Poeaxtry's Prism

Spell. Stone. & Sparks that Ignite Change

Tag: nature therapy

  • Buckeye Lake Dam Trail Winter Walk with Luna,

    Buckeye Lake Dam Trail Winter Walk with Luna,

    Sign at the start of the bike trail at buvkeye lake

    A Late Afternoon Walk Around Buckeye Lake with Luna

    After a day of winter hikes on January 23, I picked up Luna and headed to the Buckeye Lake Dam Bike Trail. This is a scenic paved loop beside Buckeye Lake in central Ohio. The trail follows the top of the Buckeye Lake Dam and shoreline path. It offers panoramic views of the reservoir and winter skies on a quiet Friday stroll. 

    Buckeye Lake, was created in the early 19th century as the Licking Summit Reservoir. Built to support the Ohio and Erie Canal. It sits in Fairfield, Licking, and Perry counties. Today it is known as both a historic waterway and a recreational lake.

    Luna a red nosed pitbull walking in her winter jacket and snow boots

    The Buckeye Lake Dam Bike Trail Experience

    The Buckeye Lake Dam Bike Trail is about 4.1 miles long, paved, and designed for both walkers and cyclists. On this winter afternoon, Luna and I walked about 1/4th of it. I spent my time here appreciating the cold, crisp air and the skyline view of the lake.

    You can glimpse water stretching wide, bordered by lakeside homes and wetlands that draw local wildlife, even in winter’s quiet. 

    Docks and ice on a frozen lake

    Winter Ice, Open Water, and Why That Matters

    On this January walk we saw large stretches of unfrozen water near the shoreline and docks. Many lakes in Ohio, including Buckeye Lake, have yearly reports of unsafe ice conditions leading to rescue calls and hypothermia risk. At times when ice isn’t fully formed people or pets have fallen through thin ice. 

    Local authorities monitor ice thickness for ice fishing and boating safety. Though, conditions can change quickly, always check current ice thickness advisories before venturing out. 

    Sun high in the sky partially cloud covered with a half frozen lake

    Trail Vibe with Luna: Quiet Water, Wind, and Tracks

    Walking the trail with Luna was peaceful. The wind on the lake’s surface moved cold ripples rather than creating it’s normal waves. The paved path beneath our feet was cleared of snow and ice. However, the low winter sun cast long shadows over the trail’s curves and lake edges. Open water makes for dramatic sky reflections and unexpected wildlife sightings. Winter brings its own kind of life to cold days. 

    Luna pulled at the occasional scent, alert to waterfowl. a distant train whistle echoed along the shorelines near Buckeye Lake Village. This mix of trail, water, open space, and quiet winter light made for a satisfying end‑of‑day walk.

    Axton in a yellow coat and black hat luna the rednosed pitbull in a blue jacket with blue sky and white clouds behind

    Why Winter Safety Matters at the Lake

    While reservoirs are beautiful in winter, they demand caution.

    Ice conditions vary with depth, flow, and temperature. Thin ice can’t support weight and can collapse suddenly.  Hypothermia risk is high when cold water hits exposed skin. Knowing ice and lake safety matters to the risks you take when navigating nature in the winter.

    Even on trails, winds from open water can turn cold quickly, making layered clothing, good boots, and awareness essential.

    The Buckeye Lake Dam Bike Trail walk with Luna wasn’t about distance, it was about stillness and attention. The open water in the cold and the quiet knowledge that winter beauty must always be met with respect. Buckeye Lake holds history in its water and shoreline, and in winter it reminds you that water can be both mirror and mystery.

    Have you been to Buckeye Lake in the winter? What local lake do you often visit in the winter? What do you enjoy most about winter lake walks? Tell me all about your winter wonders in the comments and share with someone else who loves winter walking.

    Want to explore more?

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  • A Serene 4-Mile Loop at Mohican State Park: Big & Little Lyons Falls, & Dam,

    A Serene 4-Mile Loop at Mohican State Park: Big & Little Lyons Falls, & Dam,

    It was around 70 °F when we set out today. I think that’s close to a perfect temperate for wandering among waterfalls, woodland, and scars left by the river currently and years ago. The crew: Luna, Kylie, and me. We parked by the covered bridge at Mohican State Park and embarked on a loop that wove us past 2 cascading falls, a dam and spillway, forested slopes, and the gentle murmur of the stream flowing through.

