Friday Roundup - October 4, 2013

 

 Autumn colors in the woods off the AT (Sec 5 - Oct 20, 2012)

There will be a Friday roundup post, but due to a family illness (everyone is doing fine!) over the last week, I haven't had a chance to spend much time blogging. Later today and this evening, I'll update this post with more links. In the meanwhile, remember that the A.T. is closed (see the email from Bob Proudman from ATC). There are other activities going on - an Oktoberfest at the Frontier Culture Museum (see link on 'What Is Going On' tab), the State Fair of Virginia, Monticello is open ...... check around if you don't want to stay home on a beautiful October weekend.

If you have not seen the post on The History of the Howardsville Turnpike, take a look ... and visit the Backroads book link at the bottom if you find you are interested in the people and history of the area.

Links:

• Something I didn't expect to be posting today ...... I belong to pct-l which is a 'list serve' for the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT is experiencing terrible weather with snow ... in places the trail is disappearing as snow accumulates and hikers are getting lost. Search and Rescue (SAR) is busy. There is a missing Japanese hiker .... no one has heard from him since Sept. 25th. I ran across an open group FB page where his friends are gathering info for SAR. Having had personal experience with this situation myself some years ago and also having served as a 'contact' for hikers on the John Muir trail, leaving this sort of info with somebody should the worst happen is very critical. A couple of examples: What color is your pack and clothes? This gives SAR something specific to look for. What gear are you carrying? This gives SAR vital info as to how long you might be able to survive and in what conditions.  What medical conditions do you have (self explanatory). Take a look at the FB page as this hiker's friends post his gear - SAR  is actively monitoring, you will see their posts  ...... when you next hit the trail, learn from this situation and leave this type of info with your family, friends or a trusted contact. Update: per FB, Taka located, alive & well! :-)

Emergency search and rescue for the missing Japanese hiker Takahisa Nezu.

More links on the PCT trail conditions & hiker rescues:

Trail Journal with incredible snow pics! 

Hikers on Pacific Crest Trail in Washington Rescued; 2 Still Missing

• Want to be a 'maintainer', but can't get out on the AT for some reason? Adopt a BRP overlook! The more 'dramatic' overlooks on the Rockfish to Reeds section of BRP are already adopted, but there are a couple others available and a few just south of R2R that might be of interest:

Adopt An Overlook (BRP)

Ridge District Parkway Overlooks (Adopted & Available)

• Virginia Department of Forestry:

Fall Foliage in Virginia

• Fun in the Woods - Massachusetts AT Committee Project Blog:

Another Day, Another Privy

• Our Kettle Corn friend on Afton Mountain has a Facebook page! Evidently, the fall apples are back, too.  

 King's Gourmet Popcorn

• Virginia Herpetology Society quiz .... (Note to Claudia .... one is a snake, so click at your own risk!)

Can you correctly identify these native herps?

• Those fascinating sturgeon in the James River ........

Swimming With Dinosaurs

Big Sturgeons Visiting Downtown Richmond Again

• Shenandoah National Park:

I Saw A Ghost

Sad News

Orb Spiders

Civilian Conservation Corp

A few more fall pictures from our 2012 October worktrip ........

 

The view of Humpback Rocks from the Glass Hollow Overlook

 

Bright blue sky and gold leaves - always a great color combo.

 

 Nature's paintbrush .........

 

Fall flowers in light purple

 

Looking east .... Rockfish Valley from Glass Hollow Overlook

 ♦ ♦ ♦

(Photos: Merlot - Oct. 20, 2012)

Friday Roundup - September 13, 2013

 

The view of Humpback Rocks from the Visitor's Center

 & Mountain Farm (BRP mp 5.8).

This weekend, according to meteorologists like Wxrisk.com, we're going to get some "brrrrrrrrrr!" weather, with temps early Sunday morning in the 40's. What great weather for getting out on the trail for hiking and backpacking! If you're looking for something to do that's "off trail", in Shenandoah National Park it's Wilderness Weekend Sept. 14 & 15, while on the Blue Ridge Parkway the Sunday event is a Harvest Festival with a harvest and craft theme that goes on all day at the Humpback Rocks Visitor's Center and Mountain Farm. The band Blue Mountain Sunrise will be performing from 2:00 - 4:00 (I called the Visitor's Center this morning and confirmed this info).

