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A Hike in the North Carolina Mountains
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Posted: Oct/05/2008 7:24 PM PST
So last weekend was the annual "residential retreat" for my faith community. We had a lovely setting for the retreat, at a conference center nestled deep in a mountain cove. Naturally, when there was free time, some of us got together for a hike. We followed a trail along a beautiful mountain stream, flush with recent rainfall, the ground profuse with fresh fungi (you've seen some of those on the "mushroom" thread if you were paying attention), and the last flowers of summer still blooming, including the rare and elusive ____________. See if you can identify it! Attachments:   |
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Posted: Oct/05/2008 11:13 PM PST
We hike a lot so I will take a stab at your pretty flower. My guess is Gentiana andrewsii~Andrea |
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Posted: Oct/06/2008 6:02 AM PST
Yep, that's what I identified it as, Andrea. Not that I would have known the Latin name. I'm all about common names, no taxonomist am I! To me it is a "closed" or "shy" gentian. It was such a delight to see it, so late in the season, looking so . . . demure. Are they as rare out west as they are here in the Southern Appalachians? Here I know of maybe a dozen places where they can be seen. |
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Posted: Oct/06/2008 10:30 AM PST
Unfortunately, I have not ever seen one in the wild, only in hiking books. The fields at Mt. Rainier are a breathtaking tapestry of flowers. My husband hiked it a few years ago, I wanted to last year-but I have a child (24yo) who has a fear of me falling to my death-I am trying to respect that. I stick on the lower trails, but we do hike through amazing alpine fields all over. We are hiking the Grand Canyon again next year and our group may venture closer to your neck of the woods the following year.. We really enjoy exploring different areas of the USA. Have you hiked around Mesa Verde? |
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Posted: Oct/06/2008 3:53 PM PST
I don't get to travel a whole lot - for economic reasons - but I did make a trip to Washington a few years ago and spent some memorable days in the Cascades. Only two at Mt. Rainier, but they were spectacular. The weather was perfect. I have many memories of the incredible scenery, reinforced by my photographs. Attachments:    |
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Posted: Oct/06/2008 5:50 PM PST
Postcard beautiful, Steve. Can you believe how perfect those photos look? We have a great photo of my late husband holding our girls when they were little with the mountain behind-like yours only add the three people-one of my favorites. I am so happy to hear you have visited our lovely state AND were able to spend time in the mountains. Thanks for sharing those breathtaking photos.~Andrea |
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