Nature – ‘the greatest show on earth’

Fall is by far my favorite time of year. The changing of the season and beautiful foliage is always inspiring. One of my absolute favorite things to do this time of year is explore the woods and wild fields throughout our area! With most of the leaves off the trees it’s easy to see the lay of the land. Animal trails and sign are much more visible now and become a major point of interest for me. I can spend hours interpreting their tracks and trails and never get bored. They have such an intimate knowledge of their environment and seem to move through it so effortlessly. I’m always fascinated by what I discover on my excursions. Perhaps most importantly, I’m reminded that I need to explore more often.
My experiences in nature always seem to ground me and smooth out any stress that I may have accumulated during the week.
All of us love to spend time in the woods and hiking is a favorite weekend activity for many of us. This area has many hiking opportunities. The Palmetto Trail is close by and F.E.N.C.E has numerous trails to explore. Let’s face it – we all need to get outside more, and not just for the exercise. I believe that being in nature is important and helps promote a healthy balance in our lives. In fact, I bet if we really thought about the most wonderful experiences we’ve ever had, most of them would have nothing to do with a television or a computer screen. Nature is awesome!
From time to time I receive emails from people asking how they can learn to be more aware in the woods. For all the outdoor recreating we do, there is much that we miss.
There is more to experience than you may realize. If I were to suggest one thing to help you notice more on your hikes and adventures, it would be to SLOW down… WAY down. Nature moves and a different pace than we do. We move too fast. We tend to focus on the path ahead and often walk right past animals and other interesting treasures. I make it a point to sit down several times during my excursions and just be. Generally, I’ll sit for 20-40 minutes at a time and remain as quiet and motionless as possible, just soaking it all in. This gives the wildlife time to relax and adjust to my presence. Try this and you’ll be amazed at what you’ll see and experience.
To better illustrate this, when most of us enter the woods we’re like a rock being dropped into a pond. After this initial disturbance… yes, I said disturbance… concentric rings, like ripples in a pond radiate outward. The sentries of the woods, the birds, are first to sound the alarm. Then, birds and animals further away from the initial splash react and this continues outward, sometimes covering a great distance. In short order, most of the animals in the area are informed of our presence and take evasive action long before we get near them. This is why we don’t see many animals when we hike. Personally, I think the birds take great delight in this.
Reducing our disturbance by slowing down and relaxing is the key to seeing and experiencing more. In other words… be a pebble, not a rock.
So… try something a little different on this weekend’s hike, take it slow, be quiet and see what you’ve been missing. When in doubt, sit in silence and wait for the show to begin. Be patient and you won’t be disappointed. Nature is truly “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
Richard lives in Tryon and teaches outdoor programs at Earth School. He is a self-trained Naturalist and a local fishing and nature guide. For info about his programs visit www.LoveTheEarth.com.

