About

Why?

Camping. Traveling. Hiking. Nature. Parks. These are my favorite things. I realize that I have had the opportunity to see and do some things that many people have not.

I am tired of endlessly posting long Instagram posts with novels about where I was, what I was doing, and/or the history/geography/geology/biology of the thing I am posting. I've always wanted to share my cool travels and things with everyone, but didn't have a great place to do it. I also have a habit of posting months or even YEARS after the trip. My personal travel journal is always left unfinished. It has been a debate of mine whether or not to create a travel blog since having a travel blog was cool and trendy. Finally, after years of debate, here I am making a blog. Ironically, now that I made one, travel blogs are no longer cooler and trendy.

What's the Blog About?

This is blog where I can post about some of the unique places in the country including the history/geology/geography/biology and all that jazz that makes me excited to learn about.
You can also read this to see where all I've traveled and see neat pictures and details about it.
Random adventures and nature closer to home

If that also doesn't do it for you, then you don't have to read this blog. That's the beauty of it! Now you can if you want but if not, you don't have to be flooded with it on my social media accounts.

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West Leechburg Wildflowers Week 1- March 23, 2026

During the week of March 23rd 2026 , I ventured out for the first time in search of wildflowers and emerging snakes, salamanders, and frogs at the West Leechburg Native Plant Preserve . This is earlier than I normally start, but I wanted to be able to see a complete cycle for some species I only ever notice as they're flowering. I also felt it might be a bit early for most snakes, salamanders, and frogs that I like to catch but still worth a shot. Some quick notes about the West Leechburg Native Plant Preserve: It is interesting that there is such a wide variety of wildflowers in this scrappy area. The whole ravine is an eroding pile of old mining spoil and overburden essentially thrown back into the ravine after mining and road construction that then eroded down the steep ravine. Invasive plants take over the area after early spring wildflowers are done blooming (and during the bloom) including k notweed, barberry, garlic mustard, stiltgrass etc. Kiskiminetas Watershed Association...

West Leechburg Wildflowers Week 2 - March 30, 2026

Many more wildflowers appeared for my second venture to West Leechburg Native Plant Preserve during the week of March 30th 2026 . I'm dubbing this the week of the bloodroot and trout lily as they were by far the most impressive this week. It was neat to see how much had changed in the development of those I saw the week before and also to see some new appearances including trilliums and cutleaf toothwort. I should also declare this the start of tick season. I found 2 or 3 ticks crawling on my leg while walking the trail. There are lots of barberry plants, a tick favorite.

West Leechburg Wildflowers Week 4 - April 13, 2026

We are onto week 4 ( April 13th, 2026 ) at West Leechburg Native Plant Preserve with some hot and humid weather. There continues to be an increase in new plants, and I continue to focus on those that will be blooming or are of notable interest. The bloodroot, yellow trout lily, blue cohosh, and Dutchman's breeches are all done blooming. I expected longer from the dutchman's breeches, but oh well. Maybe the heat got them like the red trillium? This was the best week for the white trillium and two-leaved toothwort. I am super excited to announce that I found Jack-in-the-pulpit for the first time (for me) here!!! Some other new plants include bluets, foamflower, and poison ivy (I won't include that, it's just an important thing for me). I'm thinking next week will be good for the Solomon's seal but I think the other budding plants like mayapple and foamflower will need another week. I'm not sure.

Ms. Adventure

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