Write Up:This may have been the slowest but one of the most memorable trips the AOC has taken on the Arkaqua (aside from D7 that took place earlier that day). Instead of rushing through the 6 miles from Brasstown Bald to Trackrock Gap in 2 hours, per the usual D5, we strolled along at about 1 mile per hour. Along the way Ben Cash, our guide from Georgia Forest Watch, pointed out numerous species of trees, bushes, wildflowers, ferns, moss, and other native plants. We saw, smelled and tasted various herbs and leaves including ramps (a wild onion with a garlic flavor), black birch, and several types of mint. Our group also saw and heard the unusual mating call of the Ruffed Grouse. Near the end of our journey, we stopped at the Archeological site known as 9UN367, which consists of numerous piles of stones and stone walls. Ben referred us to a peer-reviewed research article that provides an overview of the history of this site, including the Cherokee legends related to the rock formations, and a detailed description of the scientific investigation conducted on this area. The article is available at
http://www.stratumunlimited.com/uploads/4/8/1/5/4815662/track_rock_paper.pdfThank you to Ben Cash and Jennifer Lopez of the Georgia Forest Watch for providing this opportunity for AOC members to learn more about the plants and wildlife of North Georgia.
Some of the more interesting plants that Ben showed us include: Galax, Wild Raisin, Witch-hazel, Yellow Trillium, Dutchman's Pipe, American Chestnut (ravaged by disease, but still bearing fruit); Spotted Wintergreen (also known as Pipsissewa, from Cree pipisisikweu, literally: it breaks it into pieces, so called because it was believed to be efficacious in treating bladder stones), Service Berry, Pussy toes, Rattlesnake flower, Red Buckeye, Toothwort, and Old Man's Beard.
Joyce's FB album: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150748902770260.457022.540275259&type=1
Link to more photos of the people and plants on our trip:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/115621593292567029391/posts
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