I love that the three mile hike took six hours! Of course, with a group like this, and such devoted attention to their lists, that’s not surprising. My typical pace on meanders the woods is about a mile an hour: three hours for a 3 mile hike, five hours for a 5 mile hike. Some of this is “slow walking“ practice, but most of it is a readiness/eagerness to pause and soak up details or the big picture along the way. In a new landscape, this might also transfer to driving, so that, eg, a 70 drive takes seven hours, thanks to countless 3 to 30ish minute pauses along the way….. a couple memorable day drives like this were from Lone Pine through the Panamint Valley and a full day in the TNC tallgrass prairie preserve in Oklahoma (SO highly recommended!), where the 50 mi/5hr drive was broken up by a 3mi/3hr intermission on a trail—a perfect day!
I like how you interwove your experience on the hike with data about our public lands and a call to action (or at least awareness) to the threat our current administration is to OUR lands.
This is a truly stunning post. Nature is my church, and I appreciate the walk with you and the call to action. Lovely, lovely images also.
I love that the three mile hike took six hours! Of course, with a group like this, and such devoted attention to their lists, that’s not surprising. My typical pace on meanders the woods is about a mile an hour: three hours for a 3 mile hike, five hours for a 5 mile hike. Some of this is “slow walking“ practice, but most of it is a readiness/eagerness to pause and soak up details or the big picture along the way. In a new landscape, this might also transfer to driving, so that, eg, a 70 drive takes seven hours, thanks to countless 3 to 30ish minute pauses along the way….. a couple memorable day drives like this were from Lone Pine through the Panamint Valley and a full day in the TNC tallgrass prairie preserve in Oklahoma (SO highly recommended!), where the 50 mi/5hr drive was broken up by a 3mi/3hr intermission on a trail—a perfect day!
I think it is a good practice to develop: meandering. Thanks for your comment, Jim.
As a botanist (plant ecologist), I welcome the exploration of plants in whatever guise. Your walk sounds wonderful.
I can even enjoy the naturalized meadows that make up the roadsides and grasslands here in Eastern Quebec; not native, but beautiful, nonetheless.
I like all plants, even the European transplants, many of which are medicinal. I fascinated about plants' stories. Thanks for oyour comment, Lisa.
Enjoyed this post, and the chance to learn about two wildflowers that are not common here in the eastern part of the United States.
Thank you, MK. I was FL in January and it was like an alien plant world to me!
I like how you interwove your experience on the hike with data about our public lands and a call to action (or at least awareness) to the threat our current administration is to OUR lands.
Thank you, Rick. There are so many things to fight for but public lands are my #1 battle.
Thank you for taking us on your wildflower hike
Thank you, Meredith. I am glad you could partake!