Exploring Nature by Sheila Newenham
I wore my hiking shoes today instead of my hiking sandals after yesterday’s snake encounter. Although, I’m not sure they’ll be much help with the bears and mountain lions today. An Old Railroad Trail The Cowiche Canyon trail follows Cowiche Creek along an old … Continue readingCowiche Creek Canyon Trail
The Canyon Basalt columns rise from the Tieton river valley providing protected roosts and nest sites for ravens and golden eagles. Climbers are also drawn to the sheer rise, crawling like ants up the walls. Lichens decorate the gray and brown rocks in yellow … Continue readingBirds and Snakes on the Tieton River Trail
The Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge website lists among their 45 species of mammals elk, deer, moose, badgers, river otters, porcupines, beavers, bobcats, and cougars. I set my alarm for the following morning. Fog hung in the mountain valleys highlighting the ridges and trees as I … Continue readingTurnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Winter and spring all in one walk. Round Lake State Park in North Idaho is a 200-acre preserve surrounding a 58-acre lake with hiking trails, multi-use trails, and a campground. It was chilly when I started out on the 1.8-mile Trapper’s trail roughly circling the … Continue readingRound Lake State Park, Idaho
It’s a happy, warm, sunny day in Seward, Alaska. August days like this are a special treat in this rainy Pacific coast town. The Trail The Lost Lake Trail in Seward traverses seven miles over 1200 feet of elevation gain to its namesake alpine lake. … Continue readingLost Lake Trail in Seward, Alaska
Desert Promises The desert doesn’t tug at my heartstrings as the mountains do. I prefer more green in my landscapes, and I’m not enamored with the heat – even the dry heat. But, every new place has a personality, surprises, and lessons to teach. With … Continue readingKolob Canyon, Zion National Park
I often write about hidden gems – those wonderful things that have been right under our noses all along. That’s because when we make the time to stop and look, there is wonder all around us. A friend recently suggested a village park that has … Continue readingA Local Wonderland
e·phem·er·al (əˈfem(ə)rəl): lasting for a very short time. They brighten the dull brown forest floors even before winter has really left. Spring ephemerals put all of their energy into carpeting the woodland in color and then fade away under the shade of the full canopy. … Continue readingWoodland Ephemerals: Hope Springs Eternal