Reminder: Next Saturday (Sept. 21) is our work trip on the AT. This month, there will be a picnic following the work day at the Humpback Rocks Picnic Area. The deadline to sign up for the work trip is Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Meanwhile, back on the blogosphere this past week, I'm going to start with my very favorite 'share' on the R2R Facebook page, thanks to the Virginia Herpetological Society. Getting kids out into nature is one of the best things you can do, both for the kids and yourself, and the video they posted is proof positive ....the kids' comments and excitement while watching salamander eggs hatching is priceless. Enjoy!

• Virginia Herpetological Society

Kids react to salamander eggs hatching [video]

Quiz - Can you correctly identify all nine native Virginia snakes? 

• Shenandoah National Park

Traces of Autumn Colors 

Hyper...WHAT?

Heart-halt and spirit-lame, 

• ATC 

"Why Do You Love the Appalachian Trail" 1st Place Winner 2012 [video]

Boulder Crest Retreat for Wounded Warriors in Bluemont, Virginia .... right down the street from the AT!

Note: Did you know Bluemont, Virginia has it's own waltz? It's a beautiful piece of music ..... 

Listen to the Bluemont Waltz (Button & Bows)

• Warrior Hike

Rangely to Monson ME - pictures

• Konnarock Crew - How do you know when a project is difficult? When you have to clip into a safety rope to sidehill! Konnarock also called on some alumni to help with the difficult rock work and from the pictures, they're still up to the challenge.

Bluff City Supercrew!!

• Pictures

Butterfly and a bee on yellow flowers (SNP)

The Mountain Farm at the Visitor's Center (milepost 5.8 on the BRP):

 

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend ...... on the trail or otherwise!

♦ ♦ ♦

(All photos: Merlot, August 2012) 

Friday Roundup - September 6, 2013

 

View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the Shenandoah Valley on a hazy, late August day.

It was a light week on the 'blogosphere' after a busy Labor Day holiday weekend, but definitely some good links to be found. Two more weeks until our "3rd Saturday" work trip .... and this month there will be a maintainer picnic after the crews come off the trail! Plan to sign up early if you want to attend.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Chesapeake Bay Field Office.

TONIGHT! NASA's moon launch will be visible on the East Coast — or online.  

Update: hope you got to see this ..... I did! 

Watched it launch online, then ran out and saw it in the night sky!

• Shenandoah National Park

American Lady on Milkweed

Artifacts in SNP

Ruby-throated hummingbird

History: Fruit Trees In The Park 

• ATC - Our sympathies to the family and many friends of Jean. All 3 videos are good .... even the "Do It Right" one.
  

"Why Do You Love the Appalachian Trail" 3rd Place Winner (2012) [Video]

Jean Cashin - In Memoriam

Emory & Henry College offers course credit for hiking Appalachian Trail

3 minutes on the AT with Jennifer Pharr Davis [Video]

via ATC share .... Do It Right: How To Poop In The Woods [video]

• Konnarock Crews - a rock drill was used on the New River Relo. Thunder Ridge is NBATC, nice picture of the bridge over the James River.

Konnarock: Week 11 - New River Relo ; Thunder Ridge Relo

• Wildlife Center of Virginia - the third camera is a color camera! The cubs got watermelon this week .... oh my, what a good time they had and what a mess they made!
  

Three Critter Cams!

• Jolly Rovers - a sense of humor to match their outstanding rock work.
  

"Mr. August" (view at your own risk! :-)

Hmmm, maybe we won't be doing that sawyer calendar after all!

 Shenandoah River views:

 

 

The weather is supposed to be terrific this weekend ..... have a good one!

 ♦ ♦ ♦

(Photos: Merlot)

Friday Roundup - August 30, 2013

 

 (Photo: Dave W. from Aug 17 work trip)

There was no roundup last Friday because of all the work trip crew posts, so there have been lots of "happenings" in the two weeks since the last August 16 roundup:

• Warrior Hike  They are in the White Mountains with some great photos.

Lincoln NH to Gorham NH (19 photos)

• Sturgeon in the James River  Because of our volunteer work at Presquile NWR, we became aware of the sturgeon research. Activity has picked up with the fall spawning. The last link following the two sturgeon video links is to the blog posts on the work we've done at Presquile:

VCU Sturgeon Research Study (video)

Sturgeon breaching in James River (video)

Worktrips at Presquile NWR

• Wildlife Center of Virginia   Bear cubs, fawns and more!

Picture of (many!) cubs in newly cleaned pen & link to critter cam.

Fawn Round-Up 2013 (video)

Mr. Dodo and the Rototiller (article from Virginia Living)

• Virginia Herpetological Society They post lots of good, interesting information & have helped me with some tree frog IDs.

Native Va plant: Rattlesnake-Master 

What is it? 

Northern watersnake & info on ecdysis (shed)

Copperheads commonly mistaken for other snakes (Article) 

• Shenandoah National Park  Great pictures and information, as usual. SNP photographers rock!

Five-lined skinks

Harvestman (common name 'daddy long legs')

Nature closeup

Beneficial fire (Table Mountain Pine)

Eastern Towhee

Oppossum 

Shenandoah's Trail Crew 

Founder's Day & NPS birthday (pictures and info):

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the NPS 

Vintage photo .... 'north entrance' of SNP

Tinted vintage postcard of Skyline Drive with Stony Man’s profile face in the mountain.

Photo shows the SNP dedication ceremony held on July 3, 1936 with Pres. Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

• Konnarock Crews  Blog updates

Week 9: July 11-15, 2013 (Crew 1: Little Rock Knob, TN ; Crew 2: Rocky Fork Relo) 

Week 10: July 18-22, 2013 (Crew 1: New River Relo ; Crew 2: Rocky Fork Relo)

• Fun in the Woods: Massachusetts AT Committee Projects Blog  Our fellow maintainers on the AT, just north by a few states.

Field Clearing--Goose Pond Rd and Tyringham Valley  

Upper Goose Pond Cabin Maintenance  

A New Roof for North Wilcox Privy  

• Jolly Rovers  From their FB post: "The Rovers are in New Hampshire! This album shows our first full crew trip outside of NY and NJ. Teaming up with the Monadnock Conservancy, the crew travelled to Calhoun Family Forest in Gilsum, NH to construct a 27 step stone staircase on the Porcupine Falls trail. It was tremendously successful, many good memories and stories for years to come."  Since they 'travel', think we can talk them into coming south?

Calhoun Forest NH (43 great pictures!)

• BRP - the "big crack" in NC

Bypass Near Asheville Complete 

Driving the bypass (video) 

• Montpelier (James Madison's home)  Our maintainers rehabbed some trail a few years ago in "The James Madison Landmark Forest, a 200-acre old-growth forest that offers miles of walking trails for beginning and experienced hikers alike. The U.S. Department of the Interior designated the Forest a National Natural Landmark in 1987. Several prize-winning trees live in the Forest." It's a great place to visit ..... learn some history, see the gardens/grounds, and take a hike!

Montpelier (photo & FB link)

Montpelier website

History: President Madison at Battle of Bladensbug (1814)

Whew ...... that's all for now, folks!

Friday Roundup - August 16, 2013

 

Butterfly on ironweed.

Another Friday and one before a work trip tomorrow! This trip should be the last of the "weed season" as cooler temperatures, especially overnight in the mountains, will start knocking back the foliage. Some of the weeds are already looking tired and bedraggled as they near the end of their growing season. If you are missing the work trip tomorrow, there will be three more this year (time is flying by!) so you can contact the trail maintenance supervisor regarding those future trips here . Sign up as soon as you can - it is very helpful to know what our volunteer resources will be so we can match them to the projects for that trip. Also, since we plan our projects and crews in the week prior to the Saturday work trip, there is a cut-off around Wednesday. 

In the meanwhile, here are some links that have been posted on the R2R facebook page over the last week:

• BRP News  There is a new Supervisor for the BRP:

Mark Woods Selected as Superintendent

Friends of BRP volunteers help BRP to prevent another crack

• ATC  Photos from Culhowee

2013 Biennial Conference

Family Hiking Day, September 28, 2013

• Article from Science Daily (via Virginia Herpetological Society):

Timber Rattlesnakes Indirectly Benefit Human Health: Not-So-Horrid Top Predator Helps Check Lyme Disease

• Blog post (via Natural Bridge AT Club):

Appalachian Trail Record Broken | Matt Kirk Hikes Into Record Books

• Wildlife Center of Virginia  They have scheduled four fall open house days.