Brevard, North Carolina – land of waterfalls

Western North Carolina is rich with pristine beauty. The attractions are almost too many to count. Nestled at the feet of the Pisgah National Forest is the quaint little town of Brevard. Best known for its magical waterfalls, Brevard attracts thousands of visitors each year. Fisherman, adventurers and sightseers are all attracted to the natural beauty this area offers.
A few weeks back I joined some friends and their children for an afternoon of waterfall fun! We rendezvoused at the intersection of highway 64 and 276. After piling into one vehicle we headed up the mountain on Hwy 276. A short 5.5 mile drive brought us to our first stop, Looking Glass Falls. With its close proximity to the road, Looking Glass Falls is a popular tourist attraction. Thirty feet wide, sixty feet tall and comprised of solid granite, the falls are nothing less than spectacular. In winter, the falls freeze and when the sun reflects off them they resemble a mirror…hence the name, Looking Glass.
Being late in the season, the crowds were about medium. We took the stairs down to the base of the falls, but the view from the road is equally impressive. I normally shy away from such “touristy” places, but this wonder of nature was worth the visit. As I sat quietly next to the stream, I couldn’t help but ponder how the Native Americans and early settlers felt about this magic place.
The kids put on their swimsuits and joined numerous other children splashing in the shallows.
We played, took pictures and soaked it all in. After basking in the beauty and sun for an hour or so we drove another 2.1 miles up the mountain to Sliding Rock Recreation area.
Sliding Rock’s claim to fame is an impressive 150’ natural waterslide which delivers adventurous souls into a deep pool of cold, clear mountain water. An estimated 11,000 gallons per minute provide the momentum. The area has two observation decks and a lifeguard is on duty for most of the day. Bathrooms are available, on site, to change into your swimsuits and such. Children and adults of all ages patiently await their turn to glide down the smooth rock face and plummet into the watery abyss.
I was instructed to bring a bathing suit but, as it turned out, I was the only adult who actually brought one. After watching all the fun for a few minutes I hurried to the bathroom to change. I wasn’t about to let the kids have all the fun. I couldn’t resist…I had to go. After all, I thought, I hadn’t visited my chiropractor in a while :) Ahhh…the realities of getting older. You know what I mean…
On my first slide I somehow managed to spin around on my back and entered the water backwards. A bit untraditional, but entertaining, so I was told (The Russian judge only gave me a 3.4:) The water was verrrrrry cold to say the least, but surprisingly my body’s internal furnace kicked in and, upon exiting, I warmed up pretty quickly. My friends’ teenage son, Gunnar decided to join me on my second and final run, though he had to be bribed with the promise of an ice cream sundae. Kids these days:)
Time went by quickly, too quickly as it always seems to do. We stopped for a picnic on the way down the mountain and ended our adventure with, of course, ice cream. All in all it was a great day! I can’t wait to go back.
Brevard is just a short drive away and ideal for that weekend getaway. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the mountains. The leaves are starting to turn and there are no mosquitoes! Plan your weekend adventure today, have fun and “Make Good Memories.” Isn’t that what life’s all about?
Richard lives in Tryon and teaches outdoor programs at Earth School. He is a self-trained Naturalist and a local fishing and nature guide. For info about his programs visit www.LoveTheEarth.com.

Way of the coyote – midnight chorus

Last Sunday evening I awoke to an increasingly familiar sound… the howls of several coyotes echoed through the neighboring woods, piercing the cool night air. I can tell you from experience that waking, from a sound sleep, to the raucous chorus of coyotes can be a bit startling, but I absolutely LOVE IT! In fact, I sleep with the windows open, most of the year, just so I don’t miss such happenings.

I rent a quaint house, here in Tryon, nestled in a sizeable patch of woods. The lower portion of the property contains a small creek, which I love to explore. My creek has minnows, aquatic insects and a few crawfish. Clearly, the creek is the heartbeat of these woods. Deer, turkey, raccoons, hawks, owls, and a multitude of woodland creatures frequent this area… but they are not alone. The coyote keeps a watchful eye on all that happens here. Always observing, calculating and patiently waiting for an opportunity. Make no mistake… this is one savvy wild dog. Perhaps no other wild animal can live in such close proximity to man, and yet be so completely unseen.

This past Winter I had an encounter with the local coyote pack I will never forget. One night, around 3 am, I awoke to the same chorus. I could hear the coyotes moving through the woods skirting my house. They were VERY close. The moon was nearly full and illuminated most of my front yard. I crept out of bed and headed, in darkness, to my living room to retrieve a turkey (diaphragm) call I had on my TV. Having “called in” coyotes before with a predator call, I felt confident I might get a response with some high pitched squeals the call would produce. I knelt beside my bedroom window and did my best impersonation of a dying rabbit (with the mouth call of course:)). I called on and off for about 30 seconds, and then listened. They were pretty close so I wanted to be careful. I heard their footsteps, in the dry leaves, coming in my direction. It was working. The moonlight filtering through a dogwood tree, in my front yard, provided reasonable visibility. As I remained motionless listening to a coyote, trotting in my direction through the leaves, something I didn’t expect happened. A coyote, a different one, appeared out of nowhere! He snuck in, from my left, searching for the wounding animal without making a sound. I was shocked and, at the same time, excited. He loped back and forth across my view, a mere 12 feet from my open window. My heart was racing the entire time. After satisfying his curiosity, he eventually disappeared into the darkness. Wow! I felt so blessed to have experienced it. It’s hard to put emotions into words sometimes. For me it wasn’t just the excitement of the moment, but rather the connection I felt to nature that night is something I will always treasure.

