Alligators And Oil Wells

This short walk took place at the Meaher State Park in Mobile, AL located on Battleship Parkway, aka the "cause-way", or hwy 90. It was a very pleasant experience being re-exposed to an area; the Gulf Coast, which I once frequented often and noting the contrast w/ the Appalachian and Cumberland mountains. I saw an alligator w/ it's snout and eyes poking above the water but was unable to locate one on land to get a clear picture. This immediate area has seen tremendous industrial growth over the last 30 years and some large chemical plants sit idle leaving huge metal monuments of mans intelligence.? Peace.

Workin'?

Hello, as you may have noticed, we will be out of the region for several weeks working in ATL. Yes "The Walker" works some. I encourage all those who've been invited to contribute in the past to "pick it up". Steve? Jake? (et.al.?) Mama Bear, tell us of your walks in Central Park or where ever you find some peace in the "far north". I'm going to try and contribute some wild life experiences from my travels and work so we can keep it fresh. Today I'm in LA; lower Alabama, for a family celebration and will be taking a short walk along the water somewhere this morning. Peace

Sunday Off The Beaten Path

This short walk is another trail off the grid (OTG) which cannot be described in full otherwise it would be traveled much more than it is currently. Well, that's pretty presumptuous on my part actually, as it's not like this is the most read info blog. Yet. Still can't tell ya' over the internet! You'll have to Come see us!
This route was not planned and I covered an area I had not scene since last year when I mistakenly located this trail, OTG. I've taken a few folks into this area and others around it though I don't believe any have gotten this "up close". That's because of thick undergrowth deterring us sometimes and water levels which prevent persons who are not skilled "rock hoppers" from moving on beyond some streams and into this particular "holler". During this dry season and current drought this challenge is eliminated.
I saw a large non-venomous snake, while rock hopping my second stream which met the description of a 'Black Racer'. I gotta picture of it if you want to see. This picture of the pool of water above does not describe this scene adequately. The boulders are like the size of small cars and the pool of water even as dry as it is, was still flowing and deep enough to submerge ones body. There were several others of varying sizes and depths along this walk. Like this one below hidden on three sides by boulders and still 2 feet deep during this drought. Man! I give lots of thanks and have a lot of gratitude for this part of my life. I encourage all who have had some appreciation for the wild life to call, write, visit, and disturb your elected and non-elected officials who have a large role in what is protected and where another chain drug store etc...is built. Peace

Lil' Greenbrier Trail

This 8.6 mile excursion, RT, began at the trailhead located just inside the Park border w/ Wear Cove. I followed Little Greenbrier Trail "the distance" until it connected w/ the Laurel Falls and Cove Mtn. trails which was approx. 4.3 mls. This trail gains elevation for most of the 4.3 but does so at a relatively modest and consistent incline. The only place I found water was in a spring along the trail about a mile+ past the intersection w/ Little Brier Gap Trail, or, over 3 miles into the walk. About a 1/4 mile+ before this spring, on may way in I caught up w/ a couple who had just seen a black furry creature. The lady showed me the picture. She was proud! It was great to see the excitement because it will help them appreciate the experience and could, in the future, encourage them to protect the wild life in some way.
I moved on and soon heard a large animal moving above me in the thick brush. It was a deer (doe) cruising through unaware of my presence, well unaware of my location, because it appeared to have heard or smelled me in how it kept looking in my direction and moving it's nose around trying to pick up a scent. I put a tree between her line of vision and myself so I could watch further and try and get a better photo but she stopped moving and disappeared into the scenery.
The trail continues along Chinquapin Ridge after the crossing w/ Little Brier Gap Trail and increases noticeably in the degree of incline. It also contains several great views even in the summer, as you may agree from the pictures here. Once I arrived at the turn around point I sat and drank some water, ate some gorp and and was soon joined by two individuals who arrived a few minutes apart and appeared to be going on to ascend the Cove Mtn. Trail. I gathered my stuff and returned to from where I'd come.