    🌿 Trail & Park Overview

    Mohican State Park spans about 1,110 acres, nestled in Ashland County, Ohio, along the south shore of Pleasant Hill Lake.  The Clear Fork branch of the Mohican River carves a gorge through the park. Surrounding it is the Mohican-Memorial State Forest, which adds many miles of trails to explore. 

    The hike we did is a combination of what’s called the Pleasant Hill & Lyons Falls Loop or Covered Bridge → Little & Big Lyons Falls → Pleasant Hill Dam route.  Though many sources list that loop as ~2 to 2.5 miles, I stretched ours into an “almost 4 mile loop” by taking side paths, lingering, and sometimes doubling back for shots. 

    The covered bridge by which we parked is a picturesque structure over The Mohican River, built in 1968 using native hardwoods.  It’s a frequent trailhead point for the falls loop and a favored photo spot. There’s a link at the end of the post for an album containing the photos i took!

    Big Lyons Falls (the “larger” fall) and Little Lyons Falls are named after historic characters Paul Lyons and Thomas Lyons (yes, Thomas allegedly wore a necklace of 99 human tongues in lore).  Big Lyons is often described as having a more dramatic drop into a canyon-like cliff amphitheater; Little Lyons offers views from above, a box-canyon feel. 

    After the falls, a side spur leads to Pleasant Hill Dam and the “morning glory” spillway (a flood control feature) that adds a modern, engineered contrast to the raw rock and forest.  The dam and spillway are part of the hydrologic control for the Pleasant Hill reservoir system. 

    The return path follows riverbanks, crossing small footbridges and boardwalks, letting you drift back to the covered bridge. 

    📷 Our Experience & Photo Highlights

    We parked at the covered bridge, as before when Luna and I visited during the fire tower hike. Thus, the place feels familiar, comfortable. With the selfie stick + tripod, we paused at multiple vantage points: on bridge itself, on a walkway by the dam, under a boulder, and close to the falls. At Big Lyons, the amphitheater pour with, wet rocks, and water access we recorded videos walking under. We climbed stairs near the falls, careful on slippery surfaces (wet rock + moss = tricky). Little Lyons offered a vantage from the top edge of the drop; we explored carefully, watching our footing. I am clumsy.

    We detoured toward the dam & spillway, capturing architectures meeting water, especially at the “morning glory” opening. Our loop felt longer than standard because we paused, lingered, and sometimes retraced paths, or lingered longer. My dog trotted ahead excitedly, nose to stone and river spray, bounding between roots and rocks. The 70 °F warmth made the forest feel lush and alive, especially when we broke into sunlit clearings.

    📝 Tips & Observations

    Footwear & grip matter. Moss, wet rock, stairs near falls = slippery. Timing light. Early or late in day gives softer side-light on falls and river. Bring gear and protection. Water spray + humidity can fog lenses. Know trail mileage is flexible. The “loop” is often marketed shorter, but you can extend or wander. Dogs are allowed (on leash). I kept mine leashed, especially near drop edges. Use the covered bridge as start/anchor. It’s accessible and scenic. It is a great staging point. Pause for sound & mood, not just visuals. The river murmuring, leaf rustles, quiet corners enrich the story.

    Pursuit of happiness

    Photo album from Mohican

    Links

    Portfolio

    Ko-fi

  • Energy: Where Does it Come From?

    Energy: Where Does it Come From?

    What things give you energy?

    Energy reserves:

    Energy is slippery for me. With ADHD, I don’t always wake up with a neat little battery icon at 100 percent. Instead, it’s closer to an energy reserve that ebbs and flows. And sometimes that spark is bright and fast. While other times it’s dwindling with little to no warning. I’ve had to learn that energy isn’t just about sleep or food for me, and it’s more about where my spirit plugs in.

    Nature:

    Nature is my primary resource. Hiking trails, creeks running wild, sandstone ridges shaped by centuries of wind, and a roaring waterfall at the end of a sweat soaked trail. There is where energy is recharged for me. In those places I refill in ways caffeine never could.

    The Red River Gorge or a simple forest path near home becomes a charging station for my mind and body. It’s like a Tesla charging station I didn’t need Elon Musk to build. The rhythm of my tennis shoes against dirt, the press of cool rock in my palm, the sudden flash of a butterflies wings are all part of what fuels me.

