tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41986803329635043842024-03-05T08:04:14.214-08:00Efflorescency{the state or a period of flowering}
Join me on adventures in the natural world!Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-64720540319246057152023-11-09T14:59:00.000-08:002023-11-09T14:59:14.810-08:00Carolina On My Mind: Part 4, Umstead State Park, Durant Nature Preserve & The OBX<p style="text-align: center;"> It was a beautiful day to explore some natural areas before we went to the Outer Banks! First up was Umstead State Park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsQneQ9etsp8piCEHHtTwLAF04RGr7S1p1g1gSurMU_Ov_MLSjOuEXOygb4RGiXvWOPHdV_VsesnAW09cgqMdSoUSd_KVPJ2wCPR9GPtIpLedUiTHf1XMCH-16BwoY9FLaIVgfnXOtH4i9cvAxFCd_V5qJKNCse9ejMHHhZOE_3MKTiLGBPZRueQddbw/s4608/20210627_114855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsQneQ9etsp8piCEHHtTwLAF04RGr7S1p1g1gSurMU_Ov_MLSjOuEXOygb4RGiXvWOPHdV_VsesnAW09cgqMdSoUSd_KVPJ2wCPR9GPtIpLedUiTHf1XMCH-16BwoY9FLaIVgfnXOtH4i9cvAxFCd_V5qJKNCse9ejMHHhZOE_3MKTiLGBPZRueQddbw/w480-h640/20210627_114855.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">We saw cool rocks, mushrooms, and some ferns.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8FF46AtXF3OoEiIsWzsV9R7MX3tltLsSnfQDd9m3brFGwJatefH1IG_VFLtURcMyZljXyQKE8JC6kA68O8o34FHTpW4fhyphenhyphenMu-pJdC4bOMhLQ1uobYyZDGJ_oTmoI3mVU5qd5vKOBN1bD7AJrnfbrNReFtAWlzEEOGq7B8vq5TX3kDAcDzGGaftFELFc/s4032/20210627_114800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8FF46AtXF3OoEiIsWzsV9R7MX3tltLsSnfQDd9m3brFGwJatefH1IG_VFLtURcMyZljXyQKE8JC6kA68O8o34FHTpW4fhyphenhyphenMu-pJdC4bOMhLQ1uobYyZDGJ_oTmoI3mVU5qd5vKOBN1bD7AJrnfbrNReFtAWlzEEOGq7B8vq5TX3kDAcDzGGaftFELFc/w480-h640/20210627_114800.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1NaqvGVLGtpwwRuxTLlr1-vhZNEuomnPcm_2v4jpLZfTltX3VFdSht85zUAL4vX2PzaIjKxTFG8pU4t5nyM8dF3GsRVApxR1OOJYGBreFRa_YTo0Nth1xmv-u2X0B46110GGTl0Vkl7JVbqqnByawgfoWtSpi1LEyEbuLIG2wxdUMI34s3v7p-iu5Ag/s4032/20210627_114807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1NaqvGVLGtpwwRuxTLlr1-vhZNEuomnPcm_2v4jpLZfTltX3VFdSht85zUAL4vX2PzaIjKxTFG8pU4t5nyM8dF3GsRVApxR1OOJYGBreFRa_YTo0Nth1xmv-u2X0B46110GGTl0Vkl7JVbqqnByawgfoWtSpi1LEyEbuLIG2wxdUMI34s3v7p-iu5Ag/w480-h640/20210627_114807.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNeuQ4VJY3hiLlI1qPiJPoSeeC72IQL-VQo0mGQOi-10M6R54-7bXqINCqNr8A8ccwW0V407Rff4YpTz8Jwr2oHFJHajG-Y-ovRTvGk3lMMD3wlNazxgUF_PWtGpBeIBqf4AbaeL3WDWvDd7xYltRJDhiAySCDCikm1SQ3C_3ic9nXnUdHRs79EM5ubM/s4032/20210627_114723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNeuQ4VJY3hiLlI1qPiJPoSeeC72IQL-VQo0mGQOi-10M6R54-7bXqINCqNr8A8ccwW0V407Rff4YpTz8Jwr2oHFJHajG-Y-ovRTvGk3lMMD3wlNazxgUF_PWtGpBeIBqf4AbaeL3WDWvDd7xYltRJDhiAySCDCikm1SQ3C_3ic9nXnUdHRs79EM5ubM/w480-h640/20210627_114723.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">The log sculpture was awesome! The intricate details really caught my eye.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZ__ohLxzDYvY99s22WcXY-ezFftAvuvZA9tZdXHqjw_eYvo5_mlhna1lVHRzIMUGWMQ957vrwlr2-QdMbkPHOoxufavBuszhoohK8opHHgLYb7ktrZ7rhwO1JQr8DSZ48IEBLS7gY04-IwAbvkCSsuSZfYHQ_OvCIH6ukKH_U6CbDnydCjp5sUgcsbM/s4608/20210627_121431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZ__ohLxzDYvY99s22WcXY-ezFftAvuvZA9tZdXHqjw_eYvo5_mlhna1lVHRzIMUGWMQ957vrwlr2-QdMbkPHOoxufavBuszhoohK8opHHgLYb7ktrZ7rhwO1JQr8DSZ48IEBLS7gY04-IwAbvkCSsuSZfYHQ_OvCIH6ukKH_U6CbDnydCjp5sUgcsbM/w480-h640/20210627_121431.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">We were on a time crunch, so after a short walk we left the state park and drove over to Durant Nature Preserve, which Steve used to frequent when he lived close by. They had a cute butterfly garden!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDM4W3MqpaM6Ohm7yer8JDJDTx-vr9slfcTCRFj1HFBz-D8VksEE3ZxR1EaD03tBoI0nEH15IqC1HMxO47fCN5aRkRVDosYBSWt4rpGn3Sb2QciI1eFTP2VdAC8df9Eeq2VDML9vToixbP-E32lZs-At5VZMqxBPHcGvtyW5ZWxjcuunMqZ6uoG4pM3M/s4032/20210627_134100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDM4W3MqpaM6Ohm7yer8JDJDTx-vr9slfcTCRFj1HFBz-D8VksEE3ZxR1EaD03tBoI0nEH15IqC1HMxO47fCN5aRkRVDosYBSWt4rpGn3Sb2QciI1eFTP2VdAC8df9Eeq2VDML9vToixbP-E32lZs-At5VZMqxBPHcGvtyW5ZWxjcuunMqZ6uoG4pM3M/w640-h480/20210627_134100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I wandered a bit on my own and found some cool plants and a funky fungus. The <i>Oxalis</i> was new to me, but I was familiar with the <i>Goodyera</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzWiiprhTZngBAEAHLBIkkTtDAhP9BmwLOa4-SVweXec4uZTabwuNWzSWc5XmbCH4n9pOU43_XpUuB15tH9XI5GoOlj38dZziJTGxvO-TIKT4Vg4Oy8K4JxkWS9rICQYRZ8R8kLIiYpJ7NrdSwCmb9HnrJ1jdNGb1G7fc0mQf5tzIOtIyJzZtLIAcArk/s4032/20210627_135907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzWiiprhTZngBAEAHLBIkkTtDAhP9BmwLOa4-SVweXec4uZTabwuNWzSWc5XmbCH4n9pOU43_XpUuB15tH9XI5GoOlj38dZziJTGxvO-TIKT4Vg4Oy8K4JxkWS9rICQYRZ8R8kLIiYpJ7NrdSwCmb9HnrJ1jdNGb1G7fc0mQf5tzIOtIyJzZtLIAcArk/w480-h640/20210627_135907.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh305ODH2WY0PnnTYDFEIM3KdviUe4fKV-feTae1wlZfj7YV5bVnxdtN1_pTNrdwSNa_d-_2vDLBH21KHNwLt05WUD3nKrwdSMvyTIEQ-qLWi_fEpU5H_quHZSqgiPweaI_YDh449jdBRLIVENtLWNyQzkV-gDxYY5UsTCanU9XVoyJmgqduBApB2SHMIQ/s4032/20210627_135602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh305ODH2WY0PnnTYDFEIM3KdviUe4fKV-feTae1wlZfj7YV5bVnxdtN1_pTNrdwSNa_d-_2vDLBH21KHNwLt05WUD3nKrwdSMvyTIEQ-qLWi_fEpU5H_quHZSqgiPweaI_YDh449jdBRLIVENtLWNyQzkV-gDxYY5UsTCanU9XVoyJmgqduBApB2SHMIQ/w480-h640/20210627_135602.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6NKGUcleVjQt_rUE36aAUwe412LpXmuY4jVVmTeHvbe0JgrV986F6OoPfY5IFPtCO6gYHqignGdT6mRkj2393VIV6bi7HHZdwi3Qyq5xzLGvbDMuhatyeS0FN9kEs1jLHwVENxYnLwWvqPCswRRmu2OsCY0_pXxTxj_8x88fzx90azM9G2SEGweetJ0/s4032/20210627_135537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6NKGUcleVjQt_rUE36aAUwe412LpXmuY4jVVmTeHvbe0JgrV986F6OoPfY5IFPtCO6gYHqignGdT6mRkj2393VIV6bi7HHZdwi3Qyq5xzLGvbDMuhatyeS0FN9kEs1jLHwVENxYnLwWvqPCswRRmu2OsCY0_pXxTxj_8x88fzx90azM9G2SEGweetJ0/w480-h640/20210627_135537.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">Finally we made the journey out to the Outer Banks. Part of me wanted to explore some more natural areas, but I wanted to spend time with Steve and the kids. So we went to the beach at Nag's Head!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlq2ZuaKm_EmjTG4VuOeoZ77K3a0GMFJHbr2ffI7BUXIh5ROhy5N-J6iaKCYJk2DBGrxuhExk9syFKka55BdFKc30hyphenhyphenTgkyXmwedTLAiO9CTIS2KWXiSRP68vIZcfU12yoOmUaIGtDe_2esiGFlgiwTNJN-88UorzRJJNPYhP__pZ5tyL_I2Df5RR1pE/s4032/20210627_184245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlq2ZuaKm_EmjTG4VuOeoZ77K3a0GMFJHbr2ffI7BUXIh5ROhy5N-J6iaKCYJk2DBGrxuhExk9syFKka55BdFKc30hyphenhyphenTgkyXmwedTLAiO9CTIS2KWXiSRP68vIZcfU12yoOmUaIGtDe_2esiGFlgiwTNJN-88UorzRJJNPYhP__pZ5tyL_I2Df5RR1pE/w480-h640/20210627_184245.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jit-9PivxBFQNSRuE5RQlz38y5hwZsJTEij505nlY3lZcOGaAVoMBMDHEv_UKUlovg3SbU7k60nFtnrESq69egwe1pMgiZYwM8TuY5UpLNWIPerLUg6VyWGWTKY0FSMLr5uG9S3Z599tXZ8zNPzOnYkqjv-QfmyTIOuMCi3WH08xQBuYzQKRMT739ME/s4032/20210627_190322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Jit-9PivxBFQNSRuE5RQlz38y5hwZsJTEij505nlY3lZcOGaAVoMBMDHEv_UKUlovg3SbU7k60nFtnrESq69egwe1pMgiZYwM8TuY5UpLNWIPerLUg6VyWGWTKY0FSMLr5uG9S3Z599tXZ8zNPzOnYkqjv-QfmyTIOuMCi3WH08xQBuYzQKRMT739ME/w640-h480/20210627_190322.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQu36Jpck3MLLr8pzhz9M98biOxEcnxU5oXW4G3cJNnU0dLGkuRFFg1fFiKF6cc1xkdFRigfqSL7eBDV_IujcS_Yal3Dk0z28FzMZCDPzcmcN1vZH7guCbBsQoywNwAVUh1wALn8r7DJy5JIc1DIjvGkcMmuSpeYoPZcBqDsaBQ2vsiMFPq9Jtnfzz-E/s4032/20210627_194428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQu36Jpck3MLLr8pzhz9M98biOxEcnxU5oXW4G3cJNnU0dLGkuRFFg1fFiKF6cc1xkdFRigfqSL7eBDV_IujcS_Yal3Dk0z28FzMZCDPzcmcN1vZH7guCbBsQoywNwAVUh1wALn8r7DJy5JIc1DIjvGkcMmuSpeYoPZcBqDsaBQ2vsiMFPq9Jtnfzz-E/w640-h480/20210627_194428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">After some time the sun started to set, so we dried off and loaded back into the car. We drove over to the Bodie Island Lighthouse and looked up at the stars.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMS0ra4EAijDLEZILGYL0eQSsjeuA3-YTbNFKg0KWYIhVK8JKZRoN6xkjnDe4Hsfp6tPMvKAXzLPfz44Df9d2iAt4Qs4bWahua7d7HGfOrgvOq69Oeu7JPxAxZDql1Om6IpmUppS48NYrKercrcAnp6kShMaHxTNeiNjbcsunVk37qrj5QiUmvQXErX0/s4032/20210627_214424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMS0ra4EAijDLEZILGYL0eQSsjeuA3-YTbNFKg0KWYIhVK8JKZRoN6xkjnDe4Hsfp6tPMvKAXzLPfz44Df9d2iAt4Qs4bWahua7d7HGfOrgvOq69Oeu7JPxAxZDql1Om6IpmUppS48NYrKercrcAnp6kShMaHxTNeiNjbcsunVk37qrj5QiUmvQXErX0/w480-h640/20210627_214424.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/SWXkF9k7GGvESTNk7">Click here for more photos!</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">One more post for the NC adventures!</p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0North Carolina, USA35.7595731 -79.0192996999999917.4493392638211517 -114.17554969999999 64.06980693617885 -43.863049699999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-74831677873970432652023-11-09T14:21:00.000-08:002023-11-09T14:21:37.834-08:00Carolina On My Mind: Part 3, Sarah P. Duke Gardens<p style="text-align: center;"> Another garden on my bucket list was Sarah P. Duke Gardens. I made a beeline for the Asiatic Arboretum. I was fascinated by the bamboo and gorgeous views.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4ybYIp6aUpTbde_nEcg8uKf5fMlbG84Mu5LjBVaIiqitEHXv9I8hYziBLGkpQ_V-_-obzhIufmWGifpXEryvFv8FqMwkMpcC3ZzpM6oJC09QChz94O4oUXAKJZ5GD3_g4ynhcNdTNQcRZ-4hKt7_k7NtyDCq7QjFZrmJU6Xq45XqvUZhRq_RWdMBr5Q/s4608/20210626_174850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4ybYIp6aUpTbde_nEcg8uKf5fMlbG84Mu5LjBVaIiqitEHXv9I8hYziBLGkpQ_V-_-obzhIufmWGifpXEryvFv8FqMwkMpcC3ZzpM6oJC09QChz94O4oUXAKJZ5GD3_g4ynhcNdTNQcRZ-4hKt7_k7NtyDCq7QjFZrmJU6Xq45XqvUZhRq_RWdMBr5Q/w480-h640/20210626_174850.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCudvdYj7p4aUppsconc6M8GnWgVUsIwDmj2IioR8u9L3-dC975qaX76eQ77qfvd6_pYVyx9k8VbjRClnV9334ypBeD84Bq2QV7XAELAoPN4g_9fNXich5QHZ0VHs436tkA6zVtX4ciIRGjE8AGIvozNQ-dyONalhVVUaxBRqqjYntqd4nh2bGXiAT64E/s4608/20210626_175424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCudvdYj7p4aUppsconc6M8GnWgVUsIwDmj2IioR8u9L3-dC975qaX76eQ77qfvd6_pYVyx9k8VbjRClnV9334ypBeD84Bq2QV7XAELAoPN4g_9fNXich5QHZ0VHs436tkA6zVtX4ciIRGjE8AGIvozNQ-dyONalhVVUaxBRqqjYntqd4nh2bGXiAT64E/w480-h640/20210626_175424.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">I wandered for a bit and saw a wooden zig zag bridge. There is a small stone one at Chicago Botanic's Sansho-En!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TDZKsauW3WF4GRWYsYSTMxrE1GunoKvGHknYk2DeiYl1AcG7ie0lounWkkg05trnOrjVR6QoX0hqeofW7xDjFipuwRNpkyO01-43_lBgwvfIPVXSsLs3PLMLA7lLCEPyCae27I8Sxem9Wq4KZZti5xlBmh5o7IMptpbyz6q3g0MJYYuLt6C7F98E_cM/s4032/20210626_175936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TDZKsauW3WF4GRWYsYSTMxrE1GunoKvGHknYk2DeiYl1AcG7ie0lounWkkg05trnOrjVR6QoX0hqeofW7xDjFipuwRNpkyO01-43_lBgwvfIPVXSsLs3PLMLA7lLCEPyCae27I8Sxem9Wq4KZZti5xlBmh5o7IMptpbyz6q3g0MJYYuLt6C7F98E_cM/w480-h640/20210626_175936.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Japanese maples were beautiful, as always.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo87zxHX71i8cqkmjcy7Nj1rdZFZykTkgR4j-P2mA4v_4_P02tZ978B0s4A2fyg7btNYhlG25uPIkPymrzN50h4IBdAXpHsWc51FCQ_eEtac7RsDhl3PizGsXR54rhysaDdk4rg0rDH-IVCY8H8zGuJQHVXTg1sDVKnbrVFRE7T8un-uBOClQn6UG3Gs/s4032/20210626_180412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEo87zxHX71i8cqkmjcy7Nj1rdZFZykTkgR4j-P2mA4v_4_P02tZ978B0s4A2fyg7btNYhlG25uPIkPymrzN50h4IBdAXpHsWc51FCQ_eEtac7RsDhl3PizGsXR54rhysaDdk4rg0rDH-IVCY8H8zGuJQHVXTg1sDVKnbrVFRE7T8un-uBOClQn6UG3Gs/w480-h640/20210626_180412.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">The red arch bridge stood out in the landscape.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9feAZFFfU_2WLym_wPKaB1rAomk2GIatSeXXrsIg98sx4OCIVRCBOU2ZxVaAfltM4-tSpGY0M79t6E9ywf8fdtVEhQpxr6cPAlc0Nc8bsFx8C6eEyJZruXekn1St7a27wzYwu9o5KuccvqPG2aR6CXKbiKNbzyiR_irQGi1JoUenRKqFp85KTc4jtGXU/s4032/20210626_180704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9feAZFFfU_2WLym_wPKaB1rAomk2GIatSeXXrsIg98sx4OCIVRCBOU2ZxVaAfltM4-tSpGY0M79t6E9ywf8fdtVEhQpxr6cPAlc0Nc8bsFx8C6eEyJZruXekn1St7a27wzYwu9o5KuccvqPG2aR6CXKbiKNbzyiR_irQGi1JoUenRKqFp85KTc4jtGXU/w400-h300/20210626_180704.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The Historic Gardens were my next stop.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENK9F0S0cyJ0jQv-xJmKDUDnFwgFJT_n1weYMk4HtuBs8S0XHxuchLKf9tCFvbceb96EGr0dJ-wAhCVe97epbCrffl96Gb5EmmPoQjJ1wbMUrzX5tD2UpCS8Pr2qWkNChhPdooeyQKZGQIt4eNvc0EHVRl-wWl6GLt-byVYZSGvV7G15O3YwJuPPny_U/s4032/20210626_182458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENK9F0S0cyJ0jQv-xJmKDUDnFwgFJT_n1weYMk4HtuBs8S0XHxuchLKf9tCFvbceb96EGr0dJ-wAhCVe97epbCrffl96Gb5EmmPoQjJ1wbMUrzX5tD2UpCS8Pr2qWkNChhPdooeyQKZGQIt4eNvc0EHVRl-wWl6GLt-byVYZSGvV7G15O3YwJuPPny_U/w480-h640/20210626_182458.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was so much beautiful texture and a lovely fountain in this part of the garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZZ6niSsh6cpK7-dXl-c_K1Z-H3D5orD-41KG8eqYo-zf6QpdUqhAAj4nhuG9UTNfI0T6Bz32BiKabi7kMcRTwjVTAf23Ua806KreEtHggqmSebepO1N3PXTyY94blkWGRNA4YP9V13zyYRuZdsJ-6i4m5ni2I1FWsoaxPKMrBHnkOeivCbGwoDBt180/s4608/20210626_183312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZZ6niSsh6cpK7-dXl-c_K1Z-H3D5orD-41KG8eqYo-zf6QpdUqhAAj4nhuG9UTNfI0T6Bz32BiKabi7kMcRTwjVTAf23Ua806KreEtHggqmSebepO1N3PXTyY94blkWGRNA4YP9V13zyYRuZdsJ-6i4m5ni2I1FWsoaxPKMrBHnkOeivCbGwoDBt180/w480-h640/20210626_183312.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIZOgnDinvPb1W_LX_v0-x5jBUwThzxphaHKtgWw_fE_K7z0xV6tPIz4m6HPK_TJaPVRf248_HpUKN3qaf1ao17NvkcwxMkK9iVHEs1gXOHVpYPg9qauvC2maUKIY5E3VxAPYYyKA5F5ekKv74L5Gq6QMoxayH11P5E7LWQgwnT23Yt3sWQXLKUA8nYk/s4032/20210626_183819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIZOgnDinvPb1W_LX_v0-x5jBUwThzxphaHKtgWw_fE_K7z0xV6tPIz4m6HPK_TJaPVRf248_HpUKN3qaf1ao17NvkcwxMkK9iVHEs1gXOHVpYPg9qauvC2maUKIY5E3VxAPYYyKA5F5ekKv74L5Gq6QMoxayH11P5E7LWQgwnT23Yt3sWQXLKUA8nYk/w480-h640/20210626_183819.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made my way to the native plant section, which had some beautiful pitcher plants and a big snail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxc9ccGFoVk5evwfHxOMVDNfR9VP1eRIAo5CnH5ci93KO7Y3mMpT__bzi2nShSuydEFfhmeyIM7Y_UI1CS1393PrCjr7wljEcDC9zNBAHSUYVbrvMHXFjG9t-NJ0cByq0uHGpUXTJm8TL4afMErdKwBXHM_Bbakcm7akMckkHWyGL196DwDvDws0n86E/s4032/20210626_184444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxc9ccGFoVk5evwfHxOMVDNfR9VP1eRIAo5CnH5ci93KO7Y3mMpT__bzi2nShSuydEFfhmeyIM7Y_UI1CS1393PrCjr7wljEcDC9zNBAHSUYVbrvMHXFjG9t-NJ0cByq0uHGpUXTJm8TL4afMErdKwBXHM_Bbakcm7akMckkHWyGL196DwDvDws0n86E/w480-h640/20210626_184444.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqccgac_DQK6cdn5pfkcy8GaYPNHnWkMpm6uK5Ro4hn6Tz2rxkh87t9IU8i-Lu7JVTQTXkENTTwNl827K-z0kwhS3-kH-BFcJP6cXsqxiYUJIcqUnqj2EPs49zQAL8bPC_wF4adqTBdiyi1bJKAGm7NaGh4rn7Q2zxV0wsAhhz2dtYonxgoOCyDTfZy6E/s4032/20210626_184958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqccgac_DQK6cdn5pfkcy8GaYPNHnWkMpm6uK5Ro4hn6Tz2rxkh87t9IU8i-Lu7JVTQTXkENTTwNl827K-z0kwhS3-kH-BFcJP6cXsqxiYUJIcqUnqj2EPs49zQAL8bPC_wF4adqTBdiyi1bJKAGm7NaGh4rn7Q2zxV0wsAhhz2dtYonxgoOCyDTfZy6E/w480-h640/20210626_184958.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was time to go back to the hotel, but not before we grabbed some awesome taiyaki ice cream!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqtf4vy82v7H9S5vlhaqDk4e7QL1y5TXTWRLfc14xTGwzh9KKNG-R4iE_AYMxIeU5fdAi0vuJ1dlosRnA5BpqId3a3Sy_kkdWEVzZfKVwp6Y7VzRPg9fKBBLqxQHfqOhuF47dGWCRNvLW09kf_q6LUenrEEWNCXnouS2z4d3vVJm3-OL9RIvPvmj2RaQ/s4032/20210626_191951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqtf4vy82v7H9S5vlhaqDk4e7QL1y5TXTWRLfc14xTGwzh9KKNG-R4iE_AYMxIeU5fdAi0vuJ1dlosRnA5BpqId3a3Sy_kkdWEVzZfKVwp6Y7VzRPg9fKBBLqxQHfqOhuF47dGWCRNvLW09kf_q6LUenrEEWNCXnouS2z4d3vVJm3-OL9RIvPvmj2RaQ/w480-h640/20210626_191951.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ ~ ~</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/WPnYD6Nr6NtwGTu87">See more photos here!</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Two more posts about the NC road trip, then I can blog about my adventures from 2023!</p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0Sarah P. Duke Gardens, 420 Anderson St, Durham, NC 27708, USA36.0020104 -78.931132400000018.1595617843557555 -114.08738240000001 63.844459015644247 -43.77488240000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-64541438534315308242023-06-27T14:30:00.000-07:002023-06-27T14:32:26.243-07:00Carolina On My Mind: Part 2, JC Raulston Arboretum & NC Museum of Natural Sciences<p style="text-align: center;">For many years I browsed Pinterest for ideas of which places I might like to go when we made our way to NC finally. I remember every year I would update my "NC Roadtrip 20__" to reflect the upcoming year. </p><p style="text-align: center;">One of the public gardens I was highly interested in was <a href="https://jcra.ncsu.edu/" target="_blank">JC Raulston Arboretum</a>. I had a whole day to dedicate to Raleigh, so I gladly chose to take a nice garden stroll there.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">After stepping out of the car and making my way down a path, the first plants I noticed were <i>Iris domestica </i>(blackberry lily) and <i>Eucomis </i>'Reuben' (a pineapple lily hybrid). Woah! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHB4ODe3j5MgoR2G-FDT7oU65uxTZSRsQ6RS6nExQ12jfyUKX3Z12KGG24rU6j-D7REDPZjLWwiMorGQrOzfXU8znE4spotXVpwQ-giDrxI0Qo3syl0LrL_2qaUNiNIcFIkYPwq6bYvQ/s902-s-no/?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHB4ODe3j5MgoR2G-FDT7oU65uxTZSRsQ6RS6nExQ12jfyUKX3Z12KGG24rU6j-D7REDPZjLWwiMorGQrOzfXU8znE4spotXVpwQ-giDrxI0Qo3syl0LrL_2qaUNiNIcFIkYPwq6bYvQ/w300-h400/?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXcDimIapR6mJPZdKRS24lUwZitdNzqACfw84-DLSKXNrRlXyRAs7UKjZmzfnVFPo9pPdrKwzPWjCIYGXxQRE7tuCocWYHVP5ciIP86-c3kB4JwrMC0Vs0bnLKpyLsbkUf2R-W1-OSQnkyVey-F6ahMQQ=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXcDimIapR6mJPZdKRS24lUwZitdNzqACfw84-DLSKXNrRlXyRAs7UKjZmzfnVFPo9pPdrKwzPWjCIYGXxQRE7tuCocWYHVP5ciIP86-c3kB4JwrMC0Vs0bnLKpyLsbkUf2R-W1-OSQnkyVey-F6ahMQQ=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There waws a cool bee hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXRaNbmVAy_th2BTfDyPlGaXS4nHm_zm8YJN4n4KZYxDt3JQDdBIgYyvIMjptotj0P3e796Q6QLiZ75l0GOYyFM8vW31LiCNI3F8844M0apsp9UThfbnlLtcNIM8zptt_RuWeieSeyYG9cys5alP5_GIQ=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXRaNbmVAy_th2BTfDyPlGaXS4nHm_zm8YJN4n4KZYxDt3JQDdBIgYyvIMjptotj0P3e796Q6QLiZ75l0GOYyFM8vW31LiCNI3F8844M0apsp9UThfbnlLtcNIM8zptt_RuWeieSeyYG9cys5alP5_GIQ=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">The Perrenial Border was abundant with colour and texture.