Open House Information

• Shenandoah National Park  Informative, beautiful posts

August 25th - Free Admission Day (via Experience Charlottesville)
(for the National Park Service Birthday)
 

Pandora Sphinx Moth

Blackberries, blueberries and bears!

Mushrooms & Fungi

• Photos from various sources:

Swallowtail on yellow flowers in SNP

Beautiful view from Humpback Rocks

Storm from Thunder Ridge on BRP

 Have a great weekend!

(Work trip crew posts should start appearing on the blog Sunday)

♦ ♦ ♦

Friday Roundup - August 9, 2013

 

Ferns along the AT - Sec. 7

(Photo - Merlot)

It's been quite a while since the last Friday Roundup (June 21) and there are some items of interest out there on the blogosphere and Facebook that aren't posted to the blog. Here are a few of the highlights you might enjoy:

• Warrior Hike The vets are in Vermont. Four of them posted mid-hike videos on their Facebook page. You might be interested in their AT thru-hike experience. Stephanie "Rosie" Cutter and Kevin "Grape Lightning" Reed include the stories of how they got their trail names ... something that is usually an interesting story/process. [Read about ATC's support of the 'Walk Off the War' program here ]

Kevin "Grape Lightning" Reed

Stephanie "Rosie" Cutts

Sharon "Mama Goose" Smith

Rob "Rob" Carmel

• Fun In The Woods - Massachusetts AT Committee Project Blog  A group of maintainers have been working on a bridge on the AT in Massachusetts. They have a blog and posted the three work trips it took to get the bridge completed. It was a lot of work, but the bridge looks great!

Blog Link

Some comments that were on an email regarding the bridge completion:

Many hands make light the work.  Thanks for everyone who joined us on this project.

An engineering marvel. This never would have happened without a solid design and a good project plan. A real fun project and rewarding to see those first two hikers coming across.

• Konnarock Crews The Konnarock Crews have a couple of posts since the last 'roundup'. They have been working on projects in Tennessee and near New River (Pearisburg). You can check out their work and adventures on their blog:

Konnarock Crew Blog

• Wildlife Center of Virginia .... Bear Cub updates! Those wonderful, energetic, mischievous bear cubs (all 16 of them!) have a new home. The new pens have been completed and the cubs are all moved and are able to play together now. You can check them out on 'Critter Cam' and see stories of the move, the bears' progress, and lots more information at the WCV site. Another yearling bear was recently released & a screech-owl is exercised as rehab for future release ... good videos!

Black Bear Cubs of 2013 (updates, pictures, links)

Black Bear yearling #13-420 release (video)
Eastern Screech-owl exercise (video) 

• Blue Ridge Parkway  A BIG crack has developed on the BRP .... in NC. This is due to all the rain they've been having. It started out 150 feet long and the last report I saw was 300 feet. Another crack formed on the shoulder of the road and the slope is unstable .... trees are leaning! It's a major issue for the BRP and they're working on it.

Crack in Blue Ridge Parkway grows 

Temporary Bypass on the Blue Ridge Parkway 

• Shenandoah National Park  SNP always has the most beautiful pictures on their Facebook posts and many have additional information as well. Here are some of those posts over the last couple of weeks:

"Keep close to nature's heart ..." View of the Blue Ridge

Millipedes

Hummingbird Moth

White Oak Canyon Waterfall/Hike

"Climb the mountains ...." View of Old Rag

Buck with antlers 'in velvet' picture & interesting antler info

Beautiful chicory flowers

Goldfinch

Black bear sow nursing cub

Turk's Cap Lily

Milkweed and butterflies (video!)
Zebra Swallowtail 

• Pictures from other sources:

View from Raven's Roost Overlook on the BRP

Wild Sunflowers blooming in SNP

One sunflower in ferns

Butterfly on thistle

Have a great weekend!

Friday Roundup - June 21, 2013

 

Cedar Cliffs in June

It's been a busy week on R2R after a fabulous work trip last Saturday and lots of crew posts (thanks to all the crew leaders who submitted write-ups and everyone who took pictures!). Here is a roundup of some of the more interesting posts that appeared on Facebook and other blogs that I've seen during the last week :

• The ATC's Konnarock Trail Crew is on the AT!  They have a blog and have begun to post about their projects:

Week 1: A Super Supercrew!