    Out there, my ADHD mind isn’t too much; it’s just right. It matches the chaos of leaves, the unpredictability of weather, the endless possibility around each bend in the trail.

    Advocacy:

    Advocacy also gives me energy, though it comes from a different kind of spark. Speaking up, protecting minority community voices, making space for marginalized creators. This is the kind of work that costs energy and yet somehow returns it at the same time. Fighting for change isn’t easy, but it is necessary. And every time I see someone feel heard, every time a voice long silenced finally resonates, I feel that flicker of fire in my chest. That fire is renewable.

    Energy:

    So, what gives me energy? It’s a perfect mix curated by and for me. The rush of ADHD hyperfocus when I’m passionate. The grounding pulse of nature that steadies my racing thoughts. The charge of advocacy that reminds me I’m not just one voice, and I’m part of something larger: a collective heartbeat that refuses to be quiet. My energy isn’t always predictable, but it is powerful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

    So how do you recharge your battery?

    Poeaxtry’s links

    Coffee discord

  • Afternoon Recharge at Dennison Biological Reserve

    Afternoon Recharge at Dennison Biological Reserve

    A Sunday Reset

    Sunday is technically a work night for me. I’m a weekend warrior at the nursing home, but that doesn’t stop the pull of a perfect September afternoon. I woke up early around 2 p.m. and couldn’t get back to sleep. The weather was reading a nice 80 degrees, clear skies, the kind of day that begs for a quick escape, if you cannot fit in a full escape. Luna, my dog, was already side-eyeing me like she knew what was coming, wheels spinning in my head. I swear she knows me better than anyone.

    We ran to the car, like it was a race. Of course we made a quick pit stop at the drive-thru for a zero Red Bull, before we hit the road. Dennison Biological Reserve is one of our go-to spots when we want a short burst of fresh air, greenery, and wildlife without committing to a full-day hike. It is right up the street though technically a different town. Granville, Ohio is home to this local gem. Be respectful, leave no trace, don’t interfere with the natural environment as the college uses it for their programs and is nice enough to allow public access. They even leave out doggie bowls for water! Bless!!

    Arboretum Loop Trail

    We went straight for the Arboretum Loop Trail, and today we did it twice. It’s a flat, easy loop, perfect for a brisk half mile that we covered in under 10 minutes per lap. The trail is simple but full of little discoveries. Luna bounced along the path, sniffing everything, clearly enjoying the change in scenery. I spotted a striking yellow-and-blue butterfly, among the flowers as if it had been painted there for the occasion.

    At one point, we stumbled across an entire raccoon skeleton. Luna pulled and sniffed the air curiously, but I didn’t allow her close. I also didn’t risk collecting them for chimes and wands because roundworms aren’t worth that. Though, I couldn’t help but pause and appreciate how these small, almost hidden details make even short trips feel like an adventure. That’s the beauty of these local spots accessible and full of unexpected wildlife moments.

    Why These Small Trips Matter

    Even short trips like this make a difference. Being outside, moving, seeing wildlife, and noticing details like a butterfly’s wing or the pattern of leaves in sunlight. At least for me is a reset for my brain. It doesn’t matter that we only did a mile; walking, breathing fresh air, and being somewhere alive with natural details gives me the kind of mental recharge that sticks with me for hours. The sunlight is a big part of what makes this so important for someone like me with seasonal affective disorder. Though I would argue sunlight is important in boosting almost every individuals day… in the right situations.

    Autumn leaves freshly fallen on the Ohio trail
    Autumn Leaves on The Arboretum Trail

    These little adventures remind me that you don’t always need a full day or a long trail to feel recharged. Even a short loop or two at a local reserve can be enough to clear the head, reset perspective, and get me ready to handle the rest of my day… or night at work. Now I’ll be feeling much lighter and more grounded.

    Local Highlights

    Wildlife spotting: Butterflies, raccoon skeletons, birds, and the occasional squirrel or chipmunk. Trail accessibility: Seasonal vibes: September afternoons bring warmth, crisp air, and long shadows… perfect for photography or just breathing it all in.

    Dennison Biological Reserve is one of those gems that’s easy to forget until you need it. Quick, local, low-commitment, but high in payoff for mood, energy, and mental clarity. Even a single mile, a short loop, can remind you why you keep chasing little moments of nature.