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaVn6TcXedXQAxFQYZjmQt-KNiVGSsPgOeLEmBr1INTftnGcN3KjL3apzMqf-2jwdMlavgSZBjxibbrXUesH7fKbHfERcPGu9vdjXoQVYEvp7NZxpffrsbKoz4tteVhn--E9qFTawJ01CKsPGxzazPqd7g=s1202-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1202" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaVn6TcXedXQAxFQYZjmQt-KNiVGSsPgOeLEmBr1INTftnGcN3KjL3apzMqf-2jwdMlavgSZBjxibbrXUesH7fKbHfERcPGu9vdjXoQVYEvp7NZxpffrsbKoz4tteVhn--E9qFTawJ01CKsPGxzazPqd7g=w400-h300?authuser=0" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I don't remember where exactly I wandered for a bit, but I ended up with these views:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWNqGbCveW-u1hYXpq0Bp6vCOw3vK7brA4AtNltdPrxI6HXACDaj7HM6wbDLG1yEsc7FWdfEVssCtFBSZcAAr77K1-3_rQxn-p5DMJzkgkkN9l_W2eOnZy7-fU2j64ny5YfUCeLVzAONFxBGa0NkuhwNQ=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWNqGbCveW-u1hYXpq0Bp6vCOw3vK7brA4AtNltdPrxI6HXACDaj7HM6wbDLG1yEsc7FWdfEVssCtFBSZcAAr77K1-3_rQxn-p5DMJzkgkkN9l_W2eOnZy7-fU2j64ny5YfUCeLVzAONFxBGa0NkuhwNQ=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWniOgI3-I566MMHQC5fQo_VuuF9ESh5-BeWPkfBNB7reUzOQ2YThZnGr71EheNnQ-N5shgw72WDMl4S0SXulSMDPNX2CIxAeQ-vFnD1qFck9dYgeHlpiQ6B8Gjj1JbKlUgpBgjcv_TdYkHU4J9kUkRfw=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWniOgI3-I566MMHQC5fQo_VuuF9ESh5-BeWPkfBNB7reUzOQ2YThZnGr71EheNnQ-N5shgw72WDMl4S0SXulSMDPNX2CIxAeQ-vFnD1qFck9dYgeHlpiQ6B8Gjj1JbKlUgpBgjcv_TdYkHU4J9kUkRfw=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">And eventually I made it to the Trial Garden area!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXMiy7WpT6evSdR7tTiYaB-TfJrZWyRPcaSCPXhgGhpnl8ssncO6TQxqTWBSHDgPbpoA47RIoAp7yzUFFNhiXLytdz2yJnw2henR56zt2zNxfykj1XmcpFyVyVLvuFsUVeUaAoijCKAzq5UMij8OfciHQ=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXMiy7WpT6evSdR7tTiYaB-TfJrZWyRPcaSCPXhgGhpnl8ssncO6TQxqTWBSHDgPbpoA47RIoAp7yzUFFNhiXLytdz2yJnw2henR56zt2zNxfykj1XmcpFyVyVLvuFsUVeUaAoijCKAzq5UMij8OfciHQ=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaU8XhMObehyT7nb_ba1k3p4nnk9tEC2sdrAe0Znh8iYdcPRjZG_XYhdU5YD5ou3PdE5FfX4pl8Vw_Z6cOteipcBxE9qbHqAfZNO6EM09WjqrGR0yu4k5S2HhnUd4wp7qMMW7lhR-0s8R5PRoD1qpJhFLw=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaU8XhMObehyT7nb_ba1k3p4nnk9tEC2sdrAe0Znh8iYdcPRjZG_XYhdU5YD5ou3PdE5FfX4pl8Vw_Z6cOteipcBxE9qbHqAfZNO6EM09WjqrGR0yu4k5S2HhnUd4wp7qMMW7lhR-0s8R5PRoD1qpJhFLw=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">And then the Lath House:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaVaNo31ysoMSF9pOrZsMJsdE0CghW9aIwlV1koMZ4W6krL16u98pRDReqQgduST_arAIhKOIDF6a5edd5SNXxJvUUzXXXxINoBS7dMuQ0ngAtmSivh5wikLNrDU5M-fmXYAq0SqbGTw4fPn4zP0fTnefA=s1202-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1202" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaVaNo31ysoMSF9pOrZsMJsdE0CghW9aIwlV1koMZ4W6krL16u98pRDReqQgduST_arAIhKOIDF6a5edd5SNXxJvUUzXXXxINoBS7dMuQ0ngAtmSivh5wikLNrDU5M-fmXYAq0SqbGTw4fPn4zP0fTnefA=w400-h300?authuser=0" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaX0GQeZBnYob-k9XQCC4Olb8m85DP9yYvh8EnlUoryfi9GrwUWi53AhFGzG5rPZbGQ2rqzhEmCFsJox53xjjx4acbpcdMht9zhsdHm9pJwP97uh7h4Gv_pHB3dav3kNEcLG8ytC74ZQ98MDZ4Ilx1rMBw=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaX0GQeZBnYob-k9XQCC4Olb8m85DP9yYvh8EnlUoryfi9GrwUWi53AhFGzG5rPZbGQ2rqzhEmCFsJox53xjjx4acbpcdMht9zhsdHm9pJwP97uh7h4Gv_pHB3dav3kNEcLG8ytC74ZQ98MDZ4Ilx1rMBw=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is where I started to really swoon: the Japanese Garden! Which then lead to the Asian Valley, where I sat a spell in the shade. A cool snail and cute pipevine swallowtail kept me company.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOumjha5Kv0sIA1CddKs7K9Odx8Z3sikpAacBm-h-ZWqHH6ytmFR3ItXtDH97NkTxNikMdBUBzi07IHmv3wI0d1lGsQMMLkYfhLM78eTQkN8kqVncvo2ZeuxRF59KVvwhpVOuOm1hseik/s902-s-no/?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOumjha5Kv0sIA1CddKs7K9Odx8Z3sikpAacBm-h-ZWqHH6ytmFR3ItXtDH97NkTxNikMdBUBzi07IHmv3wI0d1lGsQMMLkYfhLM78eTQkN8kqVncvo2ZeuxRF59KVvwhpVOuOm1hseik/w300-h400/?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWlZM1LljHwmjL7NILgnrMMtjNjYOgnSL2ua8R2fDdycp-TDZhCSfbFRDqz5Y07-iAAHfB12QomR4HIqW4B-jlry6myAlZnZv1yqoU6LFkN7GwZkoCUKQMF58MrfJE1t3PPdYIiFno-z9WcEVxT68MEQg=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWlZM1LljHwmjL7NILgnrMMtjNjYOgnSL2ua8R2fDdycp-TDZhCSfbFRDqz5Y07-iAAHfB12QomR4HIqW4B-jlry6myAlZnZv1yqoU6LFkN7GwZkoCUKQMF58MrfJE1t3PPdYIiFno-z9WcEVxT68MEQg=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXpFIn-luDZ-rzDQX_Z2kx-iwGVfdNu4q3QYr-8C1A0nOHO9g0_MmHV0r5NSxNpSmkzJbSIKaOrECWRfe5r3I52n83l7XjqBhKATINDIs6QVI5CXNhgKmUG8npO2XMEnU-fdschMzIHuIKNt7kVtVy1jA=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXpFIn-luDZ-rzDQX_Z2kx-iwGVfdNu4q3QYr-8C1A0nOHO9g0_MmHV0r5NSxNpSmkzJbSIKaOrECWRfe5r3I52n83l7XjqBhKATINDIs6QVI5CXNhgKmUG8npO2XMEnU-fdschMzIHuIKNt7kVtVy1jA=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS85vATL3b4q8eQZbYKw7-Y9qcrLStr4yCB0kLKARpBdpntdG7ZsoWZAnEV65B-pN0rnsrKMeFxvfMvPXN2Pb-EL03A623HANrk4R7jbS61YjUVjRNdOjMBfU3zbz-kcLlijGiAWfAPeA/s902-s-no/?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS85vATL3b4q8eQZbYKw7-Y9qcrLStr4yCB0kLKARpBdpntdG7ZsoWZAnEV65B-pN0rnsrKMeFxvfMvPXN2Pb-EL03A623HANrk4R7jbS61YjUVjRNdOjMBfU3zbz-kcLlijGiAWfAPeA/w300-h400/?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It felt magical to be sitting in a beautiful space dedicated to showcasing plants from the same places my ancestors came from. After a crazy year of anti-Asian terror that made me feel unsafe even in my favourite places, I felt a sense of peace and protection here.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWX0RYc6WoiIZH0lKLfzk3mxzdH4pnv5KFqlYqhHTiFDbX-OvR5HCEgev1ZTsVO0nFF_goI2jB_o-ihcbgGKn_o_Gpma9OGmwTA0-AjJd_WK9EF4wHASd2mvPLCvRZX3RRbsJdOlXde-Ej3Yx081INMjA=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWX0RYc6WoiIZH0lKLfzk3mxzdH4pnv5KFqlYqhHTiFDbX-OvR5HCEgev1ZTsVO0nFF_goI2jB_o-ihcbgGKn_o_Gpma9OGmwTA0-AjJd_WK9EF4wHASd2mvPLCvRZX3RRbsJdOlXde-Ej3Yx081INMjA=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I managed to find my way to the Xeric Garden and Scree Garden before I took another rest at the water feature. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaU0lUkH7HMC7oqEHUx0_rAiS5yksWQdPKNGvILpTXP8dcAnc5ViaqluYEYt_SbkAlOrQfl89OBiaksi1gPLunzx8LumeQq4GbsX03eROiEdTm-cHdmaaRfivM2UuMECdUpZHPTMFEddVmoaXCa8xpBFNw=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaU0lUkH7HMC7oqEHUx0_rAiS5yksWQdPKNGvILpTXP8dcAnc5ViaqluYEYt_SbkAlOrQfl89OBiaksi1gPLunzx8LumeQq4GbsX03eROiEdTm-cHdmaaRfivM2UuMECdUpZHPTMFEddVmoaXCa8xpBFNw=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWG5AnJ61NY5_6H0Pu4FVKbh0QGw7TVSQBmVBX4O82-Y252TOvUSLEbF9Ckuq07YIRc44dq_AOlhO2CypMbEBIPlop_0IybNYPd_C1izLzdcjmmRtWihwWbvdIcLyP4Wu430TejnD9u-C0uXaBic_B4jw=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWG5AnJ61NY5_6H0Pu4FVKbh0QGw7TVSQBmVBX4O82-Y252TOvUSLEbF9Ckuq07YIRc44dq_AOlhO2CypMbEBIPlop_0IybNYPd_C1izLzdcjmmRtWihwWbvdIcLyP4Wu430TejnD9u-C0uXaBic_B4jw=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaVX0yKvQHvZRElKdCHJi9tXe3GUacsOTbZxaftbWdShQsRhv8U3Wxduvvgz8YR62QRq0TdRJLeGRguFuiMZM_F_YViVsIXNuTUA0u2MWVkhbNAA53sJStf3NPtc6ZoIt80rReAEztP77LYd4YKGxXCkIw=s1202-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1202" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaVX0yKvQHvZRElKdCHJi9tXe3GUacsOTbZxaftbWdShQsRhv8U3Wxduvvgz8YR62QRq0TdRJLeGRguFuiMZM_F_YViVsIXNuTUA0u2MWVkhbNAA53sJStf3NPtc6ZoIt80rReAEztP77LYd4YKGxXCkIw=w400-h300?authuser=0" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I popped into the Visitor Center to purchase a JCRA shirt, a pin, a couple books, and snag a few of the free magazines and info pamphlets, then said my goodbye to this wonderful place at the beautiful gate.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bl_MYaR6vNt_zBE2PfyVv8j8Yg4b_TTnZGTl_iap-BWHEYnTXvS5Np_piXXrb99hVEwBEHv5CGblB3TQy9bIhunYmnhOJJCwP1rsjl7JIJ7xBW3BYsYDF3mpcZ0pFana-U5WjZp-q0g/s1202-s-no/?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1202" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bl_MYaR6vNt_zBE2PfyVv8j8Yg4b_TTnZGTl_iap-BWHEYnTXvS5Np_piXXrb99hVEwBEHv5CGblB3TQy9bIhunYmnhOJJCwP1rsjl7JIJ7xBW3BYsYDF3mpcZ0pFana-U5WjZp-q0g/w400-h300/?authuser=0" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWt8exhXgFAhgjwlqXqnQatDA1w_blB-XZPSvHq0AFDcCsMYroCcrbxzxxbV3OZkx8296H8A256fqirUfLl36yVi_3WKO9s8_oGhciEJQp2qVq1ZXilvJhdfd9xrSB5D-w1S_E18A6Hb0TuRR5xhh3crA=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="722" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaWt8exhXgFAhgjwlqXqnQatDA1w_blB-XZPSvHq0AFDcCsMYroCcrbxzxxbV3OZkx8296H8A256fqirUfLl36yVi_3WKO9s8_oGhciEJQp2qVq1ZXilvJhdfd9xrSB5D-w1S_E18A6Hb0TuRR5xhh3crA=w320-h400?authuser=0" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">After Steve picked me up, we grabbed a bite to eat at Jasmin and Olivz, then took the kids to the <a href="https://naturalsciences.org/" target="_blank">NC Museum of Natural Sciences</a>. We really enjoyed the exhibits. I thought the blue bottle tree was cool!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VrKQBJyk7RwjmdSKthzn7q_0fEJQckvFb_ArLhZhxw4w4k2cRutOKZZ9FZQEo1lGkB9hzTNqSxLoyqg1WE1oQWti2gv_NcXqPmRyr_eVZHSIp9oE_N_XWJRtWddXowbPCtu93WqPOeM/s902-s-no/?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VrKQBJyk7RwjmdSKthzn7q_0fEJQckvFb_ArLhZhxw4w4k2cRutOKZZ9FZQEo1lGkB9hzTNqSxLoyqg1WE1oQWti2gv_NcXqPmRyr_eVZHSIp9oE_N_XWJRtWddXowbPCtu93WqPOeM/w300-h400/?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXpItpHeldTWuqHvia7D5PCT7VcgS7FHMo3S_93D0oWtHb_u0an8xz--pM_uun18NRDaM7QtDv72EhZpR7Ml7LIQV16ylt14dmMdDNqvnjprfJDngo3efRXUsJ_CJqcuqqfkGsEBYS-HMOd1GX_awrcSg=s902-s-no?authuser=0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/pw/AJFCJaXpItpHeldTWuqHvia7D5PCT7VcgS7FHMo3S_93D0oWtHb_u0an8xz--pM_uun18NRDaM7QtDv72EhZpR7Ml7LIQV16ylt14dmMdDNqvnjprfJDngo3efRXUsJ_CJqcuqqfkGsEBYS-HMOd1GX_awrcSg=w300-h400?authuser=0" width="300" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/bSzADcTmHQMv4xmG8">Check out more photos here!</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;">I have a few more posts for the NC trip. Our latest road trip was to Virginia. Hopefully it won't take me a year or two to get around to blogging about it!</p><p style="text-align: center;">As always, you can check out my microblogging on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/efflorescency/" target="_blank">@efflorescency</a>!<br /></p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0Raleigh, NC, USA35.7795897 -78.63817877.469355863821157 -113.7944287 64.089823536178841 -43.4819287tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-23851328919342021972023-06-27T14:15:00.002-07:002023-06-27T14:15:18.466-07:00Carolina On My Mind: Part 1, Crowder's Mountain<p style="text-align: center;"> After years of planning on a vacation to North Carolina, we finally made the trip! Steve lived there for a few years, and shortly after he moved back home we met. He wanted to take a family trip back to show me his old haunts and places he knew the kids and I would enjoy. Namely gardens and natural areas, of course.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We piled into our car and made the 14 hour drive to the first stop of our vacation: Crowder's Mountain in Gastonia, NC. Steve used to run up the trails there, but this time he was on a crutch, on the mend from tearing a tendon and two ligaments in the spring. I was worried he would have issues going up a steep trail but he insisted on making this memory as a family. And what a memory it was!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif5pkGrGZt_IJvj22qffkuHEUDik9GiNdWZ6iWQYaVconCN5G0fayKl__rXpzOPn0O8uqx8UJ-ZF-hpDB13PeeO9357RpLKEZ6pEFDu1CVSc8_5yG1jvIEEHtyxSsy4vrO7b4kASNN38jxIsMABdoRFPk_QMXCdu2tQikGj8sLyMRuPBdmVBb10gtO=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif5pkGrGZt_IJvj22qffkuHEUDik9GiNdWZ6iWQYaVconCN5G0fayKl__rXpzOPn0O8uqx8UJ-ZF-hpDB13PeeO9357RpLKEZ6pEFDu1CVSc8_5yG1jvIEEHtyxSsy4vrO7b4kASNN38jxIsMABdoRFPk_QMXCdu2tQikGj8sLyMRuPBdmVBb10gtO=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">It was a hot and humid day, and we didn't really give ourselves much rest after such a long drive. Yet up the trail we went, one excruciating step at a time. Surprisingly none of us gave up, and we were rewarded with incredible views. </p><p style="text-align: center;">For us Northeastern Illinoisans, this was not our usual relatively flat hiking trail. Later on, I realized after researching the trails that we chose one of the more strenuous ones. Oops!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6Ty279oWXUCpuZd_MnCQxjaJGiBQy0mEMQrBJpzrFdhhMPVMkYAPo2kHHE7EDtIC2UnXUfkoRTpYGh3lAikBxXJSXXj-okIMd9yk_AybcNZdam1sxAKPy7Cw8IF8aqNMho5jdRrPXrjQmQOS45MnQZjWvRinyV0qv8LKpBxKZMWYGos0TBQuRpb6I=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6Ty279oWXUCpuZd_MnCQxjaJGiBQy0mEMQrBJpzrFdhhMPVMkYAPo2kHHE7EDtIC2UnXUfkoRTpYGh3lAikBxXJSXXj-okIMd9yk_AybcNZdam1sxAKPy7Cw8IF8aqNMho5jdRrPXrjQmQOS45MnQZjWvRinyV0qv8LKpBxKZMWYGos0TBQuRpb6I=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Winding our way down the mountain was also challenging, and all the people we passed were amazed at Steve hobbling along on his crutch. Oh the things he can do by being incredibly stubborn! But he was right; as a family this was an accomplishment that we all felt proud of, and I must admit we were all pretty satisfied with our first cool NC experience.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I felt especially triumphant because I am <i>terrified</i> of heights; there were many moments of me freaking out thinking my husband or kids were going to tumble down a steep slope and perish. Luckily we were all very cautious and took our hike seriously.</p><p style="text-align: center;">A few of the many interesting finds of the hike were <i>Clitoria mariana</i>, <i>Asclepias amplexicaulis, </i>and a <i>Rubus </i>sp.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvRaTegfweep_nCXX80dYK30NbU0hl-ehJJH1PGRjDBlDy7KvrwxFyOBuGczjVNjum5CNGlhTcwZaT-sNEqWEycpdv0jKDhazbmaeaRsW7sDAZkRiJgWBhEtahIRT1RCr0pCG9sGWPrhVaT-v9BOiumJsmOAtgr1Si-XGYzcQ714j5LVsz8klFch-T=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvRaTegfweep_nCXX80dYK30NbU0hl-ehJJH1PGRjDBlDy7KvrwxFyOBuGczjVNjum5CNGlhTcwZaT-sNEqWEycpdv0jKDhazbmaeaRsW7sDAZkRiJgWBhEtahIRT1RCr0pCG9sGWPrhVaT-v9BOiumJsmOAtgr1Si-XGYzcQ714j5LVsz8klFch-T=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiPKf9G_nqLshoxBqsIQ9knLXBgSBJiti34EoH8rHedrJuViGAAyoOrR606wpgZg-EYW0BQLaGdjsFPpwbdo5pqXqQUnOYgS08F26oR6Mb4fKLzRfzShjvmwV6abdiFrLXf5B1dJYXfVylY0iRjU2ku0xlg9KD2JhogsMZpsZImFfyhxmxOj1Xk7N-=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiPKf9G_nqLshoxBqsIQ9knLXBgSBJiti34EoH8rHedrJuViGAAyoOrR606wpgZg-EYW0BQLaGdjsFPpwbdo5pqXqQUnOYgS08F26oR6Mb4fKLzRfzShjvmwV6abdiFrLXf5B1dJYXfVylY0iRjU2ku0xlg9KD2JhogsMZpsZImFfyhxmxOj1Xk7N-=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9dl-EN8mD7p3nToGMn0OBeAiUg6rmMgwlmnAeanHMI2Acl3ROZ01P9n5hRSpgVPYzhVAVfRV9MN3N87edaJk4i-tZT-1NVRk-lDecW70YgOUdhRrO3zJ-23BvOypb69YsTS7A4FSCB8P7vdDqEr6aLtzh3HA3taIFy-lNeRgcRn_arxUlMxj8Xnct=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9dl-EN8mD7p3nToGMn0OBeAiUg6rmMgwlmnAeanHMI2Acl3ROZ01P9n5hRSpgVPYzhVAVfRV9MN3N87edaJk4i-tZT-1NVRk-lDecW70YgOUdhRrO3zJ-23BvOypb69YsTS7A4FSCB8P7vdDqEr6aLtzh3HA3taIFy-lNeRgcRn_arxUlMxj8Xnct=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Afterwards, we loaded back up into the car and made the 3-hour drive from the Charlotte area to Raleigh, where we had a hotel mishap. After grabbing some grub at Steve's fave restaurant, Red Bowl, and sorting some stuff out, we settled into our hotel in Durham. We all slept very well that night!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/vTXY5WjEH6EfoH348">Click here for more photos!</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;">It only took me 2 years to post this! I had intended to post it in the winter of last year but I got side tracked. I will post more about the NC road trip soon! </p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-2719648899486924472022-01-28T11:05:00.000-08:002022-01-28T11:05:22.831-08:00The Grove: Visiting the Historical Home of Robert Kennicott<p style="text-align: center;">For two Februaries in a row we visited the historic home of Dr. John Kennicott, horticulturist and educator, and his son, naturalist and explorer Robert Kennicott, founder of the Chicago Academy of Sciences. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm always looking for a new place to explore, and in came across a social media post for <a href="https://glenviewparks.org/facilities/the-grove/" target="_blank">The Grove in Glenview, IL</a>. It felt very serendipitous to stumble upon a post from The Grove, as in 2015 I had the great privilege of touring the Chicago Academy of Sciences Peggy Notebaert Herbarium, and in 2016 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8473340-a-death-decoded" target="_blank">I read a book about Kennicott</a> and his tragic fate.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCZJ88cSaVexsUCecrE4dX15CjFGCz1cWVyqNNAGJNB9EZPfXy3JnsgDigUunuYuo_XlM5QIo5omrCcy5OhHLVxhwhQvgNS1tPecq8rfSwiJac43I3k26qbAdhDFuZNIFpijpBf-F-y8/s4608/20200223_133125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCZJ88cSaVexsUCecrE4dX15CjFGCz1cWVyqNNAGJNB9EZPfXy3JnsgDigUunuYuo_XlM5QIo5omrCcy5OhHLVxhwhQvgNS1tPecq8rfSwiJac43I3k26qbAdhDFuZNIFpijpBf-F-y8/w640-h480/20200223_133125.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">The first year was really nice, as the pandemic hadn't taken off, and as such the Interpretive Center was still open. The second year we had a lot of snow on the ground and only the outdoor areas were accessible.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Ari and Sandy had a blast looking at all the critters in the nature center.