Spruce Knob Lake is a 1 mile loop trail located near Whitmer, West Virginia. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
My dad took me fishing here a lot as a child, and even as an adult it's still one of my favorite places to visit. I love the nature and the view. This place is beautiful all year round.
I took my kayak to Spruce Knob Lake a few weeks ago. This is a great place for beginners to practice their paddling/maneuvering skills. The day I went, it was a little chilly with some light rain. The water was calm, but there were still plenty of individuals fishing and kayaking. There's an easy area where you can load/unload your kayak as well as easily guide your kayak to and from the loading area.
Explore the most popular views trails near Alton with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Made the drive a number of times when hiking or traveling through the area. It is a springboard for many hikes.
Great hike. Beautiful trail, and great distance views! Trail was a little rocky in the first 2 sections but didn't stop us. We did this hike in 3 legs. Strawberry to cascade falls, then 2 days later we did cascade falls to te-ah campground then 1 week later we did te-ah to woods ranch. If we did it again we would end at deer haven cg. From there to woods ranch is a rocky road and a lot of exposure. We would love to do this and camp 1/2 way through.
To say I loved Barbies as a child would be an understatement. I had the Barbie bike (complete with fuchsia streamers on the handles), Barbie Jeep, Barbie Dream Pool, Barbie Van, Barbie lip gloss, and even Barbie nightgowns with matching minis for the dolls to wear. So naturally, when I heard about the controversy surrounding the newest addition to the Barbie clan, I took an immediate interest.
Last week, Mattel released the tokidoki Barbie Doll, a collector's limited edition designed by the tokidoki lifestyle brand. This one sports a pink bob, leopard leggings, and tattoos on her arm and chest. And though the doll has already sold out, it has earned a storm of detractors. The article in the DailyMail quoted one irate parent who'd gone online to say "Encouraging children that tattoos are cool is wrong, wrong, wrong. Mattel why not put a cigarette and a beer bottle in her hand while you're at it!"
Ok, first of all, tokidoki Barbie is not the first "alternative" member of the Mattel family. The 1998 Butterfly Art Barbie came with (temporary) butterfly tattoos for both you and your doll to enjoy. The 2008 Hard Rock Café Barbie wore a spider necklace, red fishnets, and black streaks in her hair. And then there was the 2009 Totally Stylin' Tattoo Barbie, which is pretty self-explanatory.
At this point, shouldn't we all know better than to assume that tattoos are an indication that someone has a problem with cigarettes or alcohol? Personally, I like to see Barbie rocking pink hair and glittery heels, and she wears her tats with confidence. At her best, Barbie reflects diverse ideas of beauty. And in the end, she's just a doll.
This year I’m planting earlier and using floating row covers and other devices to stretch the season on luscious crops like this Outredgeous lettuce.
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Benjamin Franklin once said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I plead guilty!
Every year I do things in the garden the same way and then wonder why the results aren’t what I expected. The New Year has led me to analyze my mistakes and to embark on a new path.
At the end of February, I start sowing seeds under lights. I usually scatter the entire packet or a good amount of saved seeds, figuring that all will not germinate. Every seed does, and I thin ruthlessly. But, I’m still left with more seedlings that are transplanted into small pots or peat strips than I need.
For instance, I grow seven to ten tomato varieties and only need one sturdy transplant each. I end up with ten or 12, even after I give away transplants to neighbors and friends.
Homesteader guru Sheri Ann Richerson grows edibles under lights almost year-round, and I asked her what she did. She advised, “restraint!” This year, I’m sowing only six tomato, eggplant and pepper seeds per variety. A dozen will be the limit on annual flowers and no more than six of each perennial. I’ll still have plants to share and won’t feel guilty about those I compost or destroy by neglect.
My biggest garden demon is quakegrass, also known as devil’s weed or witchgrass. It’s a cool-season perennial weed that spread rapidly by underground rhizomes. I’ve pulled up the grass and its runners endlessly in perennial, vegetable and fruit beds for years, just have new shoots pop up everywhere. Obviously, mechanical control doesn’t work. The same dilemma faced me when I lived in Texas, in the form of Bermuda grass that also spreads by underground rhizomes.
Quakegrass grows even in the winter under snow and crowds dormant perennials such as this bed of clematis and daylilies.
After extensive research, I learned that a “burn-down” herbicide, applied in early spring and again in late fall, will significantly thwart the spread of invasive perennial weeds, even those like thistles and dandelions which have deep taproots. Burn-down refers to organic chemicals that work their way throughout the weed’s taproot or rhizome system killing the entire system. Compounds like vinegar (acetic acid) in 20 percent or more concentration, clove and citrus oils do the job. And, you don’t pollute the soil or kill the valuable soil microbes that feed plants.
I’m using “Burn-Out” which is mostly acetic acid and “Nature’s Glory” in early March on my weeds. Two caveats, a second application three weeks later is needed for maximum control and it’s best to apply the herbicides with a paint brush or sponge so that surrounding plants are not killed. You’ll see results within three hours.
Because I live in a cold climate with about a 100-day growing season, I error on the side of caution and plant when weather is almost frost-free, about May 15. Many years, my cauliflower bolts, cabbage splits and tomatoes and peppers that require 80 days or more don’t ripen on the vine.
These 'Jimmy Nardello' and 'Mini Belle' peppers didn't make it to maturity before the first killing frost, because I planted them to late last year.
This year, I’m using floating row covers for salad greens, cauliflower, cabbage and carrots to trap daytime heat. That way I can direct seed and set out tiny transplants at the end of March, instead of waiting until May 1. I’m going to put out tomatoes, eggplant and pepper transplants early, too, the last week of April. I’ll wrap cages with row cover, mulch the soil with red plastic and place plastic milk jugs filled with hot water in the cages on nights that go below 40F.
Next week, I’ll cover a couple more things I’m doing different this year. Meanwhile, tell me what are your biggest problems and how you solved your garden dilemmas.
I've embarked on a new hobby of gardening. After much research and reading I invested in a small greenhouse and started a bunch of seeds. Things are actually growing and it's kind of neat to watch the progress. I started most of the seedlings in the 4 cell flats. Can those seedlings stay in those containers until its time for transplanting outside? I have peppers, tomatoes and zucchini and I live in Long Beach, NY. Thanks
Seedlings, especially tomatoes and peppers, need to be transplanted into larger pots, at least 4-inch ones. Plants need to form vigorous root systems before they are set into the ground. If left in seed cells or flats, they quit producing roots and either struggle in to garden or die.
Cicero, Einstien...Both believable. Benjamin Franklin, Like Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell,and the rest,, invented or pioneered nothing. In the great tradition of Brit inventors, they stole everything from European inventors and patented it here,claimed it for their own. Ask Marconi, Tesla and myriad others.
I thought it was Albert Einstein who said Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Correct me if I am wrong. Great Post btw!
Albert Einstein said something similar to the quote. A number of historical figures like Benjamin Franklin said it. The originator was Cicero! Glad you liked the blog. Look for more on seed starting and other seasonal chores we gardeners can do to fill up the gray, cold months of remaining winter.