"While the rest of the U.S. was focused on the eclipse high above, I was focusing on the small blooms along the floor of the Chattahoochee National Forest on the way to Nimblewill Creek and Peak 1968 ft." — davidensley • Apr 8, 2024

"Daffodils have been blooming and trees budding along the roads for several days, but no signs of the Spring season in the forest, though the spring-fed creek to Nimblewill Creek is flowing well. First time completing the eastern loop to Peak 1968 ft without bushwhacking. Too warm for bushwhacking anyway as this morning’s high 20s warmed quickly to high 50s this afternoon. P.S. I forgot to mention the armadillo rooting by the trail on Peak 1968 ft." — davidensley • Feb 25, 2024

"Solo peak and creek to test my cold weather hiking gear. Started 10 degrees F and finished 15 degrees F. Only my toes and fingers felt cold. I wore my usual hiking boots and socks, added thermal underwear top and bottom to my usual underwear top and bottom, my thickest long pants and long sleeve shirt, chaps, a denim long sleeve shirt, my usual hiking vest, hooded jacket, hooded windbreaker, hooded winter coat, my usual safety vest, scarf, ski mask, safety sunglasses, my usual brimmed cap, petroleum jelly lip balm, hand cream, gloves and mittens. During the hike I removed the sunglasses because they were fogging up, there was no wind in my eyes, and the cap brim was a sufficient sun shield. I also removed the gloves because my fingers were warmer together in the mittens than separate in the gloves under the mittens. Rhododendron leaves were curled for protection against the cold. I found the spring that heads the little tributary feeding Nimblewill Creek; it is near the trail going up Peak 1968 ft in the corner between the old logging roads. Some ice but flowing water was not frozen." — davidensley • Jan 17, 2024

"While resting atop Peak 1968 ft, I received a message asking how I feel. My reply was “Like I am on top of a mountain, because I am right now.” It’s a thrill to ascend the hill, but it’s the peak I always seek." — davidensley • Oct 1, 2023

"Early fall color on Peak 1968 ft. Recovering from illness, I drove an off-road vehicle until a passage between a tree and the opposite bank was too narrow, then I took my time climbing to the peak. Forgot to stop recording GPS when I got back to the vehicle." — davidensley • Sep 30, 2023

"Solo hike to Peak 1968 ft. Spiders are getting big. They have been spinning webs for two months over the trails, and they build back overnight. Hike slowly and meet them suddenly face to face. Hike swiftly and they are on your face before you know it." — davidensley • Sep 2, 2023

"The effects of summer are evident in the low creeks and the flowers past their peaks. Taking advantage of the rain-cooled atmosphere, hiked with Gina to Nimblewill Creek where she fed the fish. I summited Peak 1968 ft alone on the return. Cleared many small limbs from the trails except for some new step-overs." — davidensley • Aug 12, 2023

"Gina and Andrew did an out-and-back to Nimblewill Creek, and I summited Peak 1968 ft alone on the way back. I did a little extra back and forth checking on various things. The creek is the lowest I have seen it. The orchids are still thriving, and I found a new one. The chicken of the woods is not as bright as it was." — davidensley • Aug 2, 2023

"Biggest and brightest shelf mushrooms I’ve ever seen on the side of Peak 1968 ft. The bloom of the orchid nearby has been eaten, but all the other orchids continue to bloom, and I found a new one blooming on the side of Peak 2040 ft. No more rhododendron blossoms here." — davidensley • Jul 21, 2023

"Morning hike to minimize the heat, but no escaping the humidity! Wild orchids are beginning to bloom! Found two more. First trillium I found in the Chattahoochee National Forest is all but gone. Peak 1968 ft then Nimblewill Creek where Gina fed the fish (but she did not go to the peak)." — davidensley • Jul 7, 2023