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw2D5K0LgcGphvFRh6IZXL5r6KzsTMTD1v7VXTT-cKzNST9g3SCjRdxSnK5tybadB8VQJxv8_-PXVqX0jgfyaf4jVBlQZA4lbOa37fqV6byS__e13vZFR_iBiu_lZbLBbytHPdFEH1bKzrle3phl6NgZW0-_9HpMqUeOcFOEPJOJAgSLX1wQP18U2E=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw2D5K0LgcGphvFRh6IZXL5r6KzsTMTD1v7VXTT-cKzNST9g3SCjRdxSnK5tybadB8VQJxv8_-PXVqX0jgfyaf4jVBlQZA4lbOa37fqV6byS__e13vZFR_iBiu_lZbLBbytHPdFEH1bKzrle3phl6NgZW0-_9HpMqUeOcFOEPJOJAgSLX1wQP18U2E=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtt3cO2il9D-g9G4Ug8zUe2GLCkLA0a1zw-fJBTL1M7rXxM9RNDKPkNlRKTCnP8mDJdS7atjPz-MBLYi_6WKs1KkvfF5bCLhlFeqntSfKZVtzq9Te0cC6t1ZS19be8-AlKHwr2lmjKn7W1bl8Z__do3i6QUrgopSZEmCSkf2qoIBpzczf4nraiPUrN=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtt3cO2il9D-g9G4Ug8zUe2GLCkLA0a1zw-fJBTL1M7rXxM9RNDKPkNlRKTCnP8mDJdS7atjPz-MBLYi_6WKs1KkvfF5bCLhlFeqntSfKZVtzq9Te0cC6t1ZS19be8-AlKHwr2lmjKn7W1bl8Z__do3i6QUrgopSZEmCSkf2qoIBpzczf4nraiPUrN=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were fish, turtles, snakes, salamanders, and so much more. The preserved animal specimens were especially interesting. Overall we enjoyed the exhibits and learned a lot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicsyKYJbAUghOyscZ3jjruG5s8GOa1HxmJMLUPrs12W8XjZdWRI8eD8-nQgeNhE4m9iVZdB0cRz7vUP2uHkJH7elYpV-pwJll98spO74gq6xXh5r6y77TO23S1i-7tvuEWQMCx4-rWtznCnTHQxebNcNoyrGWoltBAeH7XFmwLcoO8p4MhE6Jl1MXL=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicsyKYJbAUghOyscZ3jjruG5s8GOa1HxmJMLUPrs12W8XjZdWRI8eD8-nQgeNhE4m9iVZdB0cRz7vUP2uHkJH7elYpV-pwJll98spO74gq6xXh5r6y77TO23S1i-7tvuEWQMCx4-rWtznCnTHQxebNcNoyrGWoltBAeH7XFmwLcoO8p4MhE6Jl1MXL=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB3ygbrepR4_JSPLNaaqUluw2Ndg_aTZMF8YnTUfhulPXB5aiQC7WxO1YtGb7ymm2KRMs7f83Kbi6S6r2uQ3KrEPKaxgUQ-reqlyWejy-SsDo2y-PvcxlFNEOxHVRv_0yGsJvY9s6rNZZHs5JLNaTDnnd92pm45lKljtEvfQR0_-aQ5OxGhg__-NXy=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB3ygbrepR4_JSPLNaaqUluw2Ndg_aTZMF8YnTUfhulPXB5aiQC7WxO1YtGb7ymm2KRMs7f83Kbi6S6r2uQ3KrEPKaxgUQ-reqlyWejy-SsDo2y-PvcxlFNEOxHVRv_0yGsJvY9s6rNZZHs5JLNaTDnnd92pm45lKljtEvfQR0_-aQ5OxGhg__-NXy=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpeRz8tRoza2t99r5keLD9i_FgLFE_conQZIOx6psAJoHIGP0crgBy_vSTjFJQafwtWut-gssqY1ESAFWowL1BGojtPBTo-23OsQ3rveTmStkYP76GZP4b9j3ckD5MOJmbbNowWBlCB1werzJP7NmZPjw-22_iRfyWBkFllsRJyEOwPUk9SiFaYTWk=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpeRz8tRoza2t99r5keLD9i_FgLFE_conQZIOx6psAJoHIGP0crgBy_vSTjFJQafwtWut-gssqY1ESAFWowL1BGojtPBTo-23OsQ3rveTmStkYP76GZP4b9j3ckD5MOJmbbNowWBlCB1werzJP7NmZPjw-22_iRfyWBkFllsRJyEOwPUk9SiFaYTWk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I felt a sense of awe wandering the ground of the Kennicott home, and solemnity at the graves.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb1S3FOAS9_fDxPk4t3PU73Pv0Md-YMgCPq38Id6lR9hIIXUixsxOfa5ud9GFitNn70Yv0t14uVoubVIU9-4ql2-RgENmuPkU4N9rQpW6PQ3RamVpI4oUEYpIKXKYnA9KRNXasPHhGD8/s4032/IMG_20200223_141949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIb1S3FOAS9_fDxPk4t3PU73Pv0Md-YMgCPq38Id6lR9hIIXUixsxOfa5ud9GFitNn70Yv0t14uVoubVIU9-4ql2-RgENmuPkU4N9rQpW6PQ3RamVpI4oUEYpIKXKYnA9KRNXasPHhGD8/w640-h480/IMG_20200223_141949.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFSybvo7KCGobElB7cjwZPX3ePfXJ4GEbF8OZvJBq7AijRy88wMg3LHxVXSAMOR2JiSxRo4HCOLNsAvnR_l2p1H6rGmEyZ-jLumVsHG4jPO7v43TIOFoXbjIBhiEPoHebesA776ivY2I/s4032/IMG_20200223_142015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFSybvo7KCGobElB7cjwZPX3ePfXJ4GEbF8OZvJBq7AijRy88wMg3LHxVXSAMOR2JiSxRo4HCOLNsAvnR_l2p1H6rGmEyZ-jLumVsHG4jPO7v43TIOFoXbjIBhiEPoHebesA776ivY2I/w640-h480/IMG_20200223_142015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">Steve, Ari, and Sandy explored the trails. It was a great way for the kids to get some exercise and fresh air! </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRdYqxbGrqTcH-KKYoL5RaGKadiCqokMUEMS1n-5-Ckunr_Qw8Q-ge1a2EeROyoSViF4EWR4U0Y6PU7Tn8eMVTp8xuFtwTc-oedE5aSXJSjRZmRlv-ZhrOubx1tKnfOuAfNdgu-2afXwSw9KtK8FZDc-C6RXPJMCCCbJNtYs_6sb6MkwlWkzoqMpqn=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRdYqxbGrqTcH-KKYoL5RaGKadiCqokMUEMS1n-5-Ckunr_Qw8Q-ge1a2EeROyoSViF4EWR4U0Y6PU7Tn8eMVTp8xuFtwTc-oedE5aSXJSjRZmRlv-ZhrOubx1tKnfOuAfNdgu-2afXwSw9KtK8FZDc-C6RXPJMCCCbJNtYs_6sb6MkwlWkzoqMpqn=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I highly recommend visiting this place if you are in the area, especially if you have kids! Parking and admission is free for this gem of a place.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The Grove also has volunteer workdays for ecological restoration. Hopefully I can join them sometime soon! What a neat experience that would be. <a href="https://www.applitrack.com/glenviewparks/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1&AppliTrackPostingSearch=title%3Athe%20grove%20&AppliTrackZipRadius=5&AppliTrackSort=type&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail" target="_blank">There are also other volunteer opportunities there.</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/R53V3jXBXMzb37cu9" target="_blank">Click here for more photos.</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;">I definitely fell in love with The Grove, and wish I had learned of it sooner! I have lived in Lake County for most of my life and can't believe I did not know about this place!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I think I'm pretty much caught up with my backlog of posts. Next up will be posts about the NC roadtrip!</p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-20912418468832672202022-01-06T10:49:00.001-08:002022-01-06T10:49:59.044-08:00Somme Prairie Grove: Milkweed Magic<p style="text-align: center;"> I have been to <a href="https://sommepreserve.org/3-preserves/woods/">Somme Woods</a> many times, even for some <a href="https://sommepreserve.org/sign-up/" target="_blank">volunteer workdays</a>, but I had never gone across the road to <a href="https://sommepreserve.org/3-preserves/grove/" target="_blank">Somme Prairie Grove</a>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvhm7mpO5-Ejp7_HvVl8OutYBzMlUET6RxDvBbZ9gvwDoVltYjbjT2O6oks6CPwhs6fbx_ibY06zYIjMWX2H0n2o19L_3Mp5ePHHIDPJ9G-CzcpBk9x3hUEHyCQPFVackCIPjsQCYEqE/s4032/20200703_145409.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvhm7mpO5-Ejp7_HvVl8OutYBzMlUET6RxDvBbZ9gvwDoVltYjbjT2O6oks6CPwhs6fbx_ibY06zYIjMWX2H0n2o19L_3Mp5ePHHIDPJ9G-CzcpBk9x3hUEHyCQPFVackCIPjsQCYEqE/w480-h640/20200703_145409.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">On this adventure, Steve came along with me. We came across beautiful native wildflowers such as <i>Asclepias tuberosa</i> and <i>Silphium perfoliatum</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzwSYg-qEJ59WIRPShjGe0xdODhL8VTCS4d8Y0YfcUlwlRW7M_qvFDVrM-5PkOh2XhxhfiqHKB4gmYwn3RkUlG4qysG4Hub2WtqOrGRlyzs_s-8s-8MPnls0HcClr0l241Fwi6Gxrvi4/s4032/20200703_151943.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzwSYg-qEJ59WIRPShjGe0xdODhL8VTCS4d8Y0YfcUlwlRW7M_qvFDVrM-5PkOh2XhxhfiqHKB4gmYwn3RkUlG4qysG4Hub2WtqOrGRlyzs_s-8s-8MPnls0HcClr0l241Fwi6Gxrvi4/w480-h640/20200703_151943.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAN5mZomsEPs25wZK6qJKDvCcY9z6NACefevNKTfy459YTKB330Y_2SDGzFUURes1kyE_O75SStVlbADOchB4TZ1TNCw4HoQ84f8N-lyxXljerYP4kl8x_B2PvqNN4knIBWqRZRhF2A0/s4032/20200703_152641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAN5mZomsEPs25wZK6qJKDvCcY9z6NACefevNKTfy459YTKB330Y_2SDGzFUURes1kyE_O75SStVlbADOchB4TZ1TNCw4HoQ84f8N-lyxXljerYP4kl8x_B2PvqNN4knIBWqRZRhF2A0/w480-h640/20200703_152641.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The highlight of our exploration was a plant I had wanted to see <i>in situ </i>for a long time: </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Asclepias purpurascens</i>!</p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhvHbm6ygNPpceFthdWLOnq3PKgbkG2DMfYX1OCEmLmdsSBAjOYBYjtLBa3X20OJxFvidthXZbr6P8N4yg6CHGS04vevm6wjSXRvkwbHtTwKb8IF60R50H5fOuWoIaIogNL0kOmpvpZw/s4032/20200703_150557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhvHbm6ygNPpceFthdWLOnq3PKgbkG2DMfYX1OCEmLmdsSBAjOYBYjtLBa3X20OJxFvidthXZbr6P8N4yg6CHGS04vevm6wjSXRvkwbHtTwKb8IF60R50H5fOuWoIaIogNL0kOmpvpZw/w480-h640/20200703_150557.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;">There were so many interconnecting paths to explore, but we were unfortunately short on time and didn't get to explore the whole nature preserve. That just means there's more to see next time!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/eNMXMeNo6bgGazjD8" target="_blank">Click here for more photos!</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season!</p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-89268078942709963782021-09-30T23:09:00.001-07:002021-09-30T23:09:29.238-07:00Illinois Beach State Park: Expect the Unexpected<p style="text-align: center;"> I had two interesting experiences at Illinois Beach State Park during a hike in June of 2020:</p><p style="text-align: center;">The first was realizing there was yet another insect that is dependent on milkweed: <a href="https://uwm.edu/field-station/the-very-unexpected-cycnia/" target="_blank"><i>Cycnia inopinatus</i>, the unexpected cycnia moth</a>. I found this one on <i>Asclepias tuberosa</i>, butterfly weed<i>.</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1P4GzeN_4XIxJ9doThoHSy1eOIIgqQ5iISt8SPWG8h5gq4Wh2msT3rock2PWBsZQxe-OBYsPC0KYF6vUeSx-kiL6TGaXDZ8ywWDQFiWrZ0fD8PZzF2mScllRH67Sb1xdznOqGQBXn7c/s4032/20200624_184810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1P4GzeN_4XIxJ9doThoHSy1eOIIgqQ5iISt8SPWG8h5gq4Wh2msT3rock2PWBsZQxe-OBYsPC0KYF6vUeSx-kiL6TGaXDZ8ywWDQFiWrZ0fD8PZzF2mScllRH67Sb1xdznOqGQBXn7c/w480-h640/20200624_184810.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I actually thought it was a weird instar of the milkweed tussock moth, <i>Euchaetes egle</i>, initially. I certainly was not expecting this caterpillar! I love learning more about the nature around me.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The second was finding out dung beetles live in the same town I grew up in!</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmRGukGX2kruzGUgs8xUuOWGyKw6hp9ps60uvze0MD7CRyC79L1pnZR35qIrPLTpFUU4iNulQ5ch8GfvU1kmvljDgCE3vSQwbPaSTim3m7jilYvGbhGygerMGH3F215VmSDwe4z5MKlI/s4032/20200624_190502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmRGukGX2kruzGUgs8xUuOWGyKw6hp9ps60uvze0MD7CRyC79L1pnZR35qIrPLTpFUU4iNulQ5ch8GfvU1kmvljDgCE3vSQwbPaSTim3m7jilYvGbhGygerMGH3F215VmSDwe4z5MKlI/w640-h480/20200624_190502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How cool are those?! I have hiked and volunteered in IBSP quite a bit and never knew about dung beetles!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Keeping this one short and sweet because I'm working on the NC trip posts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-63308154059314308322021-08-16T14:30:00.005-07:002021-08-16T14:31:41.767-07:00Road Trip Up North: Wisconsin Nature Adventures with Alaina <p>For the second year in a row I was able to tag along with my wonderful friend Alaina when she visited her family in Northern Wisconsin. </p><p>We started out as coworkers at my first hotel job years ago and quickly became friends. We had dreamed of being able to go to her hometown, and she would tell me stories of what it was like growing up that far north. For years we planned on going to Copper Falls someday, but the first time I was able to make the trip, there was a downpour so we did a rain check quite literally.</p><p>On this second trip the weather was perfect. Not a rain cloud in sight! Alaina dressed in neutral greys, and I threw on a pink shirt. Naturally, I couldn't go on the hike we had been waiting ten years for without a souvenir hat, so a quick jaunt to the only gas station in town was in order for my green plaid Up North hat. Obnoxious combo of green and pink? Check. All set for out hike!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nIURsjSJO8xrD77c-9BXhyphenhyphenQ29PqUApY4gbhK37WxvAb1Elwf4AuEp1WKYEufY5N3bTRMGUkpMrAzi6DpW5Ijmf1aGCeI2qOahy60DjUApVDhguO_r89Z_ygk-VVAgBWxEGnE8-yh0Ik/s2944/20200619_161733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nIURsjSJO8xrD77c-9BXhyphenhyphenQ29PqUApY4gbhK37WxvAb1Elwf4AuEp1WKYEufY5N3bTRMGUkpMrAzi6DpW5Ijmf1aGCeI2qOahy60DjUApVDhguO_r89Z_ygk-VVAgBWxEGnE8-yh0Ik/w480-h640/20200619_161733.jpg" title="The smile of someone who knows she cannot escape now." width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smile of someone who knows she cannot escape now.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><p>Off we went to Copper Falls State Park. It was about an hour and a half drive, but long stretches of road with Alaina is never problem. We finally arrived and after parking, my feet hit the pavement and I just felt a sense of accomplishment. Over ten years of promising my best friend we would hike Copper Falls! And finally, <i>finally</i>, we were here! And so we went onwards, onto the dirt path, over bridges, up and down steps.</p><p>Alaina had to poke fun at me because I immediately jumping into taking photos of a plant. But there was a plant AND a bug! :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wUgyv9TSUcd50Tv0k6w8VLkbs4Oh4DHWMPf_j0e9OLqwrqAhxmFerqku2hkBa-maaHfJdABQH8flAcHsLU7dSHFiX4S_rdGQrTM7uzUh5F9nxr4FHuvNER03f2f4wGY1e7OA4J9ggDE/s4032/20200619_145517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wUgyv9TSUcd50Tv0k6w8VLkbs4Oh4DHWMPf_j0e9OLqwrqAhxmFerqku2hkBa-maaHfJdABQH8flAcHsLU7dSHFiX4S_rdGQrTM7uzUh5F9nxr4FHuvNER03f2f4wGY1e7OA4J9ggDE/w480-h640/20200619_145517.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>You'd think after hiking with me at Big Falls on the last trip, poor Alaina would have ran away screaming at the thought of a second hike with me. Not only did she not scream (or, at least she screamed <i>internally</i>!) she invited me to go on an hours long road trip that would include even more hiking! Well, shit happens.</p><p>No, really, it does. And sometimes butterflies are involved.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC2T5iTyVqZxbVjhyphenhyphenVsDuf_Y7W66Xx83EKEoXVTmaVrD-BZb0DuvD4pgtTHcsyTmzue-93OCK68cRUZjK54g5jMYQBr7r2veBXux57IDS-Gqc-xYLnzBe9H9v01Ml4tlu-kEg6nTShJY/s4032/20200619_155435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC2T5iTyVqZxbVjhyphenhyphenVsDuf_Y7W66Xx83EKEoXVTmaVrD-BZb0DuvD4pgtTHcsyTmzue-93OCK68cRUZjK54g5jMYQBr7r2veBXux57IDS-Gqc-xYLnzBe9H9v01Ml4tlu-kEg6nTShJY/w480-h640/20200619_155435.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>We stumbled upon this sight about halfway into our hike, fortunately for me but not so much Alaina. I may or may not have been on my elbows and knees, hovering around poo butterflies, and taking no less than thirty (30) pictures of this scene. I didn't look behind me but I'm pretty sure Alaina was face palming the whole time. </p><p>After the pooperfly incident, we moved along and I noticed two plants: teeny tiny <i>Myosotis arvensis </i>and graceful <i>Cornus canadensis</i>!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1WPkixU7sIiT3s0dKtWgGEi0fDS4t9FPR5l1_TuoR50eIS1qLg8NKlnGfh95sx9ZcVFHUHgOp1cB2aSDNfDYJR_0W2yVHrq5ARQ9vZ84YgtbFVelqShLQgHcRP5XAhCSU_b9BbTqLME/s4032/20200619_160059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1WPkixU7sIiT3s0dKtWgGEi0fDS4t9FPR5l1_TuoR50eIS1qLg8NKlnGfh95sx9ZcVFHUHgOp1cB2aSDNfDYJR_0W2yVHrq5ARQ9vZ84YgtbFVelqShLQgHcRP5XAhCSU_b9BbTqLME/w480-h640/20200619_160059.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcptT9UlsjqeuNn-n84k18D3kFco2rAiiru9gjkYR3hdlO4zbH2MXQYl7xXxzK574_r1BJpMoLdCh1qkrIsfocIWIUxz2yFr8dY7g3NsJs7WIJYdlKPqs2QTsNodYvYwy4NfTNE_WZH14/s4032/20200619_160354.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcptT9UlsjqeuNn-n84k18D3kFco2rAiiru9gjkYR3hdlO4zbH2MXQYl7xXxzK574_r1BJpMoLdCh1qkrIsfocIWIUxz2yFr8dY7g3NsJs7WIJYdlKPqs2QTsNodYvYwy4NfTNE_WZH14/w480-h640/20200619_160354.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>And all throughout the hike we saw some impressive views. There were many beautiful waterfalls and gorgeous gorges to see. The Bad River was a pretty consistent sight during the hike.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwqEkhyd0D3EU9OCiiEwVX1gWO1m13NIPP7AjE2lb3tCeyvFZOopfI1JzejaX-jr3qSEtPfdnJe7pqT8qTOwpvJ7ymK6NxvMwkIRWNsjuSf6FIatg5f9Kh4nbdLU0CJvmdvcsMD1KwDA/s4032/20200619_154616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwqEkhyd0D3EU9OCiiEwVX1gWO1m13NIPP7AjE2lb3tCeyvFZOopfI1JzejaX-jr3qSEtPfdnJe7pqT8qTOwpvJ7ymK6NxvMwkIRWNsjuSf6FIatg5f9Kh4nbdLU0CJvmdvcsMD1KwDA/w480-h640/20200619_154616.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOh_IXcUjEkGKgkr7ePodhc8smuNlP7pSoHcmNHsyDn9p8XcBwaNxPGfhj3kQ4otFh6hfhfgnZy_mH0SBgE7bFESo6cVeKzHsGepqB6374uRF0qL3blMCoSk0SHMKtJtdW4OragZRvkM/s4032/20200619_154218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOh_IXcUjEkGKgkr7ePodhc8smuNlP7pSoHcmNHsyDn9p8XcBwaNxPGfhj3kQ4otFh6hfhfgnZy_mH0SBgE7bFESo6cVeKzHsGepqB6374uRF0qL3blMCoSk0SHMKtJtdW4OragZRvkM/w640-h480/20200619_154218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">After all those beautiful views, once we made it back to the car we had a sense of accomplishment. After all these years of planning, and after one disappointing year of being so close but not being able to go...we did it! I am so grateful to Alaina and her family for their hospitality, and the opportunity to go on adventures!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/1kSVWFWMm4zaeTez7" target="_blank">Click here for more photos!</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I think I had planned on typing up more at the end there, but I've been going through a lot of med changes and depressive episodes, so I started slacking on this post. At this point I just need to get it posted since I have more posts from last year in drafts and I have to type up about more recent adventures before my memories fade too much!</p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-33410421913365964462021-06-09T11:53:00.004-07:002021-06-09T11:53:30.364-07:00Wordless Wednesdays: Wildflowers<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLvED2nVLn9SKbdCbzkQXB7IZDJTyBkUcXxs-S3PzWwEUErx42GKtun_iuKMgudPQVdZha00JDcWxp13iCCOgs83XKjvPPeYplG8A6872viHSPIlejvQDgE3yShHsSZsoOW7R6GXCw0E/s4032/20210523_101059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLvED2nVLn9SKbdCbzkQXB7IZDJTyBkUcXxs-S3PzWwEUErx42GKtun_iuKMgudPQVdZha00JDcWxp13iCCOgs83XKjvPPeYplG8A6872viHSPIlejvQDgE3yShHsSZsoOW7R6GXCw0E/w480-h640/20210523_101059.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4tvVU28f8qJwCrFrssk2BfOU9xQNtbsQjexUHAy-bL8HDJOtPGlO8Ul4Go6GWdeuLNmQm9s64u4lXnf6p1TYH2Vn5OakUMiI1H9HENhWYglninlrmvcia4YAOPQ6XcXv2tngWJZc1Sc/s4032/20210523_103402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4tvVU28f8qJwCrFrssk2BfOU9xQNtbsQjexUHAy-bL8HDJOtPGlO8Ul4Go6GWdeuLNmQm9s64u4lXnf6p1TYH2Vn5OakUMiI1H9HENhWYglninlrmvcia4YAOPQ6XcXv2tngWJZc1Sc/w480-h640/20210523_103402.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWZx7ccS1za5PHOj8v5bwLsjdxzGXlHwhMcTftJ2ADU29ZTR2rLpD8FvA_miaBej1iCkybcEJIjtHtHrsYSgdghRTQ0_9zK9zyUeMx2OFPtCRImAKwkuOiFOZKT00LExLxJ_hg2XF5tA/s4032/20210525_191125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWZx7ccS1za5PHOj8v5bwLsjdxzGXlHwhMcTftJ2ADU29ZTR2rLpD8FvA_miaBej1iCkybcEJIjtHtHrsYSgdghRTQ0_9zK9zyUeMx2OFPtCRImAKwkuOiFOZKT00LExLxJ_hg2XF5tA/w480-h640/20210525_191125.