    Though just to note there is also a close to 2 mile loop here and another closer to 3.5 mile loop. That both sit on a privately owned no access allowed lake/pond. Please respect others and their property and do not disturb the private lake areas.

    Poeaxtry’s links

    Photos discord

    Nature

  • Why I Blog: Healing Through Words and Wilderness

    Why I Blog: Healing Through Words and Wilderness

    Why do you blog?

    Finding My Voice in the Digital Wilderness:

    At thirty-three, I never imagined I’d become someone who shares the intimate parts of my life online. Yet here I am, consistently showing up to write about grief, gender identity, and the healing power of hiking. If you’re wondering why someone would choose to be so vulnerable in public spaces, the answer is both simple and complex: because sharing our stories creates the connection and healing we all desperately need.

    When Grief Needs Witnesses:

    Losing my mother changed how I process emotions entirely. Suddenly I had all these feelings with nowhere to put them. Writing journal entries addressed to her felt worse than loosing her fake almost. So I started doing it differently. I discovered something powerful: I wasn’t the only person talking to someone who couldn’t talk back.

    Sometimes the most healing thing we can do is witness each other’s pain and say “me too.”

    Mountains as Medicine:

    My hiking posts might look like simple nature photography, but they’re actually documentation of my primary therapy. When emotions become overwhelming, I head to the trails. The physical exertion helps regulate my nervous system while natural beauty provides perspective impossible to find in urban chaos. And it’s something my mom and I loved to do together.

    Each trail represents a different emotional journey. Sharing these experiences shows others that outdoor activities can be powerful mental health tools, not just weekend recreation. Nature doesn’t judge your tears or your questions about who you’re becoming.

    Creating the Safe Spaces We Needed:

    The internet can be hostile, especially for transgender people navigating identity questions. By consistently sharing authentic content about my experiences, I’m creating the kind of safe space I desperately needed when I was younger and struggling alone.

    This extends beyond trans content. Writing honestly about grief, family estrangement, mental health struggles, and finding joy in simple moments creates multiple entry points for people who need to feel less alone. Safe spaces aren’t just physical locations; they’re emotional environments where vulnerability meets understanding instead of judgment.

    The Healing Power of Owning Your Story:

    Blogging forces me to articulate experiences that might otherwise stay tangled in my head. The writing process helps me understand my own emotions more clearly. When I write about complicated family relationships or gender identity struggles, I often discover insights that weren’t apparent until I found words for the experience.

    There’s something revolutionary about controlling your own narrative. For too long, other people told stories about what grief should look like, how men should process emotions, or what it means to be transgender. Blogging gives me ownership over how my experiences are presented and discussed.

    Building Community Through Shared Truth:

    The most unexpected benefit has been the community that formed around shared experiences. People reach out to tell their own stories of loss, identity questions, or finding peace in nature. These connections prove that individual healing contributes to collective healing when we’re brave enough to be honest about our struggles.

    Comments become support groups. Email exchanges turn into lasting friendships. Social media shares connect my words with people who needed to read exactly what I wrote on exactly the day they found it. This ripple effect makes the vulnerability of public writing feel worthwhile.

    Why This Matters:

    Some days blogging feels like shouting into the void. Other days it feels like the most important work I do. The consistency matters more than perfect posts. By showing up regularly to write about real experiences, I’m proving that our messy, complicated stories matter enough to be told with care.

    The combination of grief processing, outdoor therapy, and transgender experience sharing might seem random, but it reflects reality: human beings are complex. We don’t fit neat categories, and our healing doesn’t follow predictable patterns. My blog honors that complexity while creating content that might help others navigate their own beautiful, difficult lives.

    An Invitation to Connection:

    If you’re processing loss, questioning identity, struggling with family relationships, or finding healing in nature, you’re not alone. If you’re looking for authentic stories that don’t tie everything up with neat bows, this space is for you. If you need permission to feel complicated emotions about complicated situations, consider this your invitation.

    We heal in community, even when that community exists primarily in digital spaces. By sharing our real experiences, we create opportunities for others to feel seen, understood, and less alone in whatever they’re carrying.

    This is why I blog: to process, to connect, to heal, and to remind anyone who needs to hear it that their story matters too. Your struggles are valid. Your questions are welcome. Your healing journey deserves witnesses who understand that growth is messy, nonlinear, and absolutely worth sharing.

