all in all, it wasn't so bad.

2. LEWIS FALLS



After a short nap at the campsite we awakened with vigor and were ready to tackle another trail. This one was really close to the Big Meadows campground, our homebase. Another bonus was that this was a short stroll at 2 miles. The footpath to Lewis Falls was strewn with rocks and can be tricky, so sure footing was a must! Once the sound of rushing water becomes louder a panoramic view of Pine Grove Hollow opens up before you. The end brings you to a rock-walled observation area where you can view the 81 foot falls from afar. I felt a little jipped because that wasn't what I expected, but it was still lovely. Other than having to navigate the rocky terrain, the return hike was fairly mild. We did, however, almost cross paths with a skunk, but thankfully he was in his own little world!

3. DOYLES RIVER FALLS:

Click here for Part 2!

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Don't get too close!

Were the words ringing in our ears as the ranger hung her head out the check-in station window.
I didn't pay attention because I was already keeping my distance, but there were many who weren't. The second sighting was even worse. Just down the road, minutes after our first black bear sighting, were two more black bears roving through the forest. A good indicator that a black bear is in the vicinity would be to pay close attention to how many cars are unlawfully parked on the side of the road, not to mention the herd of people. Now, be sure to stay behind the 'not-to-bright' layer of people who are standing way too close in the event that the black bears attack!

Alright, I'll be straight with you, black bear attacks are extremely rare, but in the event that you come face-to-face with one someday, here is some advice I found for dealing with such a situation.

Speak calmly and slowly back away. Doing so identifies you as a person, will show that you are non-threatening, and will allow some space between you and the black bear. Cody's advice to me, prior to our camping trip, was to not run away. Whatever you do, DON'T RUN! Their natural instinct is to chase you whether they want to or not.

Now, I also read that since they are usually very timid, you can scare them away by yelling, banging pans, or by make any other sorts of loud and obnoxious noises to scare them.

Thankfully, we weren't involved in any encounters that required rash decision making!



They were all rather difficult to photograph because of the tall grass and constant movement. Luckily, Cody got this awesome video so that we could share the experience with you!

PSA: For the record, I just want to say that it is NOT OKAY to park your vehicle in the middle of the road, mush less get out of the vehicle that is holding up traffic! Who does that?! Seriously. Especially on a busy road like Skyline Drive! I was dumbfounded by that display of stupidity.
Please, don't do that :D

Wildlife, Wilderness and Waterfalls! Oh, my!

We experienced it all....and then some!
I want nothing more than to tell you the details about our camping trip.
Instead, I need to be a grown up and focus on meeting deadlines this week.
Hopefully, I will sneak in some time and have a field trip ready for Friday!

Until then,
MEET THE LOCALS :D


Shenandoah National Park was teeming with wildlife.
Deer were the most abundant! And, bold enough to walk straight through our campsite.
O', and how cute the fawns were curled up, basking in a patch of sunlight just behind our tent one morning.

But, after seeing so many (100+), we were like, big whoop. A deer.


However, we did have a few other encounters that were a lot more intriguing!
Stay Tuned.

Headed Down South via the Blue Ridge Parkway

After nearly an entire week of rain, we were rewarded with the most glorious weather. That is precisely why I wanted to make the most of our weekend. I didn't make a fuss about planning anything specifically, but I knew that I wanted to see a waterfall after such heavy rainfall. And even though I knew the beautiful bright blue skies wouldn't be the best for taking waterfall photos, I didn't care.

On a whim, we headed down south. Having no real destination in mind allowed us to take the long and sometimes painfully slow way. The pace barely matters since you get to witness the most breathtaking views while riding along The Blue Ridge Parkway. I felt like it had been too long since we white-knuckled our way down those winding roads.

Our drive ended at the peak of the Blue Ridge Parkway on top of Mount Pisgah. A perfect place to end up since you can find various free camping within the Pisgah National Forest boundaries. However, I didn't wish to forgo the luxury of a bathroom this time, so we set up shop in the national park service campground. It only set us back $16!