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD832u6bR04nv4gqqDAyUyk4y9niZ5x6AYGSw0jI_uf0aThl9Dk9SJp5q5HygQguYYQ7Ww0q4pLsTE0SeTP0oIvNwj1bsMympDyqB7vG9bLhvlNaHZH9jvncYXDIS2wM5QhSmcXu-vyQ/s4032/20210525_191518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD832u6bR04nv4gqqDAyUyk4y9niZ5x6AYGSw0jI_uf0aThl9Dk9SJp5q5HygQguYYQ7Ww0q4pLsTE0SeTP0oIvNwj1bsMympDyqB7vG9bLhvlNaHZH9jvncYXDIS2wM5QhSmcXu-vyQ/w480-h640/20210525_191518.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4cdEORMyRedwT-bV92MsSYzPKp76EE0ixfOPDqJbkuc9mdVActwn0NDX5Lx0ZBUPVnPI6VojE3-S-5Ll2Xb58XNI7bOQ8Fx98bLnztHdudkVUxzyt9gHG8acdAGEGKbiUmk10agwWQg/s4032/20210605_103828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4cdEORMyRedwT-bV92MsSYzPKp76EE0ixfOPDqJbkuc9mdVActwn0NDX5Lx0ZBUPVnPI6VojE3-S-5Ll2Xb58XNI7bOQ8Fx98bLnztHdudkVUxzyt9gHG8acdAGEGKbiUmk10agwWQg/w480-h640/20210605_103828.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHOjObVLEQl2V8iZQyhAJ1lVfz57al2OpT7B16ZdU89lpQQQ55I4vPCL3nPMJVW17zKDQsR8J15wioRUENR6t2Jh2jVEsgwAoSO_L3jo03IUlFgu3ZX7LRSKGSQwz1AOqQdbRXD027Ms/s4032/20210605_104906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHOjObVLEQl2V8iZQyhAJ1lVfz57al2OpT7B16ZdU89lpQQQ55I4vPCL3nPMJVW17zKDQsR8J15wioRUENR6t2Jh2jVEsgwAoSO_L3jo03IUlFgu3ZX7LRSKGSQwz1AOqQdbRXD027Ms/w480-h640/20210605_104906.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ahqz0XJz6DdiqKO9gezgb4VjacyWAb3F6GytGXixQ2NiqJlgU9Eo2WQvcbkdJQ9l8pHEAEX_X5Wpyeyl96SYgeQUqEqqYsmC0sg89zvlvyWh6ZS75gmp6IeUG8doZFppU7hXeq6Cz3o/s4032/20210605_105504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ahqz0XJz6DdiqKO9gezgb4VjacyWAb3F6GytGXixQ2NiqJlgU9Eo2WQvcbkdJQ9l8pHEAEX_X5Wpyeyl96SYgeQUqEqqYsmC0sg89zvlvyWh6ZS75gmp6IeUG8doZFppU7hXeq6Cz3o/w400-h300/20210605_105504.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-8184651448082364052021-03-05T01:50:00.005-08:002021-03-05T02:00:29.690-08:002020 Recap<p style="text-align: center;"> What a crazy year. It has been far too long since I last posted; I got caught up in work. In fact, I think this is the first time I've touched my laptop since the previous post.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Where to start? Well, during the pandemic I worked as closing manager at a fast food restaurant. I won't go into too much detail as I want to get to the nature part of this post, but it was very difficult. The pandemic made everything hectic. I was constantly worried about catching the virus, amid being treated like dirt by customers, and given impossible numbers to meet by the District Manager.</p><p style="text-align: center;">While working, my mental health, family, and home life took a major hit. When I wasn't at work or sleeping, I threw myself into whatever nature-related activities I could do, in order to keep what precious sanity I had. I barely saw my husband or kids aside from our nature outings, and I neglected my chores, leaving them all to my husband, who also had a stressful full-time job.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I was fortunate enough to quit that job around November in order to focus on my family and mental health full-time. I realised there was still too much of me unhealed, and I had a major breakthrough via a corrected diagnosis: I did not have MDD after all; for 15 years I was taking meds for the wrong thing. It was actually bipolar II.</p><p style="text-align: center;">So, here I am, weaning off my previous meds, and about to be put on new ones. I also have GAD so I will have to take something for the depression, the hypomania, and the anxiety. Hopefully that helps me function better without any crazy side effects. I guess I will see.</p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~ </p><p style="text-align: center;">Now that a general update is out of the way, here's a quick recap of 2020 as far as nature goes!</p><p style="text-align: center;">(January was pretty uneventful, aside from my birthday, so I'll skip that month!)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>February</u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryL15zFBv_EJwpGMP8BP8fUYFwgg8Z2NKZCcz9SXuZn00l9GCK3QMMuamc6A2SBWzgHW5px_CqFkY83V1tLXMl3ngIYbimybPOndoP-HshDCUVoTybTRuikFVEp7dSXXV3NIh3tEpygQ/s4032/00100lrPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200209102413760_COVER.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryL15zFBv_EJwpGMP8BP8fUYFwgg8Z2NKZCcz9SXuZn00l9GCK3QMMuamc6A2SBWzgHW5px_CqFkY83V1tLXMl3ngIYbimybPOndoP-HshDCUVoTybTRuikFVEp7dSXXV3NIh3tEpygQ/w300-h400/00100lrPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200209102413760_COVER.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zQKybu6SLBoc645EToI93FcFiowF0AaWFDxSDoJsk3GunAB_QU1o96qujSDGV1mLfqr3y8JJih1oqGe-0QfcJhVcmQhHImJUsMbE2D1gOD-9LZuwxLxEtPZPrZ3MHNT_wUyCUySZGZ8/s4032/00100lrPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200209100938065_COVER.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zQKybu6SLBoc645EToI93FcFiowF0AaWFDxSDoJsk3GunAB_QU1o96qujSDGV1mLfqr3y8JJih1oqGe-0QfcJhVcmQhHImJUsMbE2D1gOD-9LZuwxLxEtPZPrZ3MHNT_wUyCUySZGZ8/w300-h400/00100lrPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200209100938065_COVER.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2JVP1PuCCPELWWV3yQufXaVdWY2sDKXQqsxIkTPgTtelyvWWsMZBrBA9_QsfRtMRDdww96QeZOmHluYCdWFSMrU1CjwJApxIVJeFADlyeu6U2Ijy3WMttdZ0TsViM15Z1BGX6PAw_Tc/s4032/IMG_20200209_101046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2466" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2JVP1PuCCPELWWV3yQufXaVdWY2sDKXQqsxIkTPgTtelyvWWsMZBrBA9_QsfRtMRDdww96QeZOmHluYCdWFSMrU1CjwJApxIVJeFADlyeu6U2Ijy3WMttdZ0TsViM15Z1BGX6PAw_Tc/w392-h640/IMG_20200209_101046.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">This was right before the pandemic really took off. I'm not sure when exactly I started hearing about the mystery virus, but I believe it was late February. I was fortunate enough to go to Chicago Botanic's Orchid Show: Brilliance a day or two before they decided to shut it down. We also managed to take the kids to visit The Grove for the first time, where we saw a bunch of cool critters as well as historical buildings and items. I will make a separate post for the neat experiences we had there.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>March</u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvcr0luiobSIdufRs3S7H6cLAXqsvfoyb1HGBKSRERt_kyTQTYqUxB4koGLhrv1s0b1f2o9pI3CROuBlEDfdCFBT_gPx8x56gj5itj4Qtk71C-sIs06ybjqmxolGZHwj-EQXUkAXTOrQ/s1987/20200310_090828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="1949" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvcr0luiobSIdufRs3S7H6cLAXqsvfoyb1HGBKSRERt_kyTQTYqUxB4koGLhrv1s0b1f2o9pI3CROuBlEDfdCFBT_gPx8x56gj5itj4Qtk71C-sIs06ybjqmxolGZHwj-EQXUkAXTOrQ/s320/20200310_090828.jpg" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Since CBG was still open, I went several times, but honestly this is when everything kind of went to Hell with the virus, so I don't remember much, aside from being delighted at the sight of double <i>Galanthus</i>.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">April</span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHplhfbpzr2FXIGwkON9aFdLHW1S-yMNwFgwMvQwwyz6rKp1vGru2osVIKmIoM5JcojKQatJkAM6mmVDYg8w5YI1sUbu8z3u2ckTu_DbpZXDfh8A92Iou1JYsCleXnolJVhV38drpsHk/s4032/20200407_131421.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHplhfbpzr2FXIGwkON9aFdLHW1S-yMNwFgwMvQwwyz6rKp1vGru2osVIKmIoM5JcojKQatJkAM6mmVDYg8w5YI1sUbu8z3u2ckTu_DbpZXDfh8A92Iou1JYsCleXnolJVhV38drpsHk/s320/20200407_131421.jpg" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiGK5Bv9HgsQkCgaFdZvOaK-tTvCuCQj0DiLnlmsawPxpbvxVYLQC6rCpizK3jqT66MEGrrQqagW0ROznM3NtIWdMWnd48YpGkcm58xGhII2A1uyLljx4zTsa_WBSDwyQc2qNZR7jf3M/s320/20200407_121137.jpg" /></u></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">Work was crazy busy and stressful in a way it hadn't been pre-pandemic. All I remember is working myself to near death, finding more lawn crocuses, and seeking out spring ephemerals as much as I could in order to get through another workweek. There were times that, mid-hike, I was called in to work. I spent less and less time in our garden at home because I was just so busy.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">May</span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNz45_Uxei-Xnc6DimTV5ZyxfrELNo1m-yk3q0QG4LLnSRvbKfUT9KWKw6tSfueA1ZFAXNtGrr-bIUXfUri_W3soiTqOSv7h8TXjpYKB6yqEeCWxW3b8DIQl2XmJ2TiTHSntcqn2LS38/s4032/20200420_140844.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNz45_Uxei-Xnc6DimTV5ZyxfrELNo1m-yk3q0QG4LLnSRvbKfUT9KWKw6tSfueA1ZFAXNtGrr-bIUXfUri_W3soiTqOSv7h8TXjpYKB6yqEeCWxW3b8DIQl2XmJ2TiTHSntcqn2LS38/s320/20200420_140844.jpg" /></a><u></u></div><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeCMKV8ojhJ9ne4Tr6NOK-o4wGDNhqBg_fiv5V3IlbYnVj4_jceOaPTVHBGMqlQm184qkRR5zHCqP6XWNcmS1DA2M26srlw3Enekp3LGtCQ5ay4xck-bsuNxhTz4jsmPblVCXNLJpkCo/s4032/20200505_172234.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeCMKV8ojhJ9ne4Tr6NOK-o4wGDNhqBg_fiv5V3IlbYnVj4_jceOaPTVHBGMqlQm184qkRR5zHCqP6XWNcmS1DA2M26srlw3Enekp3LGtCQ5ay4xck-bsuNxhTz4jsmPblVCXNLJpkCo/s320/20200505_172234.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="." style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovSn_mtjMszSm3ZKCNlvXEUcemO4PkOxPnAK36HlGTbQNFgtLOeUuy-1czQdRYagZduoxmv4fonsOhL1IRRcegs1WqvqRYbfMo2PdLMYCoP4aGIMS_05wJp3pKQoB9iSvaBVhH3mgsEA/w240-h320/20200430_182845.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MvmLOcuG4xd68lNGaDn_cou13PN8_k1w8-kkMn4_vGDjkn__vOWtBt1s36AQdjcmPaNxNRHuMsB5svDIpfOosHGMmNtVCwD-o_dkN5X_mzwzvnltOZ8QT92-Svld4uDxpAYsfsWpDW0/s320/20200505_190140.jpg" /></div></u><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Steve and I bought a bunch of annuals and filled planters with them, and we finally bought azaleas. I had a lot of cool experiences while hiking, like finding a <i>Claytonia virginica </i>with 6 petals.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">June</span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolsJbDru15Q_-vp6_aK-xoebKB8eX0EAIk8m6rH6nYK0Eho3-eJm5j-Q-v7W-5gR-A1NNMsXNN_pleBSEDI_atjrOFDHpaiAkYCXAea11gupJ7P5gyQPkmAHZF6AVP99Q9srLkysFacU/s4032/20200619_151355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolsJbDru15Q_-vp6_aK-xoebKB8eX0EAIk8m6rH6nYK0Eho3-eJm5j-Q-v7W-5gR-A1NNMsXNN_pleBSEDI_atjrOFDHpaiAkYCXAea11gupJ7P5gyQPkmAHZF6AVP99Q9srLkysFacU/w640-h480/20200619_151355.jpg" width="640" /></a></u></div><u><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I went hiking up in northern WI with one of my best friends after quitting my job for the first time. I will make a separate post to go more in depth about that trip. :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7uCF6yIxXVA2OKM3sI_cGRRKpl7ip-QoRIqCiq0n1Gv86JWWdPGu0bBSbKwIAqAg8OXu72q7M0cDtEogqIgMA_d9S7xiquiW6cc8uenIZqVxRDvq6K_srekCpsrNkwKHc-bCySwm7kw/s4032/20200624_184810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7uCF6yIxXVA2OKM3sI_cGRRKpl7ip-QoRIqCiq0n1Gv86JWWdPGu0bBSbKwIAqAg8OXu72q7M0cDtEogqIgMA_d9S7xiquiW6cc8uenIZqVxRDvq6K_srekCpsrNkwKHc-bCySwm7kw/w480-h640/20200624_184810.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk1-CAMiG0gTVF-SMPOR_3_Dr9oJAX3KAUrzWZ1WT4TwMuhTusVbA6064Vr38sIbHt5ZH_9m1KCM-QU8v834MpvEgzkraXhqqn42SBN6y_IKFY_VlvY9PzJ58Z2yzer8BUCV7whkBawQ/s4032/20200624_190502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk1-CAMiG0gTVF-SMPOR_3_Dr9oJAX3KAUrzWZ1WT4TwMuhTusVbA6064Vr38sIbHt5ZH_9m1KCM-QU8v834MpvEgzkraXhqqn42SBN6y_IKFY_VlvY9PzJ58Z2yzer8BUCV7whkBawQ/w640-h480/20200624_190502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I also saw two cool bugs I'd never seen before, let alone knew were present right here at home in Lake County, IL: the unexpected cycnia moth and a dung beetle! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">July</span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmoyMsmKN1o6fetEpKAG0jgFv1hZusniNpsJqY4kCB7dlQGF1j0-1nig16PLLlFMqxR3E3UUFf_f9elqwRPVG1D8jZLnTgJk3DiGLWeny4Ym4ARWFla4fltsJPJp_ySe8CmkDIv7UjAA/s4032/20200703_145806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmoyMsmKN1o6fetEpKAG0jgFv1hZusniNpsJqY4kCB7dlQGF1j0-1nig16PLLlFMqxR3E3UUFf_f9elqwRPVG1D8jZLnTgJk3DiGLWeny4Ym4ARWFla4fltsJPJp_ySe8CmkDIv7UjAA/w480-h640/20200703_145806.jpg" width="480" /></a></u></div><u><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnAtrbvnCtuT3MfXKfhHW1MqvVKOgUgaKCuoJYT49oZiECMXgnwb0XzXsHJ4EUtlIVmxoLBCwGvVnc43XGmY88YkuTgUYAVAph6v7xKPl6FZjSX9cIEjU0-hqORsLBqlKKOcNFcwCVWY/s4032/20200703_151522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnAtrbvnCtuT3MfXKfhHW1MqvVKOgUgaKCuoJYT49oZiECMXgnwb0XzXsHJ4EUtlIVmxoLBCwGvVnc43XGmY88YkuTgUYAVAph6v7xKPl6FZjSX9cIEjU0-hqORsLBqlKKOcNFcwCVWY/w480-h640/20200703_151522.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This month had my favourite nature experience, though there were many contenders for 2020. I went hiking through Somme Prairie Grove with Steve, where I finally met <i>Asclepias pupurascens</i>! And yes, you guessed it; I'll be posting about that, too. I had some other incredible nature moments: when I happened upon a rare parasitic bee in a forest preserve near home, when I stumbled across destroying angel fungi, and then when I found a bolete infected with <i>Hypomyces</i> sp.; the latter two were at Petrifying Springs State Park in Wisconsin.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW46wBV_sf5g8gzqm4jmPUxGFw8-essA0PditSQKhhDi9WUEPwNZaQdGA6W4f4tLD7Sgwl1UaG3Wo5wkXQneYRRNgPV70G7DyeSs1LbQWcBBnpFHVHnUJ91keMk_xnNoJRpxtZnzp2ec/s1446/Screenshot_20200713-161522_Photos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1446" data-original-width="1438" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW46wBV_sf5g8gzqm4jmPUxGFw8-essA0PditSQKhhDi9WUEPwNZaQdGA6W4f4tLD7Sgwl1UaG3Wo5wkXQneYRRNgPV70G7DyeSs1LbQWcBBnpFHVHnUJ91keMk_xnNoJRpxtZnzp2ec/w637-h640/Screenshot_20200713-161522_Photos.jpg" width="637" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic19ZIMs6FQ_bHmwwzfib00EtRlqA_5YTS5mKdvfyy5PQGO33GjMt-w9msa5cdNukPBX9fQwr7oCNvfJulDOOU4XnRAE4PQhBltve-YzZi6i6XNn18OVZNBsYaqBNQDmeS7GqsO3dpYI/s4032/20200719_190915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic19ZIMs6FQ_bHmwwzfib00EtRlqA_5YTS5mKdvfyy5PQGO33GjMt-w9msa5cdNukPBX9fQwr7oCNvfJulDOOU4XnRAE4PQhBltve-YzZi6i6XNn18OVZNBsYaqBNQDmeS7GqsO3dpYI/w640-h480/20200719_190915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWnunCDJhW9MxvDIkXbuhgJtF5ExNpHPB9RzPI-gadMuh-ShIwY71qsEeAR2jpivFSecWZ699kE6aGPb6o7YF0zP7xlFf8qb9BN8FTinJBNdYpVMWq7-MUT7r17Jl4eWmjqHkNsq7VUs/s4032/20200719_191729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWnunCDJhW9MxvDIkXbuhgJtF5ExNpHPB9RzPI-gadMuh-ShIwY71qsEeAR2jpivFSecWZ699kE6aGPb6o7YF0zP7xlFf8qb9BN8FTinJBNdYpVMWq7-MUT7r17Jl4eWmjqHkNsq7VUs/w480-h640/20200719_191729.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">There were some other really cool happenings in the pollinator garden this month, but that's a story for another post.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">August</span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zr0XhLDxtLQ3JmSfjXEwCqo8o3WllPQKabaDPdvCqC6-4guf9rrXrXyjvo7vkrUXunXOAOf7oAbFS7QlHKRBXBYY-EbUEbH3rhsR1wfZoftumihM37QE-T9rflYiop534dODq1ri9Cg/s4032/20200801_153708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zr0XhLDxtLQ3JmSfjXEwCqo8o3WllPQKabaDPdvCqC6-4guf9rrXrXyjvo7vkrUXunXOAOf7oAbFS7QlHKRBXBYY-EbUEbH3rhsR1wfZoftumihM37QE-T9rflYiop534dODq1ri9Cg/w300-h400/20200801_153708.jpg" width="300" /></a></u></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I went to CBG a few times (the pandemic made me reluctant to go often, even with timed entry), and spent a lot of time just admiring the pollinator garden at home whenever I was able to. I was working until anywhere between 1am up to 4am so I slept in a lot when I was home.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">September</span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwCJyjgYl92XHiWQgBzCQkGKaGDvlcKtqhXLiC8NiXEDzTT_MdG5mHqO_ZL3klfFbAxYqPXNUfnT4L6DBJKZcQdI_UnqUJP7C0o1c8-_hwLSJDvbDvE4glZXQTJ5Q2bW6CNh4QDDCvvo/s4032/20200917_184530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwCJyjgYl92XHiWQgBzCQkGKaGDvlcKtqhXLiC8NiXEDzTT_MdG5mHqO_ZL3klfFbAxYqPXNUfnT4L6DBJKZcQdI_UnqUJP7C0o1c8-_hwLSJDvbDvE4glZXQTJ5Q2bW6CNh4QDDCvvo/w480-h640/20200917_184530.jpg" width="480" /></a></u></div><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I suffered a lot in September. I had a very rough depressive episode that I frankly did not have time to properly navigate. It was around this time that I started thinking about quitting my job again, but I felt guilty and did not. I managed to drag myself out of the house a few times in late September for some fresh air.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">October </span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwXZUwBZBnUGyiGHaf0fcmb8itimn8XIP_u2pFVERIEfN0ZHYY5JqVedC1FLrsxCNtwlU3J6ea4XH4NtT7Ow9gfZC3miZeuje4NmKfeIJ98b9pcLikM4OEYo-2AQ70uo1Ub6Eo5AiIuc/s1179/original_72c3496c-2ecf-4c91-af72-a8e4b075312b_Screenshot_20201024-042804_Photos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1179" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwXZUwBZBnUGyiGHaf0fcmb8itimn8XIP_u2pFVERIEfN0ZHYY5JqVedC1FLrsxCNtwlU3J6ea4XH4NtT7Ow9gfZC3miZeuje4NmKfeIJ98b9pcLikM4OEYo-2AQ70uo1Ub6Eo5AiIuc/w400-h374/original_72c3496c-2ecf-4c91-af72-a8e4b075312b_Screenshot_20201024-042804_Photos.jpg" width="400" /></a></u></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>I felt like a stranger in our own garden. I hardly did any actual gardening in months, and by this time I was so swamped with work, I didn't even have the energy to take much of a stroll around the yard. I did manage to go to a pumpkin farm with Steve and the kids to pick out pumpkins, do a corn maze, and drink hot cider with fresh cider donuts.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>November</u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjhKI2a8Y4sQFjmyBW9Xw2W9xfUZVJgOWUWeU-e4_Rq7bFa4ks7k7y9YkuM92l5icMYQTkH503hBbmYA_pkcnkskwNzm3i1V5qp3sW5zQBk8m9oyes-U9wkINkRMclMXkHnaAlEtd2sk/s4032/20201106_100430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjhKI2a8Y4sQFjmyBW9Xw2W9xfUZVJgOWUWeU-e4_Rq7bFa4ks7k7y9YkuM92l5icMYQTkH503hBbmYA_pkcnkskwNzm3i1V5qp3sW5zQBk8m9oyes-U9wkINkRMclMXkHnaAlEtd2sk/w640-h480/20201106_100430.