    Links

  • 10 Things I Know to Be Absolutely Certain (Even If the World Disagrees)

    10 Things I Know to Be Absolutely Certain (Even If the World Disagrees)

    List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

    10 Things I Know to Be Absolutely Certain

    The world is full of noise. People act like they’ve got it all figured out. They pretend certainty is something you can buy, Google, or fake your way into. But real certainty doesn’t come easy. It comes from surviving things that should’ve broken you. It comes from loving hard and losing even harder. It comes from walking through the same fire twice and still choosing to fight for something better. These aren’t opinions I’m floating out to debate. These are truths I’ve earned, and they’re not going anywhere.

    1. I’ll miss my mom forever. She was my best friend.

    Grief doesn’t shrink with time. It just learns how to sit quieter in the room. My mom wasn’t just a parent. She was my anchor. My favorite person. My best friend. When the world went sideways, she was the one I called. Now that she’s gone, the silence where her voice used to be is deafening. Missing her is permanent, but so is her impact. She taught me how to be real. She showed me how to love with everything I have in me. My mom always encouraged me to keep going even when I feel like I can’t. That love doesn’t disappear. It just shifts into a new forever one.

    2. All humans are equal, no matter their socioeconomic status.

    I don’t care if someone’s living in a penthouse or sleeping in their car. People are people. Period. Worth isn’t tied to a paycheck, an address, or a resume. It’s wild that we still have to say this. This society is obsessed with pretending some lives matter more because they’re richer. People think cleaner or more “put together” lives are more important. That’s bullshit. Struggle doesn’t make someone less human, and success doesn’t make someone superior. Every person deserves dignity, not because they earned it, but because they exist.

    3. I love the outdoors. Give me a trail and a dog, the all trails app, and I’m set.

    Nature is my peace. The second I step onto a trail, even a short one, something shifts in me. I breathe deeper. I move freer. Add a dog to that and it’s basically therapy. I don’t need fancy plans. Just give me access to All Trails, a pair of beat-up shoes, and a four-legged companion, and I’m good. There’s something healing about watching the world do its thing without us. Trees growing, rivers moving, birds calling out like nothing’s wrong. It reminds me there’s still beauty, still quiet, still reasons to keep going.

    4. The world doesn’t have to be like this. Everyone fighting for a crumb of the crust.

    This system? It’s not broken. It was built like this. Built to pit us against each other while a handful of people hoard the loaf. But that’s not how things have to be. We’ve been tricked into thinking there’s no other options, that this toxic hustle and scarcity mindset is just life. But it’s not. We can build something better. We can share more, care more, unlearn this survival-of-the-cruelest nonsense, and remember how to exist in community, not competition. All people deserve more than scraps.

    5. It’s very possible to not like either side of the U.S. government.

    It’s wild how people act like criticizing both major political parties makes you some form of traitor. I’m not here to support any side that lies. I won’t cheer for those who manipulate. I refuse to back those who sell out the people they’re supposed to serve. Propaganda exists everywhere. It just wears different colors depending on the channel. You can call out bullshit from all sides without being “uninformed” or “indecisive.” Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is refuse to play the rigged game at all.

    6. Dogs are better company than most people.

    Dogs don’t lie. They don’t scheme. They don’t pretend to be your friend while secretly rooting for your downfall. Dogs love honestly and without ego. They care when you’re hurting, even if they don’t know why. They don’t need explanations. They just show up. There’s something about that presence that makes you feel safe in a way most people can’t match. I’ll take a dog’s loyalty over a human’s performative empathy any day.

    7. The thrill is always worth the risk.

    Chasing a view requires sore legs and scraped hands. Making a life decision scares you half to death. If it makes your heart beat faster, it’s worth taking the risk. It’s probably worth it. That fight to get there. That doubt you have to push through. A quiet moment at the top where it all comes together. That’s what makes it real. The joy doesn’t come easy, but that’s why it matters. I’d rather risk it and live fully than play it safe and feel nothing at all.

