You may notice that some of the larger leaves look a bit torn. Apparently they were damaged during a recent hail storm!
![Pennywort (Obolaria virginica) [Gentianaceae]](https://i0.wp.com/wcbotanicalclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/20170324_110430.jpg?w=388&h=321&ssl=1 "Pennywort (Obolaria virginica) [Gentianaceae]")
Photography by Penny Longhurst
Also check out Jock Aplin’s great pictures at http://flickr.com/photos/25966632@N03/sets/72157679361208592/
Another great day for Hardy Souls. Thanks Larry!
(Click on any picture to zoom)
Photography by Ken Borgfeldt & Penny Longhurst
Presenters: Joe and Mary Standaert. Death Valley is the hottest, driest place on the entire North American continent. But once every 10 years or so, something magical happens: The valley explodes with a rare floral “super bloom,” in which its native plants literally spring to life. Death Valley started a super bloom in early January, 2016 after three rainstorms hit back in October 2015, spurring wildflower growth which carpeted the desert with thousands of colorful wildflowers. The last super blooms were in 1998 and 2005, also El Nino years. We planned to go in 2015, but could not make it, and booked a camping trip for March 2016, not knowing about the bloom ahead of time! We came home with “only” 1,600 photos!
If you missed seeing Joe’s presentation, or would like to look again, he has posted his pictures online at Death Valley Superbloom.
AND.. if you missed the previous presentations on their trips to Alaska or Glacier, click on the names.
Most years we walk the Buck Spring Trail from Pisgah Inn to the site of George Vanderbilt’s hunting lodge. Have you ever wondered what the building looked like or how it was used by Vanderbilt and his guests? Bill Alexander, Biltmore Estate historian, showed photos and told us about this historic property.
If you want to visit the Lodge site, the Buck Spring Gap Overlook parking area is located at Milepost 407.7 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The overlook is just off the Parkway along the Mount Pisgah trailhead access road across from the picnic area. The site is located beside the trail a few hundred yards south of the Buck Spring Gap Overlook parking area.
More information on the Buckspring Lodge and photographs can be found at the following sites
A Great Camp in the Great Outdoors
Vanderbilt (D-1-13) Lodge on Pisgah
Lucy admiring Purple-flowering Raspberry at the remains of the generator building
Good friends, great food, and Ken’s “Blooms and Bloopers” slide show. What more could we ask for? Happy Holidays, everyone!
Western Carolina Botanical Club 