Photos A Walk in Nature

I'm imagining that changes quite rapidly at times though, by the looks of the shorelines.
Indeed. Yesterday the gauge measured 1.66’. Some of the smaller channels I passed through in my john boat last September were too shallow to pass through.

On May 15th of this year, the gauge measured 23.56’ - moderate flood stage. That’s the flood I had to cut my bike camping trip short to avoid.

https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/PORM2

Last year:
I returned from my 3-day boat/camping trip this afternoon. I’m exhausted, and both the Green Heron and I are a little banged up, but everything went pretty much as I had hoped, and the trip seems to have had its intended effect on my spirit.

I tried to stay as much as possible in the small, shallow channels that run between islands and the river bank through much of my trip.
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I saw all manner of spectacular raptors and waterfowl, but the most enchanting part was drifting silently with the current while clouds of swallows swooped and wheeled all around me, sometimes within a couple of feet from my head.

Oh, and just cruising. The river bottom was rocks and gravel, and I saw all kinds of huge fish swim by :rolleyes:
 
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Nowhere near as spectacular or adventurous as the above, but today I walked 12 or 13 miles and ascended three popular overlooks in the vicinity of Harper’s Ferry. Probably not the wisest thing to do in 95-degree heat and high humidity, but I didn’t need to be back home until mid-afternoon, and wanted to make the most of it.

Weaverton cliffs:
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Jefferson Rock:
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Maryland heights:
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Tagged along but didn’t get used:
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A friend asked if I wanted to go with him on an overnight trip to Franklin Lake out of Mineral King in Sequoia National Park. He had to twist my arm really hard. Six miles one way, trail starts at 7800’ and we topped out at 10,500’ before dropping to camp at 10,400’. Some views from the trip:
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Pictures don’t convey the size. The head wall behind the lake is 2100’.

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And for the obligatory knife content
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On a Smaller Scale...

Siloam Springs State Park, Illinois 8/9/2025
Upon leaving the Hummingbird Banding Festival at the park, I checked out a few of the lake access points.
The spot I chose for coffee break turned out to be my favorite of the day. So peaceful, with nature as my only distraction. See quote below:
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Victorinox Huntsman Walnut
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"I am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit. In my afternoon walk I would fain forget all my morning occupations and my obligations to Society. But it sometimes happens that I cannot easily shake off the village. The thought of some work will run in my head and I am not where my body is - I am out of my senses. In my walks I would fain return to my senses. What business have I in the woods, if I am thinking of something out of the woods?"

Henry David Thoreau
-From Thoreau's Journal; November 25, 1850
 
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Last high country trip of the year. We went to Twin Lakes out of Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park. Seven miles one way with 2900' vertical. Definitely the last high country trip because a system that arrived today will drop three feet of snow. It started snowing when we were at the lake.

Looking down on Cahoon meadow
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The larger of Twin Lakes
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The smaller of Twin Lakes
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Obligatory knife content
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Last high country trip of the year. We went to Twin Lakes out of Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park. Seven miles one way with 2900' vertical. Definitely the last high country trip because a system that arrived today will drop three feet of snow. It started snowing when we were at the lake.

Looking down on Cahoon meadow
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The larger of Twin Lakes
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The smaller of Twin Lakes
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Obligatory knife content
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Spectacular scenes. Good lookin' knife. What make might it be please?
 
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