Week 2: New River Relocation (Crew 1) & Georgia (Crew 2)

• The Warrior Hike vets were on our section of AT over the last weekend/early this week. They had a good time at the Devil's Backbone Brewery, sponsored by DBB and the Waynesboro VFW 2424. They are headed north, have been to Elkton, VA and are on the way to the next event in Front Royal, VA. Happy trails to these vets and "thank you for your service". [My personal thanks to ATC for partnering with this program as it is near and dear to my heart. ~ Merlot]

Warrior Hike Makes a Stop in the Shenandoah Valley (video)

Vets hike trail to heal and help others (Waynesboro article)

More and More Veterans Walking Off the War (Outdoor USA Magazine article)

• A little "excitement" at the Wildlife Center of VA when one of their bear cubs escaped!

Black Bear Escapee Update

Update on all the bear cubs - scroll to July 17-19 for the escapee cub story

Frequently Asked Questions: Black Bear Cubs (release plans, etc.)

• Shenandoah National Park, as usual, is posting great photos and information. In the 'Recent Posts By Others' section of the Shenandoah National Park Facebook Page , there are lots of really good pics being posted of wildlife (turkey, lots of bears/cubs, fawns) & views, sunsets, etc. - check it out if you have time. Here are a few from the SNP staff on the main page - I didn't share these to the R2R FB page because of all the work trip posts .... just too much (a great problem to have!) :

Fly Poison (Amianthium muscaetoxicum) - picture with a link to more info

Chipmunk picture (really cute!)

Broad-winged Hawk picture (& some info)

• Nature Foundation at Wintergreen

Wintergreen Helping Smithsonian with Mammal Behavior Study (short video)

The rare Purple Fringed Orchid in bloom!

Have a terrific weekend!

~Merlot

(Photo: Dave W. taken on the June 15, 2013 work trip)

Friday Roundup - June 14, 2013

Wild Rose along the AT

(Photo: Merlot - June 16, 2012 work trip)

This is the Friday before our "3rd Saturday of the month" work trip - let's hope the AT didn't wash/blow away after yesterday's severe storms. The weather is looking good and there should be one or two (at least) crew reports from tomorrow so check back to see what we found post-storm and what we worked on.  In the meanwhile, here are some of the interesting Facebook posts over the last week:

• Warrior Hike:

Veterans Hiking Appalachian Trail to raise money for fellow injured vets

On McAfee Knob

An alternative if the high water rocks wash out at Mill Creek?

• Jolly Rovers (rock work extraordinaire):

Fitzgerald Falls Steps (crown jewel of the JRs)

Jolly Rovers Crew Finishes Steps on Appalachian Trail at Fitzgerald Falls (blog article)

• Wildlife Center of VA:

White-tailed Deer Fawns 2013 (video)

Help, I Found A Fawn (what to do .... and more importantly, what NOT to do)

Wild Life: New and Selected Poems

This book is being relieased soon with $2.00/book being donated by the publisher to WCV.

The author, Dr. Jamie K. Reaser, also has a blog with her poetry featured on it.

If you like wildlife and poetry, you will probably like this.

Talking Waters (Poetry blog)

A Glimpse Into A Veterinary Externship

• Shenandoah National Park:

SNP's Junior Ranger Programs

• Pictures:

Scarlet Kingsnake - VA Herpetological Society (for those of you who like snakes!)

Emammal picture - Mama & babies (The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen)

Catawba Rhododendron blooming (southern BRP)

Dawn Breaks Over Waynesboro

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday Roundup - June 7, 2013

 

View from Humpback Mountain Overlook, just off the AT

(Photo: Merlot, June 16, 2012 work trip)

It's been two weeks since the first 'Friday Roundup' post on May 24 and there have been quite a few activities, information, articles and pictures shared - here are some of the links you may have missed if you are not on Facebook:

• From the website: "The Wildlife Center has announced three open house dates for the Summer of 2013. Open houses are rare opportunities to see the inner workings of the nation's premier wildlife hospital, as well as meet some of the wildlife that serve as the Center's education ambassadors. As a wildlife emergency room and hospital, the Wildllife Center is not usually open to the public. The seasonal open houses are the times during the eyar when visitors may tour the Waynesboro facility".