Some people fear and even hate coyotes… for what reasons I’m somewhat unclear. Perhaps they’ve lost beloved pets to them… I have too. Or perhaps they fear the unknown. I once read that “Man fears what he doesn’t know, and what man fears he destroys.”

Besides the wolf, the coyote is perhaps one of the most misunderstood animals in North America. Here in the south, they fill a position the Red Wolf once occupied. They serve the important responsibility of checks and balances, a role that we humans may never fully understand. They are numerous, highly adaptable, secretive and difficult to study.

For me, the coyote is a blessing. I’m glad they’re here. They embody the very essence of nature… raw, untamed and inspiring. I am grateful for such things. My relationship with the natural world deeply touches my soul. Without it, life would be mundane at best.

Like it or not, the coyote is here to stay. The next time you hear the coyotes howl… howl back!

Richard lives in Tryon and teaches outdoor programs at Earth School. He is a self-trained Naturalist and a local fishing and nature guide. For info about his programs visit www.LoveTheEarth.com.

Laughter Pond - Family Fishing Fun

Fried catfish are as much a Southern tradition as grits, hushpuppies and sweet tea. I love catfish smothered in a good homemade tarter sauce. While not my absolute favorite fish to eat, they’re relatively easy to catch and very abundant.
Laughter pond in Mill Spring provides an easily accessible and fun fishing trip for the whole family! Driving on Hwy 108 east, from Columbus, the lake is located just a ¼ mile shy of Hwy 9. It’s owned by the Woodland Mills Plant. Last year, in cooperation with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and our local Parks and Recreation, it was opened to the public.
I’ve fished the lake a few times, in the past, with good success. Most recently I took a friend’s three children (ages 5, 8 and 13) there on their first fishing excursion. Since they were beginners, I spent a good portion of my time untangling fishing line and baiting hooks. We caught a few catfish, a cool turtle and some really nice bluegills from the fishing platform. The kids had a great time and all posed proudly, for the camera, showing off their very first fish. Memories are precious things aren’t they?
After a fun afternoon we stopped for some ice cream at Mendenhalls Auto Sales/Bait Shop/Plant Nursery. Quite a diverse place, to say the least! The folks that run it are very nice and I recommend you stop there for bait and fishing info, before heading to the lake. They informed me that the state is stocking 1,000 catfish a month at the pond. While most of the fish are small, it should be a great catfish lake in a few years. Most of the catfish you’ll catch will be in the 8 to 12 inch range, but larger fish, 2-3 pounders, are there also.
There are no size restrictions and the daily limit is six catfish per licensed person.
I recommend spinning or spincast tackle spooled with no more than 8 lb. test. Chicken livers work great for catfish but don’t stay on single hooks well (small treble hooks, size 8 work better). I actually prefer to use cut-bait when fishing for catfish though. Cut ¾ inch pieces of large minnows or small bluegills and thread them on a good quality hook. I like Eagle claw single hooks, in sizes 1/0 to 3/0, with cut-bait. Don’t attach the hook to a snap-swivel! Attaching the hook directly to the line is more natural and will catch more fish. I also apply a few weights (split shots are fine) about 18 inches up the line. I bring two poles and always keep one of my baits on the bottom. I usually dangle the other bait below a small bobber and adjust it, from time to time, to cover different depths until the fish tell me what they want. Keep an eye on your poles or you may lose one to the “Fish God,” big catfish are strong.
There is plenty of parking, in the designated lot, at Polk County Middle School. If you’re driving from Columbus, turn left on Wolverine Trail and then right into the lot next to the tennis courts. There are 32 parking spaces, but I’ve never seen more than five vehicles. Porta-potties are available also. Beside food and such, you may want to bring a camera, sunscreen and a good hat. Don’t forget to bring a stringer if you intend to keep a few fish. I prefer to put them on ice as soon as possible, but a stringer placed in a shady area will work fine.
Fishing is such a wonderful family experience. I suggest you take a few fish home for dinner and have the kids help you clean them. It’s good that children learn where food comes from. I believe it’s a healthy lesson and will teach them respect and gratitude for all living things.
Sooo… go this weekend! And… don’t forget to have FUN… it’s called Laughter Pond for a reason…