BackWoods Drifter

New River Gorge

New River Gorge, Hawks Nest State Park

———— ———When one tugs at a single thing in nature; he finds it attached to the rest of the world.

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Mullein, Verbascum thapsus

When I go hiking plants that stand out from the rest in some way tend to pique my curiosity. Such is the case with mullein.

Mullein

This plant first caught my attention in the spring. It is difficult to miss. The one in the photo is young and only 10-12 inches across.

The [...]

Glade Creek Gristmill, Babcock State Park

Although the terms “gristmill” or “corn mill” can refer to any mill that grinds grain, the terms were used historically for a local mill where farmers brought their own grain and received back ground meal or flour, minus a percentage called the “miller’s toll.” Early mills were almost always built and supported by farming [...]

Survival of the… Smallest

I posted this photo to Facebook and didn’t even get a nibble, pun intended.

Personally, I like it. But maybe for most folks… too much mystery?

The photo was taken on the bank of R.D. Bailey Lake.

R.D. Bailey Lake

When the road above the lake was initially built, in some places, they [...]

Fall Colors, Bolt Mountain

Bolt Mountain is the highest point in the Guyandotte Mountain Range at just over 3600 feet.

From the Emerson Stover Overlook on the mountain one would be looking north-northeast into Raleigh County. More specifically, the Coal River watershed.

Emerson Stover Overlook, Fall Colors

Emerson Stover Overlook, Fall [...]

Mystery of the Rock House, Twin Falls State Park

Update – this is no longer a mystery, the foundation was once Foley’s Mill. Explained in comments.

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Rarely do I visit West Virginia’s state parks. For the most part, anything you can do in a state park you can do in the backwoods.

Today was the exception, gorgeous day for a relaxing hike at [...]

Indian Summer on Beaver Creek

Indian Summer is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in autumn. It refers to a period of above normal temperatures after the first frost, or killing frost.

The name Indian summer is related to the American Indian. Raiding parties would use this time between cold spells to attack settlers without having to worry about being tracked, [...]

Woolly Bear Caterpillar

The common moth Pyrrharctia isabella is known by different common names at its two main life stages. The adult is the Isabella tiger moth…

Pyrrharctia Isabella - Isabella Tiger Moth

…and the larva is called the banded woolly bear.

According to folklore, the severity of the coming winter can be predicted by studying the [...]

Memorable Photo Moments

I know most likely everyone who loves to take photos has had moments where they wish they had their camera. With myself, going to the mountains and missing the Kodak moments because I didn’t bring a camera taught me a lesson, now I never go into the backwoods without one.

Most of my missed photo [...]

Indian Strawberry

AKA – False Strawberry, Mock Strawberry, She Mei.

Indian Strawberry

I’ve always heard this referred to as snake berry. I assumed it was because the berry grew right next to the ground making it perfect snake food. That still may be true, the name She Mei is Chinese meaning snake strawberry.

The name [...]