savage gulf

i knew i forgot something when writing that recent 'catch up' post: our trip down to savage gulf. it's not KY, mind you [one state south, in TN - actually pretty near the GA border], but definitely was a significant part of our june adventures.

[to be honest, june was filled with a lot of out-of-state travel for work and other reasons, and not much local adventure until the end, which accounts for the gaping holes in KY adventure-land].

anyway, back to savage gulf: it was a 2-day tree-coring expedition for us and two others to get some eastern hemlock sample's for one of N's colleagues up north. and expedition it was: in addition to the 90+ degree heat, our ankles had to contend with steep slopes and lots of rocks. savage, no doubt. we spent the two days coring ~30 trees [one of these days i'll request a guest post on tree coring for those of you who keep asking about it], braving copperhead snakes, a torrential downpour, the aforementioned rocks, and lots and lots of rhododendron. here are a couple of pics [thanks to the resident photographer]:

i have to say, it was quite the introduction to this tree-coring field work thing. definitely a good workout [my puny little triceps really weren't much of a help, i don't think] and a lot of fun besides, although completely exhausting.

would i do it again? in a heartbeat. though i wouldn't mind a more level field to work in...literally.