Coming Up for Air

I've spent the past weeks working on several novel manuscripts, revising one and polishing another. I also uploaded six chapters of a work-in-progress to HarperCollins author site, Authonomy. I've been so busy with travel and writing, I haven't spent much time on Authonomy, so I've yet to make connections. I'll have to rectify that soon.

I've also been busy with ACFW's annual writing contest. Once again, I'm serving as a contest coordinator, and I enjoy working with aspiring authors, one of whom will hear his or her name called as a category winner during the ACFW Conference in September.

Temperatures have finally warmed up, and though we had a cold snap last week, the likes of which may have killed the buds about to burst forth on my azaleas, we visited a location known to have Pink Lady Slippers, one of many wild orchids that grow in the Carolinas. We didn't spot any on our way up the trail, but on the way back, we finally found one in bloom. What a treat!

My husband's size 12 hiking shoe to the right gives you an indication of how impressive these beauties are. Unfortunately, poachers have been known to dig them up, not knowing their existence relies on the pine trees that shade them. When in nature, take only pictures and memories.

Hiking Obstacles

I had a nice lesson from the landscape this past week. We traveled back to South Carolina for a conference, and after the close of the event, we headed to the mountains to hike.

I've been gone so long, I had forgotten many of the forest roads and more portions of the Parkway than I realize are closed during winter. Sure enough, both the Parkway near Cold Mountain and Forest Road 475b were closed.

We got a bit of hiking in despite the obstacle by revisiting old favorites: Pearson Falls near Saluda and Dupont State Forest near Brevard.

Upper portions of Triple Falls, Dupont State Forest, Copyright KBuffaloe

Lower portion of Triple Falls, Dupont State Forest Copyright KBuffaloe

Pearson Falls, Copyright KBuffaloe

I'll take it.

Pollen and Patterns

A couple weeks ago, warm air burst through the area, bringing with it an abundance of sunshine. Though I had what I thought was a cold, my husband and I decided strolling along a trail in the warm sun would be a better remedy than sitting around the house, so we headed toward a nature preserve I'd read about in one of my field guides. Neither of us had heard of it, but since it was about an hour away, we couldn't resist checking it out. Unfortunately, I had no idea it was the beginning of pine pollen season.

I should have left two miles into the hike when I began feeling lightheaded, but we'd just reached the Crane Fly Orchid trail. Anyone who appreciates finding wild orchids in their natural habitat can appreciate why I chose not to leave at that moment. Though I might have changed my mind had I known I would end up with a nasty case of bronchitis.

I've nearly recovered, so I'm processing photos and prepping the trail report, which I'll post on Carolina Towns and Trails in the next few days. Because it's located on the Fall Zone, the preserve has several unique features. I look forward to sharing our experience.

On another note, I've taken up sewing and completed my first lesson this past week. I'm more comfortable with computers and databases, so I was a bit intimidated at first, but after dipping my toes in the water, I look forward to jumping in. I've already spotted a few patterns I'd like to try—once I learn how to read them. More later.

Good Idea or Not, We Went

Thirty-something degrees outside this morning and after a half-hour of discussion, we decided to run to the Outer Banks to visit Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Why? Why else—to search for snow geese.

It's a very long drive to the Banks, but, eh, it was Kell's day off. We could spend it sitting around the house listening to talk of health care and Tiger Woods, or sitting in the car driving around the great outdoors. Outdoors won, hands down.

For the record, it was bitterly cold on the Outer Banks today. The wind whipped, soaking through our jeans and stinging what skin we couldn't cover. We spent some time inside Pea Island Visitor Center viewing birds floating around the marshes through spotting scopes, and a little less time standing on the side of the road taking pictures. And yes, we did see snow geese, thanks to one of the park's volunteers. He not only led us to them, he brought his scope and binoculars along so we could get a closer look. We froze, but what a great way to spend the day.

Tundra swans:

And snow geese: