Old CCC Camp Tranquility at Oak Mountain State Park
Fellow retired forester Chris Stuhlinger and I visited Oak Mountain State Park on June 8, 2023. I focus this Post on our exploration of Camp Tranquility, constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps artisans to house the work crews assigned to build infrastructure at the Park. The 1930s photograph below left depicts a youthful group at the […]
Four Natural Tree Sculptures at Huntsville, Alabama’s Goldsmith-Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary
May 26, 2023, I lectured at the Residences at WellPoint Community in Hampton Cove, Alabama. I wandered the nearby Goldsmith-Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary after lunch for 2.5 hours. I present four special trees…three of which I had not previously photographed. Each is unique, standing as Nature-created sculptures worthy of award and acclaim. I observe often that […]
Brief-Form Post #19: Aerial Tour of Joe Wheeler State Park!
I am pleased to offer the 19th of my new GBH Brief Form Posts to my website (Less than three minutes to read!). I tend to get a bit long-winded with my routine Posts. I don’t want my enthusiasm for thoroughness and detail to discourage readers. So I will publish these brief Posts regularly. […]
Triple Bypass Surgery Recovery at Tennessee’s Lake Norris: Nature-Buoyed Aging and Healing!
July 7-14, 2023, I luxuriated (and began deep recovery from major surgery) in the blessed balms of healing Nature and nurturing family on Tennessee’s Lake Norris (TVA impoundment on the Clinch River). I gratefully opened all five personal portals to the powerful elixir: body, heart, mind, soul, and spirit! Shedding the Shrouds of a Major […]
Miscellaneous Treasures from a June 2023 Visit to the Belcher Addition at Oak Mountain State Park!
Fellow retired forester Chris Stuhlinger and I arrived at Oak Mountain State Park on schedule at 9:00 AM June 8, 2023, intent upon touring the 1,600-acre Belcher property addition, visiting historic Camp Tranquility, and orienting Chris to hazard tree control measures at the Park. I focus this Post on the miscellaneous Nature treasures we encountered […]
Brief-Form Post #18: Lake Guntersville State Park Inspiring Clouds and Sky!
I am pleased to offer the 18th of my new GBH Brief Form Posts (Less than three minutes to read, plus viewing the short videos!). I tend to get a bit long-winded with my routine Posts. I don’t want my enthusiasm for thoroughness and detail to discourage readers. So I will publish these brief Posts […]
Three Lake Jewels on the 1,600-Acre Belcher Property Addition: Oak Mountain State Park
Fellow retired forester Chris Stuhlinger and I arrived at Oak Mountain State Park on schedule at 9:00 AM June 8, 2023, intent upon touring the 1,600-acre Belcher property addition, visiting historic Camp Tranquility, and orienting Chris to hazard tree control measures at the Park. I focus this Post on the three lake jewels that the […]
Revisiting the Old Recreation Site at Joe Wheeler State Park
On May 11, 2023, I revisited the Wheeler Dam construction era (1930s) recreation area (along the Multi-Use Trail) on the Wilson Lake side of Alabama’s Joe Wheeler State Park. The 90-year-old area, once serving thousands of workers and their families, now lies in decay, deep within the second-growth forest enveloping it. I am not yet […]
Brief-Form Post #17: Goldsmith-Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary Natural Tree Sculptures!
I am pleased to offer the 17th of my new GBH Brief Form Posts to my website (Less than three minutes to read!). I tend to get a bit long-winded with my routine Posts. I don’t want my enthusiasm for thoroughness and detail to discourage readers. So I will publish these brief Posts regularly. […]
Early May Evening Shower and Next Morning Sunrise at Joe Wheeler State Park
May 10, 2023, I spent most of the day at Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, departing with late afternoon showers to Joe Wheeler State Park, where fellow retired forester Chris Stuhlinger and I would spend the night to tour the Park May 11 with Park Naturalist Sam Woodroof. I focus this Post on the blustery […]
Brief-Form Post #16: My First Cautious Venture into the “Wild” at Eight Weeks after Bypass Surgery
I am pleased to offer the 16th of my new GBH Brief Form Posts to my website (Less than three minutes to read!). I tend to get a bit long-winded with my routine Posts. I don’t want my enthusiasm for thoroughness and detail to discourage readers. So I will publish these brief Posts regularly. […]
May 2023 Exploration in Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
May 10, 2023, I spent a pleasant morning and afternoon, interrupted by a brief thunderstorm, deep in Cane Creek Canyon within the Land Trust of North Alabama Nature Preserve of the same name. The Preserve is a wild and special place, evidencing the wonder and magic at the confluence of geology, water, time, and abundant […]