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKYSWL7SEdEAHw8r0zSkxipO7jidjmOur2Yv8jJrhKOjVDEpp1Vnapej2P9rTe5yVV2E0xmcbd_RyTyv4Xil3djQoOceuP-uvJK9r5yUGbfVBxWj1UU8uGH-CwMcVZUtkMoVRKiVeKg8/s4608/20201106_085632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKYSWL7SEdEAHw8r0zSkxipO7jidjmOur2Yv8jJrhKOjVDEpp1Vnapej2P9rTe5yVV2E0xmcbd_RyTyv4Xil3djQoOceuP-uvJK9r5yUGbfVBxWj1UU8uGH-CwMcVZUtkMoVRKiVeKg8/w640-h480/20201106_085632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zp0qXncgoPu7h6rpa9Lmv1vqtfN750EiTPcubV3A_iJGizwK13eE2PZhg36hdAXC4sJ1Pm8Er1Pi0jAxqv5gmCsAXMO5OenGk8t3PtIol_BAnKuV5uIUl52qxau73fRHMWaeqDEc7wE/s4032/20201105_144052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zp0qXncgoPu7h6rpa9Lmv1vqtfN750EiTPcubV3A_iJGizwK13eE2PZhg36hdAXC4sJ1Pm8Er1Pi0jAxqv5gmCsAXMO5OenGk8t3PtIol_BAnKuV5uIUl52qxau73fRHMWaeqDEc7wE/w640-h480/20201105_144052.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><u><br /></u></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is where I snapped. I decided that it was time to take a mental health break from any job. Zero regrets about doing what I needed to take my life back. I took advantage of the little bit of autumn left by wandering for hours in Somme Woods, IBSP, and a couple other sites.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">December</span></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_g-BuRpQR99brixOh-ICAfpaFzhOU54U87_fISyCC7K5b4pAwAJlicJqiivhLtBBSG1NG3G2XX5w_6sAE20qNmq630Vj_6T9rH7HS87V_PJLs7jh3WLR7W0oiK8hKGB_KGHbWNnaHYeo/s4608/20201220_130507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_g-BuRpQR99brixOh-ICAfpaFzhOU54U87_fISyCC7K5b4pAwAJlicJqiivhLtBBSG1NG3G2XX5w_6sAE20qNmq630Vj_6T9rH7HS87V_PJLs7jh3WLR7W0oiK8hKGB_KGHbWNnaHYeo/w480-h640/20201220_130507.jpg" width="480" /></a></u></div><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></u><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The following few months after quitting were pretty rough. I had two more terrible depressive episodes, both followed by terrible hypomanic episodes. Thankfully, I was able to spend all the time I needed in bed. And despite the addition of seasonal depression and the pandemic still raging, I at least had holiday cheer in December to keep me from feeling like I hit rock bottom. At the end of each day I reminded myself that at the very least, my family and I were healthy and safe in such rough times.</p><p style="text-align: center;">~~</p><p style="text-align: center;">So what's next? Part of my healing involves a lot of time outside and in the garden at home. I'm not sure what job I will do next, or when I will get around to that. I'm just focusing on getting better for now.</p><p style="text-align: center;">As per usual, I have an album full of photos I didn't post here. Click <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/kTRosJuvZVrFmvSm9" target="_blank">here</a> to see additional pics.</p><p style="text-align: center;">And if you didn't know, I microblog on Instagram at @efflorescency. I hope everyone is well and staying safe. I am excited for what treasures nature has in this new year!</p>Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-20310213881549989632020-01-16T22:34:00.000-08:002020-01-16T22:40:55.424-08:00Pollinator Garden 2019I can't believe I haven't updated about the pollinator garden in a blog post since 2017! I had a post sitting in drafts since last year and I've mentioned the garden many times on Instagram.<br />
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Some changes include the bird feeder being moved elsewhere, putting in a new bird bath, expanding the garden quite a bit, and planting more native plants. Speaking of the new bird bath...it is gorgeous! Steve got it from me during our second Annual Wold <a href="https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrEeCv5j3RdKTYARwwPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByOHZyb21tBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg--/RV=2/RE=1567948922/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.lakelawnresort.com%2f/RK=2/RS=6vXoJWsYRLI_KuEMrA2S1vsm7nM-" target="_blank">Lake Lawn Resort</a> Vacation.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZ6lWUBixRe3fVNU1j_SXDP46yY-zLpd-woits2Em9sutDcwyTubmu_wtWz3aeal4xranSsjWmWoBZmc3v8bdljy8wDs4tmwbwbwX6LCe4xGhsArGRmES_2c2Vv9e1ixlVTLjKLXAjl8/s1600/bird+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZ6lWUBixRe3fVNU1j_SXDP46yY-zLpd-woits2Em9sutDcwyTubmu_wtWz3aeal4xranSsjWmWoBZmc3v8bdljy8wDs4tmwbwbwX6LCe4xGhsArGRmES_2c2Vv9e1ixlVTLjKLXAjl8/s640/bird+bath.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So pretty in the sunlight!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The pollinator garden looks wild, but that is exactly how I
like my gardens to be...unruly and full of glorious texture. I planted mostly natives, with a focus on
milkweed - since my last update I added <i>Asclepias sullivantii</i>, <i>A. verticillata</i>, <i>A. syriaca</i>, and <i>A. tuberosa</i>. A lot of milkweed spread, most notably the swamp and whorled milkweeds.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1QtnAdx_NN6ufEkiRdsJeJ5-bZhRGYF5UlsRaPQQPURJE8lhBskOHB1MlQvNN9BSSaBJGfY6wFAr3c_OvXtkFKsjUht1BmNB-myW9lMDUcShJ6VlknwHH7-8erQoBoFHNAuNOkwbYvc/s1600/00100lPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190713094243125_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1QtnAdx_NN6ufEkiRdsJeJ5-bZhRGYF5UlsRaPQQPURJE8lhBskOHB1MlQvNN9BSSaBJGfY6wFAr3c_OvXtkFKsjUht1BmNB-myW9lMDUcShJ6VlknwHH7-8erQoBoFHNAuNOkwbYvc/s640/00100lPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20190713094243125_COVER.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />
The
wild bergamot I planted the first year spread significantly, to the
point where I'll have to control it better next year. The lupine never
came back, but the poke milkweed made a return in 2018 and 2019. I'm not sure the spotted beebalm or dianthus returned in 2019, but
since the garden is so dense it is possible I just didn't notice them. The silphium has yet to bloom, though the leaves seem to be doing well
every time they come back up.<br />
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I missed some hostas when I tried to remove them last time, so hopefully I didn't leave any rhizomes this time around. Silver maple and boxelder seedlings are nuisances, but they're nothing compared to the field bindweed and creeping Charlie. I also let the fennel and bronze fennel go to seed the first year, naively thinking I'd have a <u>few</u> free fennel plants. (Dear past self: <i>hahahahaha</i>.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoywumCbHD_wCwqvyHKF6VklIYQCTrTWuCUvRLwXINPugBoMF1mjC5NlyWaaE-42YTK_T4B0etaGQGPxSOEzVdGWHAIfZyxU2tmRzocoC_oCx_gr8blDsfyGKjtLsSvGgsPLARxG8BCs/s1600/IMG_20180523_191122_523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNoywumCbHD_wCwqvyHKF6VklIYQCTrTWuCUvRLwXINPugBoMF1mjC5NlyWaaE-42YTK_T4B0etaGQGPxSOEzVdGWHAIfZyxU2tmRzocoC_oCx_gr8blDsfyGKjtLsSvGgsPLARxG8BCs/s320/IMG_20180523_191122_523.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze fennel and fennel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We had so many insects, arachnids, and even a frog about the pollinator garden. I've been rearing swallowtail caterpillars, thanks to the fennel. It is really nice to see all the critters that visit or live in this small, wild space I've created for them.<br />
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I've tried to keep a list of all the plants I've put in this garden, but I went a bit crazy and didn't record everything. This is a list off the top of my head of what should still be in the pollinator garden:<br />
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<i>Asclepias exaltata</i><br />
<i>A. incarnata</i><br />
<i>A</i>.<i> incarnata '</i>Cinderella' <br />
<i>A. incarnata </i>'Soulmate'<br />
<i>A. sullivantii</i><br />
<i>A</i>.<i> syriaca</i><br />
<i>A</i>.<i> tuberosa</i><br />
<i>A. verticillata</i><br />
<i>Aquilegia canadensis </i><br />
<i>Carex bebbii & </i><i>C. radiata</i><br />
<i>Echinacea purpurea</i><br />
<i>E. pallida </i><br />
<i>Eryngium yuccifolium</i><br />
<i>Eutrochium maculatum</i><br />
<i>Foeniculum vulgare</i><br />
<i><i>F. vulgare </i></i>'Purpureum'<br />
<i>Lavandula angustifolia </i>'Hidcote'<br />
<i>Liatris spicata</i><br />
<i>L. spicata '</i>Kobold'<br />
<i>Lobelia cardinalis</i><br />
<i>L. siphilitica </i><br />
<i>Monarda fistulosa</i> <br />
<i>M. punctata</i><br />
<i>Nepeta cataria</i><br />
<i>Pycnanthemum virginianum </i><br />
<i>Rudbeckia hirta</i><br />
<i>Silene regia </i><br />
<i>Sisyrinchium angustifolium </i>'Lucerne'<i> </i><br />
<i>Solidago</i> sp. <br />
<i>Verbena hastata </i><br />
<i>Veronicastrum virginicum</i><br />
<i>Zizia aurea </i><br />
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Most of these plants were purchased from local native plant sales and at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Gurnee-Garden-Center-191335734252746/" target="_blank">Gurnee Garden Center</a>. I'm so excited to see what is in store for the pollinator garden in 2020! If you are interested in following along on updates to my gardens, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/efflorescency/" target="_blank">follow me on Instagram</a>!<br />
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<br />Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-43638445082603175902019-03-05T02:00:00.000-08:002019-03-05T02:00:13.997-08:00A Plant Nerd in Peoria: Luthy Botanical Garden ft. Forest Park Nature Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Luthy Botanical Garden</h3>
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In summer 2018 I had the great pleasure of visiting <a href="https://peoriaparks.org/facility/luthy/" target="_blank">Luthy Botanical Garden</a>. It spans 5 acres, with 15 themed gardens and a conservatory. This is one of the smaller botanic gardens I've visited, but it was delightful all the same.<br />
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I entered the garden through a side gate, wandering down the shaded trail. A beautiful maple immediately caught my eye (Perhaps <i>Acer japonicum</i> 'Aconitifolium'? I believe the label in front of it said <i>Acer shirasawanum</i> 'Autumn Moon' - a different "full moon maple").<br />
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Veering right into sunny Crabapple Cove, there was so much texture and colour to take in!<br />
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The purple-pink flowers of <i>Eutrochium maculatum </i>matched the nearby blooms of <i>Tamarix africana </i>(African tamarisk) and <i>Lycoris squamigera</i> (ressurection lily).</div>
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Another tree lured me over with its cool leaves: <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> 'Asplenifolia' (fernleaf beech).</div>
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Moving on into the conservatory, I took a moment to admire the rows of sori on <i>Asplenium antiquum </i>(bird's nest fern) and a cherub statue tangled in foliage, tucked away in a corner.<br />
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The conservatory included lush tropical plants, including a HUGE <i>Codiaeum variegatum</i> (croton), and succulents. One of the best highlights for me was a succulent member of the Apocynaceae, <i>Huernia zebrina</i> (little owl eyes)! The flowers are oddly beautiful. The dark red rim of the flower, known as the annulus, is why another common name is lifesaver plant. Asclepiads are some of my favourite plants!<br />
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Wandering back outside, I made my way into the dappled sunlight of the Woodland Garden, where I saw so many male cardinals my heart could have burst! Cardinals have great significance to me because my late Grandma Sandy loved them. She taught me what they sound like when I was a child, so every time I see or hear them I think of her. It is also said that cardinals symbolise a greeting from a passed love one.<br />
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Passing by the Hosta Glade there was fragrant <i>Clethra alnifolia</i> (summersweet) swarming with pollinators such as ailanthus webworm moths and wasps!<br />
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Onward down the rambling paths of the Herb and Cottage gardens, I encountered <i>Artemisia abrotanum</i> (southernwood) and <i>Silene regia</i> (royal catchfly). I found the layout to be lovely, with more crowded plantings that I favour in my own garden. The stone seat and sundial added some extra charm.<br />
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After a glimpse of a bunny in the Dwarf Conifer Garden (which was reminiscent of the larger one at <a href="https://www.chicagobotanic.org/gardens/dwarfconifer" target="_blank">Chicago Botanic</a>), I went around the All Seasons Garden, looking up at the green of a <i>Taxodium distichum</i> (bald cypress) canopy, with <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/697410-any-patch-of-sunlight-in-a-wood-will-show-you" target="_blank">Patches of Godlight</a> peeking through to contrast cone and branch silhouettes.<br />
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The Viburnum Border was a beautiful combination of <i>Veronicastrum virginicum </i>(Culver's root), <i>Asclepias incarnata </i>(swamp milkweed), <i>A. tuberosa</i> (butterfly weed), <i>Echinacea purpurea</i> (coneflower), <i>Rudbeckia hirta</i> (black eyed Susan), and <i>Silphium perfoliatum</i> (cup plant). I also noticed <i>Physostegia virginiana</i> (obedient plant) and as usual I had to play with it.<br />
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As some of the gardens were seemingly under construction and a wedding was being held shortly, I rushed through the last few areas: The Gazebo, the Fountain, and Wildlife, Children's, and Rose Garden. I was especially fond of the motherhood statue next to a trellis with <i>Campsis radicans</i> 'Flava' (yellow trumpet vine), as well as the variegated <i>Fagus sylvatica</i> 'Roseomarginata' (tricolor beech). I spotted a second bunny and the largest <i>Ginkgo biloba</i> specimen I've ever seen!<br />
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As my adventure came to a close, one last botanical delight was in store for me, peeking through the gate in the parking lot: <i>Rubus odoratus</i> (purple-flowering raspberry)! Before I left, I made sure to say goodbye to the <a href="https://www.pjstar.com/lifestyle/20160323/father-and-son-sculptors-otto-and-fritz-triebel-tell-stories-all-around-peoria" target="_blank">historic Triebel Lions</a> in front of the zoo.</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Forest Park Nature Center</h3>
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<a href="https://peoriaparks.org/facility/fpnc/" target="_blank">Forest Park Nature Center</a> has seven miles of trails and a cute little shop. I didn't take many plant photos, but did snap a few of a doe and two fawns that crossed my path!<br />
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Finally! I had the unfinished post sitting in drafts for months.</div>
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I hope to visit Luthy Botanical Garden again in the future! Keep an eye out for my eventual post about my day hiking and exploring of Starved Rock State Park, which I visited on my way back home to Lake County.</div>
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Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com1Luthy Botanical Garden, 2520 N Prospect Rd, Peoria, IL 61603, USA40.7185644 -89.57540410000001440.526092899999995 -89.898127600000009 40.9110359 -89.252680600000019tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-39603483502239043852018-12-12T00:30:00.000-08:002018-12-11T22:23:44.378-08:00Wordless Wednesdays: Winter Is Coming <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-81965179528205448932018-07-20T18:16:00.000-07:002018-10-10T02:36:08.122-07:00Hiking Lake County Forest Preserves: From Sedge Meadow to Van Patten Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQi9LGE0pPEtJ-hZ6qrs7nDqVp0enGDf90pBeiVfK69EII8itWF8SmMgP4JIevWqb1y0iyGhp4zQqp6wgLsxNsVo5y_Mf_0hJhYeIatCwehBnTevzyHmV0uelo08lTyy6SP-bL9lKjHIo/s640/20180718_190331.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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Living with chronic depression and anxiety is exhausting. I've spent nearly half my life struggling with these mental illnesses. For many years, I fought to survive; after that I searched for validation for my anger and suffering. The past few years, I stumbled my way through therapy, new medication, and redefining the parts of me altered by childhood abuse.<br />
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Now I seek balance, but as most things in life, it is easier said than done. I have days where I am exhausted and plagued with insomnia, where escaping bed is a battle I am ill equipped for. But there are good days with adequate rest, where I rise out of bed ready to take on the world.<br />
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Finally, I had one of those good days. After weeks of low energy and indisposition, I needed fresh air and verdure...so I went hiking! (For energised people in more challenging terrain, this would be considered day hiking, or perhaps glorified walking. To each their own! 😉)<br />
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<a href="https://www.lcfpd.org/dprt/" target="_blank">The Des Plaines River Trail</a> stretches from Wadsworth, all the way to the border of Cook County, where it connects to the <a href="http://fpdcc.com/preserves-and-trails/" target="_blank">Forest Preserves of Cook County trails</a>. That's nearly 31 and a half miles through Lake County!<br />
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I selected one of my favourite spots to botanise, <a href="https://www.lcfpd.org/sedge-meadow/" target="_blank">Sedge Meadow</a>, as my starting point, and hiked to <a href="https://www.lcfpd.org/van-patten-woods/" target="_blank">Van Patten Woods</a>. Sedge Meadow used to be part of the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-07-19-9203050094-story.html" target="_blank">Wetlands Demonstration Project</a>, and is now restored; there are so many neat plants and animals to see year-round.<br />
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Despite liberally applying insect repellant (that usually works just fine), the mosquitoes were pretty awful. They seem particularly vicious this year. Aside from that issue, I took time during the hike to admire the scenery, especially the plants. Some highlights:<br />