Open House Information

• Last Saturday was National Trails Day so there were events leading up to that day being promoted on Facebook. Of particular interest was a series of posts the week prior by the rangers at Shenandoah National Park sharing some of their favorite places to hike - great pictures with the posts, too:

Lewis Falls Loop (May 26)

Compton Peak (May 27)

Doyles River Falls Trail (May 28)

Laurel Prong - Mill Prong Circuit (May 29)   

Outstanding, gorgeous picture on this post!

Milepost 42.5 in Skyland area to Millers Head (May 30)

Rockytop (May 31)

The Appalachian Trail in SNP (June 1)

• Also from the SNP:

The Cicadas have arrived! (the picture is .... well, check it out!)

• Nelson County Trail Daze June 1, 2013:

NBATC Crosscut saw demonstration - video

• The Jolly Rovers Trail Crew (how the group was founded):

Article: Profiles in Volunteering: Blazing New Trails

• While roaming around various AT sites, I came across a Massachusetts maintainer blog. In Virginia, we have similar issues (blowdowns, water erosion) and they have a few we don't have to contend with (black flies, boardwalks, a pond). I've added the blog link to the 'links' tab - you can check out their latest project(s) here:

Fun in the Woods--Massachusetts AT Committee Project Blog

• The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen - an interesting project in our 'neighborhood':

Article: High-tech devices track wildlife at Wintergreen

Two pictures from the eMammal project at Wintergreen

• So many beautiful photos are shared on FB - here are a few:

Warrior Hike - wild pony foal at Grayson Highlands

Warrior Hike Album - scroll through & look at them all.

Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) on Pocosin Fire Road

The Rhododendron are in bloom!

Doyles River Overlook at 6 a.m.

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia Canadensis)

Friday Roundup - May 24, 2013

Humpback Rocks

(Photo: Merlot)

The Rockfish to Reeds Blog also has an associated facebook page that is fairly active. Generally, the page is maintainer oriented; however, there are all sorts of beautiful pictures that catch my eye, wildlife stories, and interesting information, just to name some of the items likely to be 'shared' on the R2R page. My favorite sources for 'shares' include Shenandoah National Park, Wildlife Center of Virginia, The Appalachian Trail Conservancey, The Jolly Rovers trail crew, and various photo sites. You can find the link to the R2R facebook page on the blog tabs.

For those who choose not to be on facebook, the R2R page is "public" and you can certainly just look at it without having to have a facebook account. The links should work for you and if you click on a picture, it will appear in a larger screen - if there happens to be more than just the one picture, you can use the arrows that appear when you hover your mouse over the picture to scroll through them.

Unfortunately, I cannot post everything that is 'shared' on facebook to the blog - it's just too complicated. However, there are some interesting things that I would hate to see non-facebook blog readers miss out on so I'm going to try something new and post a 'roundup' of shares that caught my eye on facebook this past week and depending on how it goes, I might do more of this in the future.

Without further ado, here are some of the R2R facebook posts during the last week.

• Kyle Burnett's journal entry on how he got to be the one person living on Presquile NWR for 10 months. We met Kyle during our work trip in March, helping to get Presquile ready for the big opening of the educational facility. This is Journal entry #1 -  I am hoping Kyle will share some more of his journal ... specifically, his experience on Presquile.

Alone on an island in the James

• News on Max Patch that was vandalized earlier this year - it's been restored with lots of work and volunteer effort:

Max Patch vandals named as bald is restored

• The Wildlife Center of Virginia (just down the mountain from R2R) is currently caring for 14 black bear cubs and two yearlings! It's been a "happening place" for cubs this year. You can visit their website and check out all their patients, including the cubs, plus plans for a new facility to house bears brought in for medical care, at this link:

The Wildlife Center of Virginia

• The Jolly Rovers trail crew was at work this weekend, in the rain ..... just as our maintainers/volunteers were also facing a soggy day. These folks do some of the most incredible rock work - it's inspiring to see not only the scope of what they do, but their attention to detail.  Here is a link to their weekend pictures - you can scroll through all 19 by clicking the 'next', just above the picture's top right corner:

Jolly Rovers Weekend Pictures

• And last but not least, some of the great pictures that have been shared to R2R's facebook page in the last week:

Black bear cub eating .... stinging nettle? Not a happy face!

Trillium photo, taken in the fog & rain

The Blue Ridge mountains - just gorgeous

Bobcat in Shenandoah National Park

Enjoy and have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend & holiday!

~Merlot

♦ ♦ ♦