Trails Weekend Tefftweald

Most of my daily walks are done solo. It's not that I'm anti-social, it's just a matter of scheduling. Essentially, I hit the trail when the spirit moves me and I have time in what are, even in my so-called retirement, extremely busy and packed days, many of which are no different than having a full-time job.  Sometimes, however, I get to take a group in tow as a naturalist and guide, and so it was this morning, when I led 17 hardy and inquisitive folks on a trek through Avalonia's Tefftweald at Birchenturn Preserve for National Trails Weekend. It's my third year of guiding for that event, and, with the exception of the fact that I wound up with the usual ticks, I think everyone had a great time, including the juice and cookies at the end. There was an impressive hatch of fishflies, lots of calling warblers, a swarm of dragonflies, and the discovery of one of the biggest Tulip Trees I've ever seen. I really should have company out there more often.