Sarvisberry

When we lived in Charleston I came to associate my birthday (today) with the blooming of dogwoods and redbuds. Here in Canaan Valley it is too cold and the growing season too short for dogwoods and redbuds (although if one takes a short 30 minute drive down off the mountain there is a relative abundance of them). Instead, we have sarvisberry (serviceberry) trees. Less showy than dogwoods, sarvisberries are none the less an attractive sight - standing out from the leafless trees that surround them.

Local folklore holds that the flowers signal the time when traveling preachers on horseback would return after the snow's retreat...and the ground would be soft enough to bury the winter's dead.

Glad tidings and birthday wishes, eh?

Regardless, like the Junco pictured below, I welcome the sarvisberry's bloom.

After the Snow

Tucker and I visited one of my favorite spots, Blackbird Knob and the Left Fork of Red Creek in the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. I've visited this area numerous times over the years - used to camp here with the boys when they were little - and even brought a boy scout troop here once.

The walk in is down a rocky ridge through an extensive mountain laurel thicket.

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The creek .

Tucker and I explored around the north side of Blackbird Knob where a beaver pond is known to exist. I was curious how they made out after our long cold winter. Six weeks after our last serious snow, and even after several weeks of 70 degree weather, we still found some deep drifts of snow lying up against the hemlock and spruce stands.

The pond is in great shape. I'm sure they were quite warm all winter in their huge lodge.

Tucker explored the dam which extends for well over 150 yards and is 3 feet high.

We didn't see any of the beavers (perhaps if we go back and spend a night?), but we did see a mallard making use of their pond.

And noticed some future inhabitants (and mallard food) getting ready to hatch (frog eggs).

Retirement

In a most fitting coincidence my retirement date coincides with April Fools Day.  It was exactly one year ago today that I left my career as a chemist/researcher/manager behind and embarked on the next phase of my life.  A year later I still haven't quite figured out what this next phase is, but at least I'm having some enjoyment exploring a few of the options.  In recognition of today's significance (at least to me) I chose to spend some of it outside wandering.  

After breakfast I took the pups to the Sods so they could poke around the edges of the last of the melting snow.  They seem to find the edges of the retreating snow drifts most interesting - apparently this is where the best scents are located.

Tucker and I then headed over to the (closed) ski area where we could hike up the easiest trail (amazing how steep it is going up) and ski back down another.  I packed a lunch for us to enjoy while on top.

Tucker climbing Timberline

Lunch spot off the backside on top.

The bumps on Off The Wall are still in excellent shape.

The drop-in to Cherry Bowl Glades

Cherry Bowl Glades.  A favorite out-of-bounds (supposedly off-limits) skiing location purportedly going to be transformed into an official trail for next season.  Not sure if I like this idea or not.

The trail back down.