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<i>Mimulus ringens</i> (Allegheny monkeyflower) </h4>
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This was my first time meeting this plant! Check out that colour.</div>
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<i>Urtricularia vulgaris</i> ssp. <i>macrorhiza</i> (American bladderwort)</h4>
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This year was the first I've seen so much bladderwort! I've only seen it <i>in situ</i> maybe two times in the past. In fact, I only found out about these native carnivorous plants a few years ago.</div>
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<i>Rubus</i> spp. (blackberry)</h4>
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Unfortunately unripe, but plants are protected in the preserves, anyhow. </div>
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They're very pretty, though!</div>
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<i>Silphium laciniatum</i> (compass plant)</h4>
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I love how these tower over everything else. They're most stunning on a beautiful sunny day with the bright blue sky to contrast the sunny yellow ray florets. I planted one in the pollinator garden when we moved into the house, but it has yet to flower.</div>
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Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's root)</h4>
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This lovely native plant always has pollinators all over it, every time I've come across them. Easily one of my favourite natives to see at Chicago Botanic's prairie garden (located in the Native Plant Garden). I love it so much, I added some to my pollinator garden.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_q_EhPTYv1Zc4d2y1_SgjOnCcQtZF83L4CyILWJbvghYQUoPdUDE0lNQ9mScUq24il7hZ9MfC3aHAnLBtVTMXFSUscPW7AmL_Q_kM3-wEpwU9OBPPg4hg3A1H_bgrD8qjG2Bu-X6jx4/s1600/20180718_184610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_q_EhPTYv1Zc4d2y1_SgjOnCcQtZF83L4CyILWJbvghYQUoPdUDE0lNQ9mScUq24il7hZ9MfC3aHAnLBtVTMXFSUscPW7AmL_Q_kM3-wEpwU9OBPPg4hg3A1H_bgrD8qjG2Bu-X6jx4/s640/20180718_184610.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<i>Eryngium yuccifolium</i> (rattlesnake master)</h4>
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I love <i>Yucca filamentosa</i>, and here in NE Illinois there are plenty that have naturalised along the dunes of Lake Michigan. I love that <i>E. yuccifolium</i> has similar foliage (hence the specific epithet), and is native. This member of the <i>Apiaceae</i> has unique flowers!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-Id8FgnbL7idu-mA1YfPZ_JN74z6pv8lQPMHMjLRkFx6xSH8sbPK724igs9tAEV-_RgPFhjY2FT2XqVta12Nbu9eCwwmrRMgYp2Gqh2d3Z8uzlkSFqJa0AJCLnrZnbEKciYmHQCQ2HQ/s1600/20180718_185858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-Id8FgnbL7idu-mA1YfPZ_JN74z6pv8lQPMHMjLRkFx6xSH8sbPK724igs9tAEV-_RgPFhjY2FT2XqVta12Nbu9eCwwmrRMgYp2Gqh2d3Z8uzlkSFqJa0AJCLnrZnbEKciYmHQCQ2HQ/s640/20180718_185858.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<i>Baptisia alba</i> (white wild indigo)</h4>
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I love the gorgeous white blooms! I don't commonly come across this beauty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WobDi921uCyWZxpF9o42_2tr91kWYXSs9Cpy3mRWAGKH2E7spMJOB2WUN_hBGQo2QfWOY_qvgSyuTLgDGuJF1UfGw7g-_ReozhEOVG2CgtRXAlrr1tE8mUqYM0ey6PvbWOnHfu8AUoU/s1600/20180718_190951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WobDi921uCyWZxpF9o42_2tr91kWYXSs9Cpy3mRWAGKH2E7spMJOB2WUN_hBGQo2QfWOY_qvgSyuTLgDGuJF1UfGw7g-_ReozhEOVG2CgtRXAlrr1tE8mUqYM0ey6PvbWOnHfu8AUoU/s640/20180718_190951.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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As I made my way through the last patch of the dark woods at the end of my journey, I couldn't help but admire the sunlight streaming through the trees. It reminded me of a quote I love, by C.S. Lewis:<br />
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“Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures are ‘patches of Godlight’ in the woods of our experience.”<br />
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It was a lovely way to end my hike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9wfUwnowWScCvr69Zdh4a3IqfGm1vWngLrwLliK78qVVN6UG6Er44-Up8sBH3OYnd3Nte99E2HuhqrFjFK8M1m4B186UeuKFWsf0PLGqbrj7Dgt-hYg4n3cX4w2oTz1AptUTHqwU7fY/s1600/20180718_192851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9wfUwnowWScCvr69Zdh4a3IqfGm1vWngLrwLliK78qVVN6UG6Er44-Up8sBH3OYnd3Nte99E2HuhqrFjFK8M1m4B186UeuKFWsf0PLGqbrj7Dgt-hYg4n3cX4w2oTz1AptUTHqwU7fY/s640/20180718_192851.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patches of Godlight<br />
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If you live in or around Lake County, I recommend you check out our forest preserves, and hike the trails if you get the chance!</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Nature has helped me battle depression and anxiety, and for that I am thankful. Combined with medicine, CBT, and a great support system, I've felt more resilient than ever before.</span></div>
<br />Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0Sedge Meadow Forest Preserve, 15615 W Wadsworth Rd, Wadsworth, IL 60083, USA42.426573 -87.93435570000002630.584954999999997 -108.58865270000003 54.268191 -67.280058700000026tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-80812919273449361852018-06-17T23:48:00.001-07:002018-06-17T23:48:53.004-07:00Garden of Eatin' - Kenosha: I'm on Board of Directors!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGV7Nqdb_M1J67RFABxt2xoLHhMDYL9jMWBJGOd07BhTldnVz3soqqKW8oCWB59g-5EOjjnluF-WBEbXUXoLX1aUlo4oSCLdSC5wyTRDfOLoQ9grvwzEPSNaFIBdL6Sp3p18EPTA_7fk/s1600/20180614_164532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGV7Nqdb_M1J67RFABxt2xoLHhMDYL9jMWBJGOd07BhTldnVz3soqqKW8oCWB59g-5EOjjnluF-WBEbXUXoLX1aUlo4oSCLdSC5wyTRDfOLoQ9grvwzEPSNaFIBdL6Sp3p18EPTA_7fk/s640/20180614_164532.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Back in November my husband and I joined the Board of Directors for Garden of Eatin' - Kenosha, a non-profit community garden in Kenosha, WI.<br />
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Andy and Mercy Berg founded GoE in 2013. They are a vet family! Andy is a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KenoshaCountySupervisorAndyBerg/" target="_blank">County Supervisor</a> in Kenosha, and is <a href="http://www.andyberg.us/" target="_blank">running for Sheriff</a>. He and his family are the embodiment of the phrase "Be the change you want to see in the world."<br />
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So far we have 4 gardens, and an office property. I am co-managing the Moose Garden with a fellow board member, Brandi. She is awesome! Brandi has experience with vegetable gardening, so I am learning a lot. I am so grateful for this opportunity!<br />
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GoE has volunteer workday events as well as fundraisers, so if you are interested in keeping up with us, check out our website and social media! You can see some of my posts on our facebook, and I manage both the Twitter and Instagram accounts.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goekenosha.org/" target="_blank">Garden of Eatin' - Kenosha</a><br />
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"Helping those in need, starting with a seed."<br />
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Mission: Supply fresh
vegetables, herbs and fruits to the local shelters, food pantries, and soup kitchens in
Kenosha, WI<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gardenofeatinkenosha" target="_blank">facebook</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/goekenosha/" target="_blank">instagram</a><br />
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We are always happy to have more volunteers, and donations are very much appreciated! Stay tuned for more posts about this community garden.Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-49886743630418232722017-12-31T22:52:00.000-08:002018-01-05T22:59:04.086-08:00Pollinator Garden + Monarch MadnessI didn't realise it had been so long since my last post! Since we moved into a house, I've been busy with fixing stuff up with Steve, spending time with the kids, cleaning up the basement after it flooded, therapy, gardening, etc.<br />
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My first gardening project was to turn a garden bed in the middle of the front yard into a pollinator garden. It was full of weeds and hostas. I left some weeds (especially violets and creeping charlie) in the spring so bees had something to visit, but gradually I planted native and pollinator host plants, then removed most of the weeds and the hostas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFEF53RR82UTWep_qJpvQMMBy41TL1AwMOVVD3VdTgnekzeSjGV58EdtRmf1QwI6FqIkR2u_rsriUyQIaW6nef63jXkn8NxCKwl6D3yrhh0T8WCZg3q07vkzT-gb4Exd1BS-tZFP5hJc/s1600/20170505_151521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFEF53RR82UTWep_qJpvQMMBy41TL1AwMOVVD3VdTgnekzeSjGV58EdtRmf1QwI6FqIkR2u_rsriUyQIaW6nef63jXkn8NxCKwl6D3yrhh0T8WCZg3q07vkzT-gb4Exd1BS-tZFP5hJc/s640/20170505_151521.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it initially looked like.</td></tr>
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Since we moved in spring, I had plenty of native plant sales to visit. Aside from those, I managed to find a bunch of native plants at Gurnee Garden Center and Pasquesi Home & Garden (though the latter has less of a selection in that category).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycOebIZw_qZTnQtsSOXBmu4XFiGySlYGT6EYRgWu7oekuQbnfpt1zIHBpVk_hC2YEySh6I9dI4MeLn1VjAtjP78B_K4wTO0qEbn8ZGjcEzS2xnBhztlmT21IsN2fp7brPqNMRUvvJ8mA/s1600/20170511_174320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycOebIZw_qZTnQtsSOXBmu4XFiGySlYGT6EYRgWu7oekuQbnfpt1zIHBpVk_hC2YEySh6I9dI4MeLn1VjAtjP78B_K4wTO0qEbn8ZGjcEzS2xnBhztlmT21IsN2fp7brPqNMRUvvJ8mA/s640/20170511_174320.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Progress! I yanked out the solar lights and planted the first three plants. I unfortunately didn't take consistent update photos.</td></tr>
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For this first year, I planted <i>Asclepias incarnata</i>, <i>A. incarnata</i> 'Cinderella', <i>A. exaltata</i>, <i>Carex bebbii</i>, <i>C. radiata</i>, <i>Foeniculum vulgare</i>, <i>F. vulgare</i> 'Purpureum', <i>Dianthus</i> 'Neon Star', <i>Liatris spicata</i>, <i>Lobelia siphilitica</i>, <i>Lobelia cardinalis</i>, <i>Lupinus perennis</i>, <i>Monarda fistulosa</i>, <i>M. punctata</i>, <i>Silene regia</i>, and <i>Silphium laciniatum</i>. The only plants I lost were the poke milkweed and lupine, both of which
were doing great for a while but suddenly died within a few days. So,
not too shabby for my first garden! I don't have much gardening
experience, so I'm basically winging it.</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnc8Xm6eombO4R_1TPsrtBkOLX-zM7duSTPasZ6SN2IFb8c6_l7pHt7bQgM3F8fsb7IVLeSFiP4i6f6H5c4IQh98U3BVj6aerFf5gHgX_zkOIOJfWQNSXdnNa3fZuIAsTN7yGI0MWXxQ/s320/IMG_20170517_004747_388.jpg" width="320" /> <img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1253" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivit3ozlTN5v6JHOqPA_KcU4B8FGdytaRW24CC1el7vS7Hzjg0KXNch0H_IQn0BX6I-R0iu3-etLzNaqj8OONAmIMCP5CVRh9xBrSgYz4hFNtNw9KHjwJWfwiISwKkKmFz5R-mMl7-k70/s320/20170709_182052.jpg" width="250" /></div>
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I planted the milkweed for monarchs, of course, but wasn't sure what to expect as far as monarch eggs. I waited for some time and stopped checking daily when I kept finding nothing, but one day I checked and I found two 5th instar monarch cats! I brought them in to pupate, and released them a day apart. Shortly after, I started finding an insane amount of eggs and larvae! Overall there were 30 healthy butterflies successfully released, with an overwhelming majority being female.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEild1Xq6anWGrQC0SCN-QJZqbz87scwP-lhYO18YhiJHBU6BPl3TX_XKe6KgbgyA-M2yaMmFDTeeARzS-C1lVY1IEEG5TlJwQtA6JQcE3qakHV6oIWawTW8xAeMCH9DiOihRgAI7gPB1k0/s1600/IMG_20170624_204841_463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEild1Xq6anWGrQC0SCN-QJZqbz87scwP-lhYO18YhiJHBU6BPl3TX_XKe6KgbgyA-M2yaMmFDTeeARzS-C1lVY1IEEG5TlJwQtA6JQcE3qakHV6oIWawTW8xAeMCH9DiOihRgAI7gPB1k0/s400/IMG_20170624_204841_463.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TwGKwdB4sithk4gkjaR1boWhQuk1J4SwmvRwylkVjZ-yI-iv0dbI9Kuf75V3RaGVEZfWsa0b5FFw_KK_NBn4RUwt9MFjGgjtBmlLUrFxytGhrBo2BrZqPwDkVaCuMTiI1PSbpsD21Pc/s320/20170712_141936.jpg" width="180" /> <img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5Ci8pTc_gOYHQUxqd9C4RUnNuCLEPNX8oN2_23mGWjKCQnjWvXfa-JtDv9Bbyx_AebhLfFcXPRSTKE7IxqjGKy7UofsonDAGyicaeUfomuhyphenhyphentId3rqAZBhDgaMVUfbQCXbqF9YuNWE4/s320/IMG_20170723_025544_518.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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I had some issues with OE, so I lost a lot of larvae, unfortunately. That's nature for you. Steve reminded me that its better to focus on
the butterflies we released, because ultimately our goal is to help the
monarchs, whether that ends up being five or fifty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aRL-Px-7D_uVw5exxmLhad79EwrVtwlM9G_1-3zohKlytcSiHbpAS_8Hzuuu3PIy-efn-m0MHzHIxQlqW7ioZEn7svkSckteCPvpHt_2SlE_wEhGp1AfAH9jyfsLl73v88UaBx2My5Q/s1600/20170709_010900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aRL-Px-7D_uVw5exxmLhad79EwrVtwlM9G_1-3zohKlytcSiHbpAS_8Hzuuu3PIy-efn-m0MHzHIxQlqW7ioZEn7svkSckteCPvpHt_2SlE_wEhGp1AfAH9jyfsLl73v88UaBx2My5Q/s200/20170709_010900.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OafwkQdhIOYjQtA0BZ8ZiE8a7uFRTSOOCBy7nirLzHFwYjWQnsgnEkaZKcNqh-o1D7IHgSGQYm7aOdprJHz1RvrhAFS24RdTheqW-0zpLMS3C5DVj4o1qPY1GwYMxUmQuxiRobkqEYM/s1600/20170704_221718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OafwkQdhIOYjQtA0BZ8ZiE8a7uFRTSOOCBy7nirLzHFwYjWQnsgnEkaZKcNqh-o1D7IHgSGQYm7aOdprJHz1RvrhAFS24RdTheqW-0zpLMS3C5DVj4o1qPY1GwYMxUmQuxiRobkqEYM/s200/20170704_221718.jpg" width="112" /></a>Raising monarchs was educational for us, especially for the kids. I was inspired to do more research on monarchs, and read some books on them as well. I learned quite a few interesting things about their relationship with milkweed and their life cycle. The most rewarding thing was feeling connected to these cute little critters. I never knew how tiny they started out until I saw in person. It is amazing watching them go from egg, to the few instars, pupating, and then releasing a beautiful butterfly!<br />
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<b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZRHq90DkQa/" target="_blank">Click here for a compliation of videos and pics! </a></b></h4>
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I definitely need to plant a lot of milkweed because we nearly ran out this first year. Those little caterpillars sure can eat! I collected some seed from the swamp milkweed, and hopefully I successfully propagate it so I have free plants for the monarchs in 2018. :) I am considering <a href="http://www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/tag.htm" target="_blank">tagging migrating monarchs</a> for 2018.<br />
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I didn't see any swallowtail eggs on the Apiaceae plants this year, but I saw one swallowtail butterfly! The fennel and bronze fennel really took off, and seem to be popular with some pollinators. I am happy with my decision to put them in the pollinator garden. I snagged the fennel at Fresh Thyme in Kenosha for less than a dollar, and it was looking small and a bit worse for wear, but it recovered nicely.</div>
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I think next year I'll add a few more <i>Liatris </i>since it did so well and popular with pollinators. I was so pleased with the <i>Monarda</i> spp.; I knew <i>M. fistulosa</i> would do well but I had never seen <i>M. punctata</i> before. I love the colours of spotted beebalm! </div>
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I'm really excited to see how the sedges fill out. They are really neat plants! <i>Lobelia</i><i> siphilitica</i> was constantly covered with bees, and <i>Silene regia</i> was such a gorgeous pop of red when it finally bloomed. There was only foliage on the <i>Lobelia cardinalis</i> and <i>Silphium</i> this year.<br />
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I am so grateful to have a garden to tend to now. Planning what to do for it for 2018 makes the winters a little more bearable. :) It is amazing how therapeutic horticulture is. Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-62104936339946790432017-05-21T20:33:00.000-07:002017-05-21T20:35:57.137-07:00Lincoln Park Conservatory<div style="text-align: center;">
I meant to finish this up and post it around February, but I've been busy with life!<br />
Finally, here's the post about my visit to LPC! <br />
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Near the end of October 2016 on a beautiful day, I visited Lincoln Park Conservatory. <br />
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It was a charming place, with plenty of gorgeous plants and dramatic contrast between light and shadows. There were times that I felt like I had stumbled across a secret garden, with how serene the scenes in front of me were. I met quite a few interesting plants for the first time, my favourite being <i>Spathicarpa hastifolia</i> (caterpillar plant), which has the spadix fused to the spathe.<br />
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I checked the Orchid House, excited to see the <i>Stanhopea</i> in
bloom, but unfortunately I had missed it by a few days. All that was
left was a basket with leaves, which I took a moment to check it out,
despite the lack of flowers to enjoy. Of course, there were plenty of other beautiful orchids to admire, one of my favourites being <i>Gongora galeata </i>(pictured immediately below).<i><br /></i><br />
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<a href="https://goo.gl/photos/SGwEnTz3GetWN96M7" target="_blank">Click here for more photos!</a><br />
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~~~<br />