Spoiling ourselves even further, we made the tough choice of eating at the Pisgah Inn's restaurant. We almost chose not to have dinner there because of confusion with the menu prices. They only had their pricey specials posted on an LCD screen while the "real" menu was posted on a bulletin board 10 feet away near the bathroom!? We accidentally discovered it while lingering around the waiting area. I was trying to get Cody to talk me into justifying the expense. He's good at that when he wants something :) I was glad we got to eat there. The view was to die for and the food wasn't too bad either. Before making our way back to the campgrounds we took a short drive to find an ideal spot to catch the sunset. It was a splendid way to end the day.

Wanna see the landmarks we visited on Sunday?
If so, I invite you to come back this Friday for a field trip!

Hunt Fish Falls

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Wilson Creek Area
Lost Cove Trail

Here is a more detailed shot of the waterfall from the overnight hike we did last weekend.
In the other post, I only shared the overview of the swimming hole.

I took this photo around 7:00am on Sunday morning.

I don't usually wake up that early, but in the woods I do.
Sleeping above the rushing falls lulled me to sleep.
Hiking and/or being near water definitely calms me.
Sleeping right next to it serves double duty.

I wouldn't say that I had a wonderful night's sleep.
Because I woke up several times throughout the night.
I was trying to find a more comfortable position.
Even so, I still awakened feeling refreshed.

This photo of the falls was taken in the late afternoon on Saturday.
The lighting was very different from the above shot.
One, early morning, and one, late afternoon.



I felt uneasy stumbling around the slick rock with my camera and tripod.
I took my time though and made certain that I had sure footing before taking a step.
The last thing I would want to do was take a tumble!

This was the small waterfall off to the side of Hunt Fish Falls.



It seems as though it is normally overlooked
compared to the main attraction,
but I thought it was lovely.
I think the recent rain had something to do with it.

I had to pull off some fancy maneuvers to get these photos.
I found myself laying on my stomach, sprawled out across the rock.
Thankfully, no one but Cody was around to see this!




I can't wait to see more waterfalls this autumn season.
We'll definitely be out and about as much as possible.
This weekend, we didn't do anything exciting, just watched a ton of movies.
So until we have some new and interesting stuff to show you, I hope you enjoyed
a close up of Hunt Fish Falls.

• To read a little more about the backpacking trip, click here.

• To see an overview of Hunt Fish Falls, click here.

Backpacking in Lost Cove

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

Wilson Creek Area
Lost Cove Trail
7.5 Miles

Click to Enlarge Map

Instead of a weekend camping trip, we opted to go on an overnight hike.
Normally, 7.5 miles is something that can easily be done in one day,
however, we decided to stretch it out a little further so we could take our time.

The entire outing was planned by Cody--he did an awesome job!
On top of that, he carried our gear, and navigated our way through most of the hike.
Some portions of the trail weren't marked very well and required some orienteering skills.


and the GPS helped too....


Thanks for being the mule, Cody :)




The major challenge we had to overcome during this hike were the creek crossing dotting the trail.
Our second day of hiking there came a point when we
stopped worrying about taking our shoes off and hiked with water logged feet!



I called this an overnight hike because we camped in the middle of our trek.
Leaving Boone midmorning, we drove out to Lost Cove--45 minutes from town.
Upon reaching the trail head, I was a little surprised to see a caravan of vehicles.
I soon realized that this particular trail was very popular due to the watering holes.
We passed the first waterfall entirely since it was way overcrowded.
Continuing on, we reached a second waterfall, which was equally popular.
Although, this one was a lot more picturesque.

I didn't spend a whole lot of time trying to take photos of the falls because
there were too many people running, splashing, and jumping around.
Instead, I took a nap in the tent which was right above the falls.
Later, after everyone was gone, I made my way over to take a few photos.



In the evening we cooked some soup on the camp stove, and passed out early.
We chose not to bring any games since this wasn't car camping and weight mattered.
Early to bed meant that we were early to rise, albeit only early enough to catch a mere
glimpse of the blazing orange sunrise; I couldn't get moving fast enough!

I have some more photos to share, so be sure to check back in :o)


I'm wondering, when is the last time any of you have been on a camping/backpacking trip?!