There was a humming sound as it lifted straight up into the air.  Within seconds it was 700 feet above my little house in the woods.  I could see myself as its eyes recorded my miniature image far below standing on the stairs that go up to my deck.  As it rose higher and higher above the little mountain I live on there was a panoramic view of  the larger south Asheville community.  I felt like a speck and yet was awed by the beauty of my little place in the world.

The DJI quad-copter drone was owned by my daughter's boyfriend.  He had given me a visual experience with his camera embossed drone that set me to wondering about dragonflies...Mother Nature's Drones.  A couple of days later I found a pair of transparent wings beside the birdbath.  Obvious evidence of a predator-prey encounter.  So I decided that dragonflies, a prevalent resident during the summer, would be my subject for Carolina Critters this month. 

Dragonflies are members of the Odonta order of insects with about 5,900 species!  Dragonflies are distinguished from their close cousin the Damselfly by the way they hold their wings.  While at rest, dragonflies hold their wings perpendicular to their body.  Damselflies hold their wings together above their torso when perching or at rest.  Dragonflies tend to be larger than damselflies. To read more click here.

Walking Distance

By Danny Bernstein

Walking Distance: Extraordinary hikes for ordinary people is my dream book. Written by Robert Manning, a professor at the University of Vermont, and Martha Manning, a working artist, the book offers 30 long distance walks that anyone can do.

I first turned to the Cotswold Way, a 100 miles through southern England. As the Mannings describe, the trail is quintessential England - thatched roof cottages, prosperous villages, historic churches, and pastoral valleys. They walked from Bath, a major historic town, and headed north while I walked from Chipping Campden. This way, I could spend a couple of days exploring Bath after the hike. You stay in bed and breakfasts or small hotels, never needing to camp. Beyond you dayhiking gear, you just bring your toothbrush and couple of changes of underwear. To read more click here.

Hiking Conference Set For September

Hikers from across the Southeast are invited to the Eighth Biennial Conference of the Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition (SEFTC) in Blairsville, Georgia and neighboring Vogel State Park September 18-21, 2014. Registration for this event has begun and may be accomplished by going to the website: http://www.southeasternfoottrails.org
Highlighting this conference will be presentations by Ron Tipton, Executive Director of
the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Janet Zeller, National Accessibility Program Manager, U.S. Forest Service. Numerous other presenters will lead workshops on Friday the 19th and Sunday morning, the 21st. The Friday plenary session and most workshops, as well as registration sign-in, will be at the new Union County Community Center in Blairsville.  To read more click here.

Walking In Asheville Is Risky

By Kathy Kyle

Asheville is known as a hiking destination, but its track record for pedestrian safety makes walking in the city a risky venture. The Land of Sky is designated as the most deadly city in the state for walkers. A July death of a pedestrian on a sidewalk in a neighborhood resulted in misdemeanor charges reckless driving and death by vehicle. The speed limit where the fatality occurred was 20 miles per hour and the driver was driving without insurance. 

Lothar Dohse, a UNC Asheville professor who is a member of a recently established city study panel called the Multimodal Transportation Commission attributes it to tourism and the winding, hilly, roads. A larger city with winding hilly roads and tourists, however, has the distinction of being one of the most safe cities in the nation for walkers and bikers - Seattle.  

CMC Member George Gunewald Dies

George Emerich "Boomer" Grunewald, 74, of Brevard died Monday, July 7.

He was born on Jan. 8, 1940, in Chicago, served in the Marines, and lived for 40 years in California before moving to Asheville for 12 years and quite recently to Brevard.

George was an avid outdoorsman - paddler, fly fisherman, hiker - and a great story teller.  He was a member of and volunteered with RiverLink and Trout Unlimited and was a member of Carolina Mountain Club.  He is survived by a brother Frank Gruenewald in Oklahoma, a cousin Herb Gruenewald in CA, and 6 nephews.  He will be sorely missed by his many friends.

There will be no calling hours.  A celebration of George's life will be held at a later date.

In George's honor, you may make a donation to The Nature Conservancy, 46 Haywood St, Ste. 222, Asheville 28801