    8. College degrees don’t measure intelligence or creativity.

    You can’t teach vision. You can’t grade lived experience. I’ve seen some of the most brilliant people get dismissed because they don’t have letters after their name. Some of the most useless ideas get celebrated because someone paid tuition. Don’t get me wrong, education can be valuable, but it’s not the only way. It’s definitely not the only proof of worth. Some of the smartest people I know are autodidacts, survivors, creators. Degrees don’t define genius. Action does.

    9. Family is everything, but I don’t just mean blood.

    Blood ties you to people, but it doesn’t make them your family. Family is who shows up when shit gets real. They see you at your worst and stick around anyway. They know your trauma, your mess, your contradictions, and still call you theirs. I’ve built my own family through friendship, through chosen connection, through shared history and mutual growth. Those bonds? They’re just as sacred. Maybe more so, because they were made by choice, not chance. I do, however, cherish my given family that I decided to keep around.

    10. Google isn’t how you prove research.

    We’ve gotten lazy with facts. Type anything into Google and you’ll find a dozen articles to back it up, true or not. Real research takes more. It takes curiosity, discernment, and effort. It means asking who wrote it, who funded it, and why. It means reading past the headline. Most people don’t go that deep. They just want something to confirm what they already believe. But truth doesn’t live in echo chambers. It lives in the uncomfortable space between easy answers and actual effort.

    These aren’t just passing thoughts. They’re part of me. They’ve been earned through grief, joy, clarity, and chaos. You don’t need everyone to agree with what you know in your bones. You just need to hold onto it when the world tries to convince you otherwise. So this is me holding firm. These are the things I know to be absolutely certain. And that’s enough.

  • Three Falls in One Day: Bridal Veil, Dry Falls & Triple Falls

    Three Falls in One Day: Bridal Veil, Dry Falls & Triple Falls

    Feet in the water at triple falls.
    Axton in gray shirt, blue shorts and standing in a cave by the road.
    Take me back RIGHT NOW.

    Yesterday was a waterfall day. North Carolina left nothing to be desired.

    Bridal Veil Falls, North Carolina

    We hit Bridal Veil Falls, Dry Falls, and Triple Falls back to back and somehow, each one felt completely different. The Bridal Veil was soft and strange, like it didn’t quite want to be seen but couldn’t help it. Dry Falls had weight. You get to walk behind it. Even though the mist still found your face, it felt like standing inside power. Then there was Triple Falls was layered, loud, and fast. It didn’t ask permission. It just was. The waterfall offered an awesome opportunity to swim or wade. AND ROCKS!

    I’ve hiked a lot of places, but, something about the mountains in North Carolina is different. Like you’re not just watching water and rocks. You’re watching time. Energy. Release.

    The rocks at the base of Bridal Veil Falls

    There’s always something about that final moment when you stop moving and just look. That one view that makes your whole body quiet. It’s like the world steps back for you. Even just for a minute.

    Dry falls North Carolina

    And that’s what this day gave me. A minute. Three times over.

    I’ll remember the sound of each one differently. The feel of the mist. The angle of the rocks. The way I kept turning around just to see it again. I’ll remember the way the road twisted before the first fall came into view. How you never really know what it’s going to look like until you’re right up on it.

    That’s what I’m chasing in life.

    This was only just day 2 of my totally awesome vacation!

  • Sliding, Climbing, and Letting Go: Blue Ridge Journal – July 12, 2025

    Sliding, Climbing, and Letting Go: Blue Ridge Journal – July 12, 2025

    🥾 Hiking Journal – Saturday, July 12th, 2025

    looking glass falls WNC
    Looking glass falls

    Blue Ridge Parkway Mountains, NC (I wish I was able to just exist in the beauty I’ve seen here.)

    Weather: Mid-80s, humid, but who’s keeping track when there’s a waterfall involved?

    Companions: No Luna (she’s home with her mom), just me and my sister. Even though she did ditch me halfway up a watchtower like a lil traitor. Like the time we were younger with the beer. Sorry Jenna for blaming you until last year. 😂

    🌊 Looking Glass Falls: 10/10. It is perfect for the days you can’t imagine hiking to the spot. You want to cool off in such places.

    Jade (my sister) and I in front of Looking glass falls on the road

    So any way it is right off the road and somehow still feels like magic. Crowded as hell, yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

    I didn’t swim because there were too many humans. Honestly, with my shoulder and collarbone in the shape they are, I didn’t want to risk it. It looked like a lot of work was needed to swim there. I did get my feet wet and snapped some solid shots. The rock hounding opportunity here seems large. The colors are wild. It’s as if nature said “watch this” and actually did something cool. There’s a shit ton of mica in this area, so everything’s kissed with glitter. Though I do know this area in North Carolina is said to be a dream for rockhounds.

