Yesterday, bloodroot, yellow violet, hepatica and the usual tiny white and weedy mustards are just in bloom. In one month–even at the highest elevation in the Virginia, wildflowers will be evident in abundance.
The Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally will be held this year May 8 and 9. You can find out the details via the link–about the Friday evening presentation on the status of hemlock damage in the eastern forest and about hemlock protection research efforts against the wooly adelgid. Also there are both morning and afternoon field trips, of course.
Also for the first time this year, on Saturday afternoon, five authors will offer a “nature writing workshop” starting at 1:00. (Yes, I’m happy to be included in this interesting event, along with Jim Minick and Rick Vannoy from Radford University and two fellas I’ve not met but looking forward to getting to know.)
If you’ve never done anything like this–and especially if you have some kids you could bring, it will be worth your time. Spend the night at a nearby campground and make it a mini-vacation! Bring your warm red jacket.
What fun! I wish I had time off this spring/summer to have a mini-vacation. Have fun teaching your workshop!