Cranberry Glades in the Monongahalea National Forest of Elkins, WV

This past Saturday I got up bright and early (well maybe not so bright!) at 3:30am! I had to be in Morgantown, WV by 6am so the five of us from the orchid society could carpool together to the Cranberry Glades to view some wild orchids up close and personal! It was worth having to wake up when I usually wanted to go to bed instead as we saw TONS of orchids! 

Platanthera grandiflora found on the side of the road!

Platanthera grandiflora alba, the only one in the whole forest!

Calapogon tuberosus growing in the bog.

There are more pictures that can be seen on the OSWP's Facebook page. Can't wait to go on another hike to find more orchids! It's quite exciting! 

Falling Into Winter

Last Sunday I was finally able to see the forsythia mess up by the street. It turns out there are really only three bushes, but the one closest to the house has been left unchecked to grow wild. There were branches all the way to the sidewalk! Even though you are not supposed to prune more than 1/3 off, I figured this thing has grown enough over the years to have enough energy stored so I hacked away! I even got the chainsaw out! Inside that mess was a wild grape vine that was as big as my wrist! Anyhow, it has not been cleaned up well, but it is tamed at least! 

All the plants I couldn't figure out where to put since I didn't really have time to figure out the garden were dug in for the winter until hubby decided he HAD to do certain projects outside and had to move them. If I can't find any of my plants next spring, we'll know why! Now some of them are uncovered and winter is arriving this weekend! I need to get a new bag of mulch. This was the last thing I wanted to do when winter hit! *sigh* 

As for winter, my first seed catalog came in the mail today! Time to dream! What shall I plant next year????