Memorial Day/My Dad's Birthday

Today is a special day, for more reasons than one. I had much pressure from Laurbear to do a Mems Day piece so here we have it. Through my (EXTENSIVE, cough cough) research the most interesting thing I learnt was mos def about the very first Memorial Day; the history of it is all a bit dicey (civil war, Confederate vs. Union soldiers, etc, etc) but, from what I gather the day was first commemorated by who wikipedia refers to as 'formerly enslaved people' exhuming a mass grave of Union soldiers and reburying them into individual graves. A little spooky but extremely nice of them (although it sounds like slavery to me since they had only ten days to do it). I think its a lovely holiday and really underscores the importance of peace for the future of our world (idealistic plug what what?!). Also, my father turns 56 today.

(The likelihood that you care very little about either of these things is overwhelming).

UNCANNY

HELLO. My name is Andrea and I have come to take over this blog. In reading about life in the old cradle (of forestry), what has hit me the most is the myriad of similarities between the cradle of forestry (Pisgah Natl Forest) and my life in the cradle of skiing (Norway, where I live).

1. Laura makes natural dyes from plants and uses them as paints, I dye easter eggs. UNCANNY.

2. Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Blue Ridged Mountains of Norway (check). UNCANNY!

3. The SCA, we've got it too, only ours is emblazoned on every soap dispenser in every public bathroom in the country. UNCANNY.

and... 4. Laura gives Twilight tours of the forest, I LOVE TWILIGHT. totally UNCANNY.

Allow me to introduce you to my bloggysitter for the next two days..

We're not from around here

The five of us started a new roommate tradition last night: Trivia Thursday at the Square Root. We finished dead last (40 points behind the winning team). ha!

Next week we're hoping for second to last.

DRAGONFLY

Found this awesome SPECIMEN on the Forest Festival Trail today, and it now resides in our insect collection box!

Class of 2022

Laurie dressed as Sally Snag.

We debuted the "Sally Snag--animal inn" program today! Sally told the the kindergartners the story of her life and how she came to be an old and dead tree, then the kids sat around in front of her and guessed what kind of animals might be using her for food and shelter. When they guessed right, the puppets of those animals peaked up through her "cavity". It was great fun--with the exception of some DISBELIEVERS in the audience. Can you believe kindergartners don't believe in talking trees?!

Jigsawing

Nothing says "trapped on the top of a mountain" like four 23 year olds sitting at the kitchen table doing a Plimoth Plantation jigsaw puzzle until midnight.

the climb

Conquered Rough Butt Bald yesterday. It was a tiring hike that seemed like much farther than 9 miles, so I'm calling it 11. It probably didn't help that when we got to the end of our hike, Denise (who's car was parked at the end of the trail) realized that she had left her keys in the car parked at the beginning of the trail, 9 (or 11) miles back! But thanks to the kindness of strangers we got a ride to the other car and didn't have to retrace our steps and the last 5 hours.


9am. The clouds hanging low over the valley.


(From left to right): 3 experienced hikers and 1 novice.

Rough Butt Bald

The moment we've all (I've) been waiting for for! Hiking the RBB this weekend. Honestly, I'm just climbing it because of the name, but I think the overlook with be worth it too.

Hike- 9 miles
Elevation- 5,800

Photos to come!

Pasta with fresh basil from the garden!

Plus, Cindy (boss) brought me in seedlings of anise hyssop and calendula. The garden is growing!

out on the porch

Zach and I found the craziest looking moth outside the dorm yesterday. I have no idea what kind it is, but there is speculation that it might be a cecropia. What do you think?



p.s. google "cecropia moth caterpillar". It is unreal! <3 nature.

Coming to the Cradle in June!

Battie

I've been doing a little bat research for the Winged Creatures of the Night event that's coming up in June. No bat facts yet, but I did find the MOST ADORABLE PICTURE EVER. Not your traditional "adorable", but more of a "i'm pretty cute if you don't look at my feet" adorable.

BABY fruit bat!
(picture from ntnews.com.au)

Okay, I lied. I totally do have a bat fact (or a not-so-bat fact)! It's about the catchphrase "going battie", which is not related to bats at all! The phrase comes from William Battie, a psychiatrist who believed his institutions could cure the mentally ill. To be "going battie" meant that you were sent to one of his asylums.

Note To Self:

Minnesota is not in the same time zone as North Carolina.


Plus, how pretty is this map!?

Celebration in action!

birding

crafting


Considering the pop-up thunder storms, the Songbird Celebration had a pretty decent turn-out today. I'm relieved to have a successful event under my belt and ready to OWN the next three Saturday events coming up in June.

freshly planted herb garden! (ie basil)

Check out that red dirt!

Preparations...

Cardboard birds ready to be decorated and hung as a necklace.

Just one of the many crafts that will be available at the Songbird Celebration tomorrow...

Cherokee, NC

I took a work field trip to the Cherokee Indian Reservation yesterday for the All Cultures Event and it was prrrrrrettty great. We had a fantastic speaker who told us some traditional Cherokee stories and we also got to tour the Museum of the Cherokee Indian for FREE. Bonus!

The highlight was the dancing, though. This is a close-up of one of the Deer Clan dancers. Doesn't he look happy?

On Ze Trail

Hiked Pilot Rock Trail yesterday and consequently, today my legs feel like they aren't attached to my body. Nevertheless, it was a good time with some great views!

Scient-erfic!

Spent the afternoon in my lab (the kitchen) doing some plant dye experiments. We are having a group of AP science students come next Friday (intimidating!) and rather than trying to keep up with them on science topics, I've decided to WOW them with art.

HYPOTHESIS
These plants will produce dyes that we can paint with:
dandelion root: red/brown
dandelion flower: yellow
sweet woodruff root: reddish
calendula: ?MYSTERY? (although, probably pale yellow)

Speaking of dandelions...


people will deep-fry anything these days.

TGIF

I've recovered from my food poisoning and I think it's safe to say that my first potluck was also my last potluck.

Even though I had a shortened work week--I'm still feeling cooped-up on the mountain. I can't wait to get down to some flatter land this weekend!

Excuse the hiatus...

... I was poisoned at the potluck.

Just about the best thing since sliced...well, wait a minute...

Bracken Mountain Bakery is located on Broad St. in Brevard and open Tuesdays-Saturdays. Not-so-conveniently, these are also the days I work. But (law have mercy!) starting in May, they are open Mondays too! I've been eyeing this bakery since moving here 3 weeks ago, and was finally able to stop in there yesterday. I was not disappointed! The bread is delish and the prices aren't half-bad either.

Overheard On The Trail

Friday, 3rd grade group from Asheville Christian Academy

Teacher: "Wow, you are on today, Zach"

((zach was answering all my (really hard) questions correctly))

Zach: "Yeah, I had a smoothie for breakfast"



kids=great.

Rough Draft

Any suggestions for making this poster kick-ass would be much appreciated!