To Everything There is a Season: Summer to Fall to Winter

Our time on the trail was limited over the summer, but the wildflower offerings were no less spectacular. It is a gift to bear witness to the transition of seasons, when newly emerging leaves display all hues of green. Summer’s understory is a soothing, lustrous emerald carpet, with blooms interspersed and often hiding amidst the greenery. I feel so fortunate to live amidst such awe-inspiring beauty, season after season, year after year.

This post has sat untouched for months on end. This year has brought challenges in an already stressful COVID time. Bernie is undergoing treatment for an aggressive cancer. He is a bad ass cancer warrior, and still gets out on the trail as much as possible. On a good day, he can do about six miles; a slower pace gives us time to fully immerse ourselves in our surroundings. Focusing on one step at a time, on the trail and in life, is what is important. We are taking every opportunity to spend time in places that bring us peace and joy.

Green Knob/River Loop trail- Mt Mitchell

This trail meanders about the Black Mountain campground, an easy trail with beauty galore. It was a hot steamy day, with thunderheads forming as we hiked. Bernie had a camp chair and was settled in the (extremely cold) South Toe River, which was soothing after radiation treatment. My friend Jan and I were envious as we hiked in rainforest-like temperatures, but the scent and beauty of the forest beckoned.

I spotted white campion, and as I often find starry campion (Silene stellata) on the Appalachian Trail, this was a lovely contrast. The Silene genus also includes the eye popping Fire Pink, catalogued in A Bounty of Native Orchids and Wildflowers: Big Ivy in June.

We picked up our pace as dark clouds scuttled across the sky, and distant thunder approached. Despite our intentions for a relaxing lunch by the river, we ate in the car during the deluge. We can’t control the weather, and this hike was a welcome respite and reminder of the healing power of nature.

August in Big Creek, GSMNP

Sometimes, we don’t venture into Great Smokies National Park, for two reasons: dogs are not allowed on the trails. And the crush of people can be a deterrent, at least until you reach sufficient mileage where others have turned back.

The summer and fall, fungi really thrived with the abundance of rain this year. If you are interested in fungi, check out this site: https://www.ashevillefungi.com/pages/fungi-schoolhttps://www.ashevillefungi.com/pages/fungi-school

We did find the ever-elusive and always gorgeous Three Birds Orchid, but they were past their prime; the flowers had closed up shop earlier in the day. Nonetheless, it was wonderful to behold these beauties.

Tanyard Gap to Hurricane Gap, AT

If you haven’t seen the film Fantastic Fungi, a cold winter evening is a good time to catch this treasure and better understand the role of fungi. Fungi are sometimes deadly, always beautiful, potentially medicinal, and always vital to the forest ecology.

This very common orchid, rattlesnake plantain, is a favorite during the late summer, though its striated, deep green leaves are showy regardless of season.

And harebell….always a harbinger of fall. So tiny and delicate, with striking furled petals in a purple-blue shade.

Fritillary butterflies are often overlooked for showier butterflies, such as monarchs and swallowtails, but their role as pollinators is important for both spring and summer flowers found on the trail and in our gardens. https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/fritillary.shtml

These images were taken in my yard, as the chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a monarch butterfly magnet!

Views of the mountains give us perspective on life, and how each season gives way to the next, with stored energy to survive the winter, and prepare for rejuvenation in spring. I love all seasons, but the hope and beauty of spring has a special place in my heart.

Good riddance 2020!

I hope to blog more in the coming weeks, as there have been plenty of hikes, both big and small since August. To help us get out there as much as possible (please join me in saying “fuck cancer”), we bought a camper van a few months ago. This has long been our retirement dream; who the hell cares that we’re not retired yet! We’ve taken a few longer journeys to Texas, the Ozarks and Maine, along with weekend camping trips.

I think that everyone on planet earth is looking forward to a new year in 2021, hopefully with better health on the horizon, and a return to the social context that is the fabric of humanity. We all could use some good news as we leave 2020 behind! Take care and be well.