Words from the Woods – Time to Leave

Sunday, September 20

Wow, that two weeks went by quickly.  Today I leave Cabin 16 and Catoctin Mountain Park.  

This morning as I reflect on the last two weeks here, I remember the people, creatures, and landscape that made the experience so meaningful.  Each morning the forest introduced me to someone or something new.  I met so many nice people at each of my programs and enjoyed sketching with them.  I also “met” creatures new to me and expanded my knowledge of the insect world.

I have loved learning the sights and sounds of Catoctin.  I was fortunate to learn more about the character of the area by hiking some of the trails.  The history of the area is fascinating and shows how even after the tolls of the local furnace and charcoal making, the land has re-emerged with healthy ecosystems.

Cabin 16, well what can I say?  I was privileged to stay in a place so wonderfully built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Work Progress Administration (WPA) in 1937 and later gave solace to soldiers from WWII.  I am thankful to be a part of her sheltering story, even for a short time.  She has served me well as studio, resting place, and Artist-in-Residence HQ.

Thank you to Ranger Peggie Gaul who coordinated my stay and programs, for her encouragement, support, and friendship.  Thank you to Rangers Austin, Gary, John, and Dave who put up with me when I wanted to ask about trees or animals or just chat.  My gratitude also to Barbara, the camp host, who brought me brownies, apple dumplings, and great conversation.

To Catoctin Forest Alliance, thank you for the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the rich history and nature of the area and encourage others to observe and record their thoughts about it.

Most importantly, thank you to my family who have always supported me in my ventures and adventures.  My husband, Clay, hiked the Camino de Santiago this summer and I had my personal journey in Catoctin.  Now we are off to hike together in Austria and the Czech Republic. This has been an exciting year, especially with the birth of our granddaughter, Quinn, who is already a hiker and lover of the outdoors.

Finally, thank you to those of you who were kind enough to read my posts about this fun episode in my life.  I will be posting photos of the journals that I worked on as I complete them, along with other journaling tips.