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I actually went with Steve and the kids, but the kids wanted to see other areas and the zoo, so we split up and met again later. The kids loved the conservatory and the zoo! I can't believe we only had to pay for parking, since admission was free to both. If you are in the area or want somewhere nice and inexpensive to take your kids, I highly recommend checking LPC and the zoo out! <br />
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Overall, it was an incredible experience, and I hope to go back soon.</div>
Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USA41.9242075 -87.63532350000002716.402173 -128.94391750000003 67.446242 -46.326729500000027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-28713104859718140232017-01-18T03:42:00.000-08:002017-01-18T03:42:39.398-08:00Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes): Milwaukee's Horticultural Treasure<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Desert Dome</td></tr>
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I was going through my plant nerd bucket list when I realised I never made a post about my visits to The Domes in Milwaukee! My first time at the conservatory was an adventure I made solo in March 2015. I made the hour drive to Milwaukee
and used my CBG membership to gain free entry. Parking was also free.<br />
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There are three domes: The Show Dome, Tropical Dome, and Desert Dome. I made a beeline for the Tropical Dome to see what neat plants I'd find in there. I was not disappointed! Upon entering the room, it was as if I walked through a portal. I stepped out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, into a tropical paradise. The first plant that really wowed me was an <i>Amorphophallus</i> sp. (voodoo lily)! It looks similar to its relative<i> A. titanum</i>, the titan arum.<br />
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I made my way down the path, surrounded by lush foliage and stunning flowers. There were many gorgeous orchids, and a lovely waterfall with a pond. I spent some time staring out at the water, contemplating the diversity of tropical plants in that dome, before returning to the hall.<br />
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I took a moment to adjust to reality; I was back in Milwaukee. I continued on to the Desert Dome, and again I was transported to a different world: an arid landscape with an oasis, and succulents all around me.<br />
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In contrast to the Tropical Dome with its canopy providing shaded areas, this dome had the sun shining bright overhead, mostly unobstructed. As I wandered down the path, I recognised a few familiar species, but so many more that I never saw before. There were interesting cacti, agave with variegation so beautiful it was like a painting, and showy aloe flowers rising above the rocky terrain.<br />
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I returned back to the cold halls of Wisconsin, and made a quick run through the Show Dome. There was a spring theme, with cyclamen and hydrangea beautifully arranged. (Unfortunately my camera died after only a few photos so I don't have much to post about that dome. I don't remember as much from that one, especially without any photos to jog my memory.)<br />
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I loved The Domes so much that I brought Steve and the kids along on another visit a week later. It was during a free admission day, so it was quite crowded.<br />
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It was great to see so many people excited to see plants, so I didn't mind. We went through the domes in the same order that I did during my first trip. The kids were impressed by the massive banana trees, dangling sausage tree fruit, and a cute little palm seedling.<br />
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To my slight disappointment (and Steve's relief), the voodoo lily was finished blooming, and nobody got to smell the stench. Still, it reminded me how lucky I was to see it the week before!<br />
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The thing I love most about visiting a garden more than once is the fact that I will always find something new to see, even if my visit is only one week apart. I had the great pleasure of noticing <i>Ceiba pentandra,</i> called kapok in English and bulak in Tagalog. Like the hibiscus throughout the Tropical Dome, kapok is in the <i>Malvaceae</i>. I swooned at the sight of buttressed roots and large thorns scattered about the trunk.<br />
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At the Desert Dome, Ari and Sandy loved the burning orange-yellow flowers of <i>Bulbine frutescens</i>.<br />
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We all got a giggle out of a silly sign:<br />
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After another peek into the Show Dome (with another dead camera battery), we checked out the gift shop. Steve said no to more plants, but I did get to add a nifty patch to my public garden souvenir collection (I have several patches and pins from various places).<br />
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We had a great family visit to The Domes.<br />
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Unfortunately due to some safety issues The Domes had to close for some time, but recently opened up again. It has been such a long time since I've visited, so I will make sure to make my way up to Milwaukee and wander the conservatory soon!<br />
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If you're in the Milwaukee area you definitely should check this conservatory out for yourself! </div>
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<a href="https://goo.gl/photos/nY3cidVa2amsZZbn6" target="_blank">Click here for more photos.</a></div>
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Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, 524 S Layton Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53215, USA43.0264365 -87.94594819999997542.655173500000004 -88.59139519999998 43.3976995 -87.300501199999971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-27532275022296111382017-01-04T10:52:00.001-08:002017-01-04T10:52:53.183-08:00Happy New Year! Reflections on the Past Year & Hopes for 2017 <div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm finally getting around to this post! Typing this up four days into the new year wasn't what I planned, but we don't have internet currently for another week. So, I'm at the library!</div>
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If you've been following me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/efflorescency_/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (or if you check on the sidebar for the Instagram widget), you saw me post many photos from January 2016 to August 2016. I skipped September onward since it was only a few months ago, and I didn't want people to feel spammed with too many photos.</div>
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I honestly didn't mean to post so many, but I couldn't just pick a few from each month. Each photo contains beautiful memories and I wanted to share the best of them with everyone. I generally don't post too many pictures from each adventure as it is, so I went a little crazy for the year-end journey down memory lane.</div>
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Anyways, in 2016 I noticed that I went to public gardens quite a bit less than the previous year. Part of this is because I didn't get a membership that year (it expired around January). I also didn't volunteer as much in ecological restoration, and another reason for both of these things is because we're down to one vehicle and I don't like to drive as much (thanks, anxiety).</div>
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I concentrated mostly on hiking and botanising in natural areas, with occasional visits to public gardens. When I did volunteer, it was mainly at the local library and at Illinois Beach State Park. So, for this year, I'd like to get a CBG membership again and visit gardens again. I'd also like to swing by Cook County volunteer workdays again and see my Chicago volunteer buddies. I'd like to get back into helping LCFPD because, aside from IBSP and the library, I didn't volunteer as much in the local area. I guess to most people I volunteer quite a bit, but I feel I could do more. It is good for me and the local communities to dedicate my time doing volunteer work as much as I am able to.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UgHTrRJ_p7c/Vzde5xxERqI/AAAAAAAATvQ/Cu9pMkEXo5sJRBPNPBeZ6LeHkJ5xgRqXgCPcB/s1600/P5110185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UgHTrRJ_p7c/Vzde5xxERqI/AAAAAAAATvQ/Cu9pMkEXo5sJRBPNPBeZ6LeHkJ5xgRqXgCPcB/s640/P5110185.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking at Sun Lake Forest Preserve in Lake County, IL</td></tr>
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I want the kids to interact more with nature when we go for walks and hikes. Sometimes they're excited, other times they roll their eyes and can't wait until we go home. I get so preoccupied with my own experiences with plants and critters that I forget how important it is to talk about what I'm thinking with the kids, in kid-friendly terms of course. They will only roll their eyes harder if I try to teach them Latin names.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgWiWbtPkO6xeu4eqNW954UytxOZ8GXlIQQpaTR5FofRS9mIU_CtwXgc151vver6W4njVnXsRTAC2hZtfoI02DHl4_csfJK4jXuX1P4EAXXrx3JATENsUfoLqGYQNq8sz5hi4N2cN1EM/s1600/IMG_20161104_171412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgWiWbtPkO6xeu4eqNW954UytxOZ8GXlIQQpaTR5FofRS9mIU_CtwXgc151vver6W4njVnXsRTAC2hZtfoI02DHl4_csfJK4jXuX1P4EAXXrx3JATENsUfoLqGYQNq8sz5hi4N2cN1EM/s640/IMG_20161104_171412.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ari & Sandy looking out at Lake Carina in Lake County, IL</td></tr>
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Another task I need to work on is improving my mental health. I've talked about that a little bit on this blog and on Instagram. I try not to talk about it *all the time* (especially since this blog is centred around nature) but I still feel like its good to share my story and my experiences, in case it helps others out, whether they're going through something similar or are a "regular" person trying to empathise with people like me. Also I don't want generally talking about mental illness to be something taboo; if I speak out about it, that helps even if a little bit. Nature and volunteering is really helpful in managing my mental health, but it is going to take so much more to make enough meaningful progress this year. I'm looking more into self-help books, specifically those that focus on PTSD, anxiety, depression, and childhood physical/mental abuse. I hope to get into a therapy within the next couple of years, and I'm working on getting into a mental health specialist instead of going to a gp, so I can look into better options as far as medicine goes. I also want to make sure my diagnoses are super accurate since my mental health is crazy complicated. Sometimes many different things can layer over each other and look like something else entirely. Diagnosing mental health isn't an exact science, for as much progress as we've made thus far. Things change, symptoms can mimic others, and sometimes people are wrong. It happens.</div>
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So, back to thinking about the past year... What are the most exciting experiences I had? What did I learn?</div>
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I had an incredibly fun time volunteering at the Peggy Notebaert Museum for WeDigBio. I was blowing through plant label transcriptions, visually eating up the herbarium specimens. Through that program, I learned about <a href="https://www.notesfromnature.org/" target="_blank">Notes from Nature</a>, where I've been transcribing from my laptop. How cool is that?! I've actually done many transcriptions where I forgot to log in to record my progress, but as far as what was recorded on my account, I've done 100 transcriptions. There are even cool badges you earn for transcribing a certain amount of records and such.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7xgICrU5JrmeZvKgr_eYh_uIhbbwBnuJBlDiR8dMOX7QbpRdp0soI8N7BManhV3RHbfPOhNY1WVnMDLt1egk2wOkk3bam6WanlL1qdQjZUn9g-IOo8zI6PNav9E8wR13plyn00Qu9bI/s1600/IMG_20161020_194015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7xgICrU5JrmeZvKgr_eYh_uIhbbwBnuJBlDiR8dMOX7QbpRdp0soI8N7BManhV3RHbfPOhNY1WVnMDLt1egk2wOkk3bam6WanlL1qdQjZUn9g-IOo8zI6PNav9E8wR13plyn00Qu9bI/s640/IMG_20161020_194015.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rudbeckia hirta herbarium specimen with label at Peggy Notebaert Museum in Chicago</td></tr>
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I met two awesome friends from Instagram in person, and we went on a fun hike in Somme Woods. I can't express in words how awesome it was to connect with them like that. I really enjoy interacting with people on Instagram, but this was on a whole new level, and I'm grateful for that experience.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I63fvWBA753UvukQ3pAEm0z6EFKrSbLPtOA_SQOvsYfDmNCogP2QB6WODKjpqYlW9TWIyfhH-OXGgJka6ePedwCNNnyuh4qdwiwBUNgqeZiZLQs-LusIsc_IfJWi0EtFiEDddOXxzM4/s1600/IMG_20160614_191210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I63fvWBA753UvukQ3pAEm0z6EFKrSbLPtOA_SQOvsYfDmNCogP2QB6WODKjpqYlW9TWIyfhH-OXGgJka6ePedwCNNnyuh4qdwiwBUNgqeZiZLQs-LusIsc_IfJWi0EtFiEDddOXxzM4/s400/IMG_20160614_191210.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle and Theresa checking out <i>Arisaema</i> spp.</td></tr>
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Another neat adventure from 2016 was FINALLY visiting Lincoln Park Conservatory! My next post will be about that. What a charming place.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOWqt1SHMGcYF1r9FvHDjaeBoQsctMGnyn-kdzEXuuFGKA97Rck3lW-dujkuaUdqtqY5MllxYqkc8Wq9FPrJP99ZGa1z2mVbD0V8-AswoRdT2q6SNfQQsyC3o6r3zlbfLs9zc1QRHcoc/s1600/IMG_20161023_133413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOWqt1SHMGcYF1r9FvHDjaeBoQsctMGnyn-kdzEXuuFGKA97Rck3lW-dujkuaUdqtqY5MllxYqkc8Wq9FPrJP99ZGa1z2mVbD0V8-AswoRdT2q6SNfQQsyC3o6r3zlbfLs9zc1QRHcoc/s640/IMG_20161023_133413.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Formal Garden</td></tr>
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There were many plants I met for the first time and plants that I visited for the millionth time. Both are equally fantastic. There were so many small, wonderful moments in nature that comprised my year. From the accomplished feeling of successfully identifying wild plants, to humbly learning from mistakes in id, I'm very grateful to be so aware of the beauty of nature. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiV-ziwhHRdDNdOQ8AZGcgAMoXaJ42RLP8SscyEVAknmK2gh8ZFvNRW3AckygR8Zn9j7kPnE3Dz4W8iNZkJrhHAkDiZ6b2bR5Dedi2zcgK5IfFgUngsy-nWn1SYmfxu9w3KxEYm5LpPc/s1600/PA060274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiV-ziwhHRdDNdOQ8AZGcgAMoXaJ42RLP8SscyEVAknmK2gh8ZFvNRW3AckygR8Zn9j7kPnE3Dz4W8iNZkJrhHAkDiZ6b2bR5Dedi2zcgK5IfFgUngsy-nWn1SYmfxu9w3KxEYm5LpPc/s640/PA060274.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I met <i>Gentianopsis crinita </i>(greater fringed gentian) for the first time in 2016!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and then I greeted <i>Opuntia humifusa </i>again...with my hand. It said hi back with several glochids.</td></tr>
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I've been moving along on my quest to teach myself more about nature, especially when it comes to botany. I've learned that for as much as I know, I don't know so much more! And that's okay. I feel that I can only teach myself so much, and have to observe others and ask for help sometimes. Also okay. I learn Latin names by reading, then find out that I'm horribly mangling the pronunciation when a more seasoned plant nerd says it aloud. Reading about how to identify plants with various technical definitions of plant parts is great, but it is the hands-on learning during hikes that this information sticks.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpK6nzc2kmYoAq7byDBVphSrRX3TbA0FTweyVz2jp_vbnaZS-tB73uq19ZGUhxwLid7TlAFf3RbqHwcP-znPqXF75zWk5dJuMeu_ITphrFDzkPzN3jYTyCtns7gcB7tfdpneUQ6yIzAM/s1600/IMG_20161104_172335_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpK6nzc2kmYoAq7byDBVphSrRX3TbA0FTweyVz2jp_vbnaZS-tB73uq19ZGUhxwLid7TlAFf3RbqHwcP-znPqXF75zWk5dJuMeu_ITphrFDzkPzN3jYTyCtns7gcB7tfdpneUQ6yIzAM/s640/IMG_20161104_172335_26.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the petiole and glands of <i>Viburnum opulus</i>! Wow, such botany! Very plant! Much science!</td></tr>
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I couldn't talk about plants the way a horticulturist or botanist with years of experience and a 4-year-degree (or more) could, but I guarantee you I talk about plants with just as much passion as that horticulturist or botanist does. I've learned that is probably the most important part because it is that passion that drives my journey to learn more. Another important aspect is not to second guess myself all the time; being confident (within reason) and willing to be wrong will get me further than shying away ever could. Even the most educated professional with several degrees under their belt still doesn't know it all. I also realised these past few years as I learn more and more, that I also shouldn't let my knowledge get the best of me. If I'm not careful I could very well end up being a know-it-all. It's about balance. I don't need to be too hard on myself for what I don't know -- but I also don't need to be too full of myself for what I do know. For now I am a botanist at heart; I am a plant enthusiast. And one day I very well be a botanist as a profession. It's all part of a big adventure!</div>
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All that being said, I really hope I'm not being obnoxious with how I talk about plants, or for sharing photos of "basic" plants. I don't mean to sound like I know it all, and I don't mean to act like posting a photo of a dandelion with information about it is some great feat. I am just really fascinated by plants! That includes weedy, common plants. You'll often see me hashtag stuff like #asterids, #rosids, #[insertfamilynamehere], etc on Instagram. That's partially to organise the post into those hashtags if other people are interested in looking at photos of such things, but mainly because it helps me learn. If I use the #Adoxaceae on <i>Viburnum</i> spp. photos or #Bignoniaceae on <i>Catalpa speciosa</i> pics every time, I'll more easily remember which families each belongs to.</div>
