Six Days To Close Out September In SWVA

Blogs are sometimes hard to get up and this one is proof as it goes all the way back to the end of September that I still haven't shared on the pages of the blog. I spent a week in Southwest Virginia. Besides hanging at the Cabin I also adventured to Devil's Bathtub, attended the first in-person High Knob Naturalist Rally, and took down a hornets' nest just to name a few of the highlights of my six days there.

I went over on Thursday (the day after returning from the Smokies) because Saturday was the Clinch Coalition (TCC) High Knob Naturalist Rally. I wanted to get most of the mowing done so I could venture to the Devil's Bathtub. I have talked in detail about it here, but it is always a nice hike and I also took advantage of the trip for a unique viewpoint...from the Drone. I also got the chance to use my new propeller guards and they worked because I flew into some leaves and the drone didn't crash...win!

While the weather was nice Friday that changed when I awoke Saturday morning. It was raining and it continued to do so when I arrived at the High Knob Recreation Area for the first, in-person, TCC Naturalist Rally since 2019.  While it was a bit of a pain, it stopped halfway through the Tree Identification Hike I went on. Eventually, it cleared up and dried out to male for a nice 16th edition of the rally! Also, it was great to see people I haven't crossed paths with in two-and-a-half years. 

On my way out I stopped at the High Knob Tower to enjoy the view. Even though it was cool and windy, I got the drone up for some nice shots of the tower.

Dad came over to join me on Sunday and I got some nice sunset footage I also cut down the hornets' nest which learned about 'the Bringer of Darkness.' This gave us the ability to work on the tractor (which we didn't fix). Well, that about covers this trip to the Cabin.

SmugMug Photos:

Back & Above The Devil's Bathtub

Back In Person For The High Knob Naturalist Rally

Best Of The Rest In SWVA

This Saturady Is Your Chance To Attend TCC Naturalist Rally...So Do It!

It is the end of September and that means it is time for the annual Naturist Rally presented by the Clinch Coalition (TCC). Usually, it would be this Saturday at the High Knob Recreation Area near Norton, VA. I have been going to the event since 2016. The last three years (2017, 2018 & 2019) I had worked the Naturalist Rally as I am on TCC Board.

So now to 2020, the year of the COVID pandemic and TCC wants to be responsible. That means plans changed and instead of an in person event the 14th annual Natrulist Rally will be virtual. This means if you have never been, to the Rally, because you don't live near Southwest Virginia this year is your chance. Because this year to attend the Rally all you need is a computer. So, if you want to attend the go to either the TCC website or the TCC Facebook page. Oh, it is free, so be there this Saturday!

Winter Returned Just In Time For The Annual TCC Holiday Dinner

It is mid-December and that means it is time for the annual The Clinch Coalition (TCC) Holiday Dinner, Tuesday evening at the Tacoma School

I headed over early to help set up, but I did have time for a couple of stops and views plus rime ice.

Like always it was good food, a good speaker (Bill Cawood from Natural Tunnel State Park) and a nice silent auction. We also had snow. We had a good crowd, but some old friends were missed. Overall, it was another fine holiday dinner...

Flag Rock, High Knob, the TCC Naturalist Rally & Wood Boogers Too...That Was Just The First Half

As part of five days in Southwest Virginia, I started the first part on High Knob. Why was I there? It was the last weekend in September and that means it was time for the Clinch Coalition (TCC) annual Naturalist Rally. 

This was the 13th edition of the event, but it was my fourth. While the Naturalist Rally was Saturday, my weekend started on Friday as I had to go to Norton and pick up tables and haul them up High Knob and to the Recreation Area. If you have never been up High Knob the road up, while paved, it is five steep miles. This plus a loaded down truck meant the heat went up and right after the turn-off to Flag Rock Recreation Area, which is halfway up, I had to pull Big Red over to let off some steam. After about half-hour, I finally started back up and got the tables to the top.

After unloading the tables and setting up stuff I went up and put my tent up near the Caretaker Cabin before heading down to see Flag Rock and one of my relatives. After I went up to the High Knob Tower because I wasn't going for sunset. Instead, I have invited out for dinner...at the Woodbooger Grill. 

I went with Harry and Martie, who are Co-Presidents of the TCC and host at the High Knob Recreation Area. At the restaurant, we met some old friends of theirs, Chris and Nancy. Chris was a presenter at the Rally on backyard birding. Once back we socialized and then off to my tent.

I got up early the next morning and contemplated going to the High Knob Tower for sunrise, which you know I did. It was a beautiful sunrise as the Sun looked like a red ball coming up through the clouds. It was a nice start to the morning. What wasn't, a Bald-Faced Hornet decided to sting me on the hand as I walked back down the paved path from the tower...it hurt!

When I got back it was time to go to work setting up for the Rally. Again like last year one of my jobs, once the rally started, was at the registration table, but I did help get the food ready (no grill or hot dogs this year) and helped put up signs. 

I did get some free time, I walk around the exhibits, went to the mushroom talk and one on backyard birding. Oh, I also won a cool book in the Silent Auction. After the rally ended it was time to break down and take the tables back to Norton. Overall it was an excellent Naturalist Rally and it was on to the Cabin for part two...