Fallstreak Hole
During an evening run, a fallstreak hole forms within an altocumulus sheet. According to Wikipedia, the curious formation occurs “when the water temperature in the clouds is below freezing but the water, in a supercooled state, has not frozen yet due to the lack of ice nucleation. When ice crystals do form, a domino effect is set off due to the Bergeron process, causing the water droplets around the crystals to evaporate: this leaves a large, often circular, hole in the cloud.”
Wilson Lick Ranger Station
On the way up to Wayah Bald, a stop at Wilson Lick offers hikers a glimpse into the world of Nantahala National Forest’s first rangers. Construction began in 1916.
“It’s a widely accepted principle . . . that you can claim a piece of land which has been inhabited for tens of thousands of years, if only you will repeat this mantra endlessly: ‘We discovered it, we discovered it, we discovered it.”
– Kurt Vonnegut
Edisto Island Storm
A blanket of afternoon cloud cover darkens the sky over Edisto Island.
American Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum
Hikers flock to Raven Cliff Falls Trail for the rush of falling water, but a trip in early April offers subtler beauty along the way.
Since ninety-nine percent of trout lily plants are non-flowering, the illusive perennials pictured above are one-percenters thriving in the mountains of White County.