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Anyways, I could probably ramble more and make up more "resolutions". Alas it is time to go home and wait for Ari to get off the bus, and I don't have internet at home as I've mentioned. I'm sure that, after all this rambling, none of you will mind. :)</div>
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I hope everyone had a great holiday season, and a fantastic start to 2017!</div>
Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-66973950354329804062016-10-30T15:02:00.000-07:002016-12-12T16:03:49.950-08:00Mushroom Hunting in October: Somme Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQDQaKB9m7s/WAjzss1X2uI/AAAAAAAAbX4/KyUm6uEATGYgSmt1knq59aC8miTH3qQVgCPcB/s1600/PA080317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQDQaKB9m7s/WAjzss1X2uI/AAAAAAAAbX4/KyUm6uEATGYgSmt1knq59aC8miTH3qQVgCPcB/s640/PA080317.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Somme Woods is a wonderful place to hike. It is quiet, and there are so many plants and critters to see. I first encountered this gem of a place when I decided to randomly volunteer with Habitat 2030 in this location. The group of Somme volunteers are so dedicated, and many of them are involved in other stewardship roles in the area. They're a truly inspiring bunch!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">This year, Somme Woods was extra special because I met up with two people I follow on Instagram, Michelle and Theresa. </span><span style="text-align: center;">We went on a hike and had a great time! I actually thought of this location for mushroom hunting because, at the end of our hike, we came across interesting mushrooms. </span><span style="text-align: center;">We also saw </span><i style="text-align: center;">Arisaema dracontium</i><span style="text-align: center;"> (my first time seeing it!) and </span><i style="text-align: center;">A. triphyllum</i><span style="text-align: center;">. </span></div>
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When I returned to Somme in search of more cool fungi, I was not disappointed! Some mushrooms were small and easy to miss if you weren't paying attention. </div>
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Aside from the occasional person walking their dog and people briskly walking the trails initially, I was alone. I enjoyed the quiet of the woods, and took my time wandering the trails. Being in a shadowy thicket of trees with sunlight illuminating leaves makes for such and incredible contrast, and during much of my hike I enjoyed this sight.</div>
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My most favourite fungi that I came across were these intersting cups. I am no mycologist, as I've mentioned before, but I hope to learn more about mushrooms. If anyone knows what these might be, feel free to let me know. I assume they are different species at the very least, but for all I know they could also be different genera. They were stalkless as far as I could tell.</div>
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The amount of mushroom diversity at Somme was astounding. Petrifying Springs had some really cool fungus, but some of these were just so bizarre-looking!</div>
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After I emerged from Somme Woods into the parking lot, I felt happy and at peace. A simple walk through a forest gives me so much joy, and I am incredibly thankful to have many places to connect to nature.<br />
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There were so many pictures that I'll just link to the rest of them:<br />
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<a href="https://goo.gl/photos/sQc5x67C4Js7Ahjv9" target="_blank">Click here for more photos.</a></h4>
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Some unfortunately came out blurry. That happens a lot, actually, for one reason or another. I usually use an old Olympus 1010 camera, or my phone (and a macro lens at times), so I don't have the best equipment. I also usually have issues with keeping my hands steady. I typically remove anything blurry or otherwise unappealing, but I'll leave these in since I don't have any other pics to share of the neat mushrooms I came across.<br />
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I hope in the spring I'll have luck finding more interesting mushrooms!</div>
Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0Somme Woods, 2284 Dundee Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062, USA42.1403238 -87.81935770000001216.618289299999997 -129.1279517 67.6623583 -46.510763700000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-45262965099120022712016-10-22T23:25:00.000-07:002016-12-03T23:30:58.736-08:00Mushroom Hunting in October: ILBSP (ft. non-mushroomy things)<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Illinois Beach State Park</h3>
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I usually volunteer once a month at Illinois Beach State Park (the group meets the second Saturday of each month at the nature centre), though lately I've been a bit busy on those days. I made sure to get out there and help collect seed during the October workday!</div>
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We were collecting <i>Schizachyrium scoparium </i>(little bluestem) seeds. It was easy to spot them because they look feathery!</div>
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Along the way I saw quite a few mushrooms. The white one in the pictures below was the largest one. I didn't measure it unfortunately.</div>
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I actually don't recall ever seeing that many mushrooms in this area so it was a real treat to see. I happened to spot one hidden among <i>Juniperus horizontalis</i>.</div>
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I wasn't paying attention when snapping a photo of a mushroom and barely brushed my hand against <i>Opuntia humifusa </i>(Eastern prickly pear)<i> </i>glochids, but I managed to pick all of them out and after a few minutes the irritation subsided. I got to see many prickly pear fruits, and took great care to step gingerly around them after my cactus incident. Getting the little bristles embedded in my hand was bad enough, and I didn't want to take my chances falling onto spikes that could easily be 4" long!</div>
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I got to meet a little butterfly buddy.</div>
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And I was so excited to see <i>Gentianopsis crinita</i> (fringed gentian)!</div>
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I had a wonderful time volunteering and seeing all the neat mushrooms.</div>
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One more post for the Mushroom Hunting in October to get to!</div>
Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-81546891089971125312016-10-20T11:18:00.001-07:002016-10-20T11:18:35.964-07:00Mushroom Hunting in October: Petrifying Springs Park<div style="text-align: center;">
Octobers are great for mushroom hunting! I don't look for edibles, though. I just like seeing all sorts of fungi.</div>
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I went to three sites so far to find mushrooms: Petrifying Springs Park in Kenosha, Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, and Somme Woods in Northbrook. I love Petrifying Springs because of the many steep trails and interesting bridges. I'll start with Petrifying Springs, and make separate posts for other sites I've visited this month. </div>
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Petrifying Springs Park</h3>
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I wasn't sure if I'd find a lot of mushrooms here, but I figured even if I found only a few, the beautiful fall scenery and somewhat challenging trails would make it very much worth the trip. Steve took the kids to the playground area and I headed over a bridge into the dark, damp beauty of the forest.</div>
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The playground sounds faded away, replaced by the sacred stilness of the
woods. I heard only the sound of leaves and dirt crushed underneath me.
It was magical, almost as if I had stepped into another world once I
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I stopped a moment to close my eyes and inhale the crisp scent of
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Fall is my favourite time of year. I feel renewed when autumn finally arrives, and all of my senses are flooded with signs of the change of season.</div>
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After taking a few minutes to appreciate the scents that surrounded me I continued down the path, spotting an occasional mushroom.</div>
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I hiked over a small stone bridge and climbed steep hills until I finally saw what I was looking for: fallen trees and a stump, with an impressive amount of fungi! There were many tiny mushrooms, but the sheer amount of them was incredible to me. I also found various other cool mushrooms, my most favourites being two small ones with a violet tinge, and pure black mushrooms. I had never seen black fungus in person before. I believe they are dead man's fingers, <i>Xylaria polymorpha.</i> </div>
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Petrifying Springs is a gorgeous place year round! If you're in the area I highly suggest visiting that park. Next up, I'll post about Illinois Beach, then Somme Woods. October isn't quite over, so I may go mushroom hunting at a few more places! Stay tuned.</div>
Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0Petrifying Springs Park, 761 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144, USA42.6470443 -87.86517609999998517.125009799999997 -129.17377009999998 68.1690788 -46.556582099999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-1386830413097324162016-09-14T12:36:00.000-07:002016-09-14T12:36:47.895-07:00Wordless Wednesdays: Illinois Beach State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-39267629676613033302016-07-21T01:49:00.000-07:002016-07-21T01:49:36.721-07:00Chicago Botanic Garden: 2016 Orchid Show<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a few months late, but I was able to go to the 2016 CBG Orchid Show! Pardon the "old" post layout; I typed most of this up before I found a better format.</div>
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In 2015, I experienced Chicago Botanic Garden's orchid show for the first time. This year's show was just as exciting! I attended on the last day, during the Illinois Orchid Society show & sale.</div>
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I made a beeline for Nichols Hall, which was full of Orchid Society exhibitions. I immediately spotted someone I admire greatly, <a href="http://kathleenmariegarness.com/" target="_blank">Kathleen Marie Garness</a>, near the entrance. I was delighted to chat with her about her incredible artwork on display, as well as some of her ecological restoration efforts. (Kathleen is well known for her dedication to stewardship in our area, and she is someone I <i>really</i> look up to! She has given so much as a volunteer. The link above is to her website - check it out! Her watercolours are superb!)</div>
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After chatting for an hour or so (I could talk to her all day!), Steve looked like he really wanted to see the orchids, so off we went. There were so many orchids on display from the show that I never have seen, it made my head spin.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Phrag.</i> Sedenii
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st"><i>Phal. </i>Chia E. Yenlin<i> </i>'Horng Lin'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lepanthes fiskei</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dendrochilum latifolium</i></td></tr>
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After fawning over the tiniest, most adorable orchids, I finally went on to see the orchid show itself. The setup of the entrance was the same as last year, as far as I could tell, so I didn't spend too long looking at it. I wanted to dive right into seeing what the greenhouses had in store! However, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks: <i>Medinilla magnifica</i>, an epiphyte commonly called the Philippine orchid, despite being in the <i>Melastomataceae</i>. So, not at all an orchid, but I adore seeing plants native to the Philippines (<i>Strongylodon macrobotrys </i>being another favourite at CBG)!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be still, my heart!</td></tr>
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Orchids aside, the kalamansi (× <i>Citrofortunella mitis</i>) was a sight to see, as were the carnivorous plants in flower. I enjoyed seeing the fruit of Alice (CBG's second <i>Amorphophallus titanum</i>), as well as a smaller <i>A. titanum, </i>on display. I was in awe of a butterfly orchid, <i>Psychopsis papilio</i>. </div>
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Afterwards we left the orchid show and wandered the grounds despite the rain. I will have to have an annual Orchid Show visit! Always a pleasure to see these beautiful flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://goo.gl/photos/jtR4Kbs1koaY3PZp7" target="_blank">Click here for more photos!</a><br />
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I have yet to get my hands on that 2016 CBG membership, so I've actually spent more time this year botanising outdoors than visiting public gardens. I really wanted to spend the summer exploring CBG like last year, except more frequently, but it seems that wasn't meant to be. I'm still very excited about the adventures I've had, though. Botanical adventures have become so common in my life that I don't make a post about each one (save for Instagram, at least)! :) </div>
Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA42.1506145 -87.78848640000001116.628580000000003 -129.0970804 67.672649 -46.479892400000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4198680332963504384.post-21579052593090347542016-07-04T23:37:00.001-07:002016-07-21T00:53:17.652-07:00Thoughts and Ramblings <div style="text-align: center;">
Edit: I thought more about what I wanted this blog to be about, and I just can't bring myself to turn it into anything else than its already been. I've decided that I will make a separate blog if I want to post reviews on products! I'll leave this post up, though. Keep an eye out for an upcoming nature post!<br />
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When I started this blog, I intended it to be a place where I shared thoughts and experiences regarding my life as a mother and wife. It evolved into post after post of botany and horticulture, and of my adventures in nature as that is what I am most passionate about.</div>
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<strike>Part of me likes that specific topic for this blog, but part of me wants to go back to the original idea, or at least something along those lines. I feel like I could be more active if I made posts about other things, but I've grown used to being this crazy plant nerd that talks about nature all the time. My life is more than just plants, though, believe it or not. :)</strike></div>
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<strike><a href="http://efflorescency.blogspot.com/2014/05/are-you-interested-in-freebies-and.html" target="_blank">I made a post a while ago about freebies</a>. In the past two years, I've continued to get free samples and products, and in the past few months I discovered <a href="https://www.influenster.com/" target="_blank">Influenster</a>, where I sometimes get free products for testing purposes. If you've been <a href="https://www.instagram.com/efflorescency_/" target="_blank">following me on Instagram</a>, you may have noticed that I mentioned this a few times and shared pictures of said products. I struggle with the idea of posting about products on here or on Instagram, because I don't want my followers to feel like I'm flooding their feeds with spam when they expect nature posts and photos. But, I would like to post occasional reviews, especially if I found a product I really like! </strike></div>
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<strike>So, I think I'll give it a test run. Within the next few weeks I'll post a review of Zzzquil. I briefly mentioned in the past that I suffer from mental health issues. I'm plagued with insomnia, so I'm excited about the Zzzquil samples I just received from Influenster. In my review post I'd like to talk about Influenster and my experiences with that site and my very first VoxBox. I also would like to talk about PinchMe, and the $5 Walmart Beauty Box I recently discovered. I am not getting paid for mentioning any of these things, and I will definitely give honest opinions and reviews! </strike></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><strike><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-V78l7oYXjM6XUpczf2m0DPumDLLSh1X2Fm5V-aIRAB_iSapopamA20gberT15ECTd0tVi2bME1IUWtransEyEsKtcLFTXHLXVrmFlWp7iNJXG13z8AgHsBWVKkl0KYVpCc_-8cJb1w/s1600/ChKQUgcU0AAXU9w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-V78l7oYXjM6XUpczf2m0DPumDLLSh1X2Fm5V-aIRAB_iSapopamA20gberT15ECTd0tVi2bME1IUWtransEyEsKtcLFTXHLXVrmFlWp7iNJXG13z8AgHsBWVKkl0KYVpCc_-8cJb1w/s400/ChKQUgcU0AAXU9w.jpg" width="400" /></a></strike></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strike>My first Influenster VoxBox</strike></td></tr>
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<strike>To be clear, I will continue to post about my adventures and experiences in nature, and don't plan on any other topics taking over my blog or Instagram .</strike><br />
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I hope my American readers had a safe and wonderful Independence Day!Ashley Woldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04649503386115272691noreply@blogger.com0