    Jade and I

    10/10 would recommend. Doesn’t even matter how packed it is, just go. If you’re close enough to do it. It is worth it because unlike Ohio here they allow you to swim at most the waterfalls it seems. Wherever you want pretty much, if there’s water, to enjoy as long as it’s not privately owned.

    🔥 Frying pan Mountain Lookout Tower

    Okay. First time ever getting to the top of a real fire tower. It is different from that half-a-tower in Ohio that was closed. Ariel Park’s little teaser one scared Luna when we went. I never quite made it back there too.

    This? This was the real deal. It moves like, sways-in-the-wind, “is this thing going to fall?” kind of moves. But I made it up. Alone.

    The hill up to frying pan fire tower

    Duck to get down, and under the door. While I try not to overthink the physics, and enjoy the view.

    My lovely sister turned back halfway. Claimed she “already did it once.” 🙄 Whatever.

    View: 10/10. Worth it, even if I had fallen to my dramatic death.

    the view from the top

    Also, note: my sister did admit she was scared. Said she’d already done it before and figured I should get my solo moment. Still, many eye rolls. 😒

    On the climb up, we found those weird blue rocks along the roadside, where the azurite vs. spray paint debate began. Whole day was giving side quests.

    And at the top?

    🛝 Sliding Rock

    Sister said it’s usually locked up, but it was opened inside today, and they were in there cleaning too. Kinda makes me wonder what they’re planning — I saw online that some towers get turned into Airbnbs or rentals. I would totally live in one if I didn’t have to take those same stairs every time.

    We did it. We slid. Three times.

    Sliding Rock Parking lot sign, brown, sign, green trees. Sign also warns of cold.

    She only came because I hadn’t been yet… then she was the one yelling “Again! Again!” like it was a carnival ride.

    If we’d had more than an hour ’til close? We’d probably still be there sliding right now.

    Water was straight-up glacial. Like Lake Superior-level cold. Maybe worse. Still fun.

    🪨 Bonus Rock Nerd Notes

    You can’t smoke on my sister’s apartment property (🙄), so I’ve been banished to the gravel area behind the lot. But turns out?

    Pretty gravel.

    Some quartz, definitely. Some mica sparkle everywhere. Found some wild black and orange specks. Discovered some blue rocks, too Google says azurite. I say: might be spray paint. Still picked it up. Some have coppery streaks, so… maybe? Either way, funny or cool. North Carolina gravel is mysterious and dramatic, just like I like it.

    🗺️ Coming Up

    Tomorrow: Chill day. Might sneak out for a few solo peeks 👀 Monday: Cummins Falls, TN finally! After that: more Blue Ridge wanderings, mica hunts, and sparkly rock sleuthing.

    Final Thoughts

    Mountain water: colder than my patience.

    Sliding Rock: better than a theme park.

    Fire towers: wobbly nightmares with perfect views.

    Sister: mildly traitorous, but redeemed herself on the slides.

    Mica: everywhere.

    Blue spray-paint rock: iconic regardless.

    This whole region? Vibes unmatched.

    Going up that tower felt exactly like climbing a sync point in Assassin’s Creed or one of those fire towers in Far Cry. My brain was glitching, but the view? Totally worth the XP boost.

    Also I did indeed do all this in Nike slides. My shoes were in the car, and I kept saying I need to switch them. Then forgetting again.

  • Run Forrest. Run! It’s Hot Outside!

    Run Forrest. Run! It’s Hot Outside!

    What is your favorite season of year? Why?

    Running through streams and over hills with Luna right beside me. She’s all energy and fur. It’s just pure, happy dog chaos. We wander from trail to trail. We chase lightning bugs as they flicker in the dusk. We laugh and pass blunts with friends. We jump off rocks and cliffs into the cool, refreshing water below, feeling the rush of summer all around us. Nights are for camping, sitting close to crackling fires, swapping stories under a sky full of stars. And yes lots of rock hounding, because you never know what treasures the earth might have waiting.

    This journal is for all those wild, messy, beautiful moments that make summer feel like magic.

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