Yesterday, I made my spring pilgrimage up Hwy. 276 in Greenville County, SC to Brevard, NC and the Pisgah National Forest. On or around this date in previous years, I’ve seen a number of pretty wildflowers including orchids in bloom. I was especially interested in one orchid species in particular, Isotria verticillta or Large Whorled

One of the best botanizing spots in the upstate of South Carolina is a dirt road that connects state Hwy. 11 with U.S. Hwy. 276. It is known as Persimmon Ridge Road. This road cuts through two state Heritage Preserves: Ashmore HP and Eva Chandler HP. Both of those Heritage Preserves (among a dozen others)

On Friday night, the four of us (Alan Cressler, Steve Bowling, Brad Wilson, and I) had been apprised of a severe thunderstorm warning and were eventually deluged with rain and small hail. The accommodation (the “barn”) was very cozy, even considering the hoard of lady-bug beetles that commonly over-winter in the area. Our hosts, H.C.