Winter 2022 Newsletter
From the President: 2022 and Beyond
The Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) has an extremely capable staff in part-time Education and Outreach Coordinator Lacey Dean and Executive Director Mark Miller. We also have a great deal of work on our plate. The big kahuna is the 93,000-acre Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area (we call it “Wilderness Light”), with four embedded Wilderness Areas in Augusta and Rockingham counties. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have introduced legislation in Congress designating this area. They have also introduced the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act, adding about 5,000 acres to Wilderness Areas in Allegheny and Bath counties. Currently, we are the only state in the east with two Wilderness bills before Congress.
The VWC is working with the Monacan Indian Nation to create a National Register of Historic Places rural historic district to protect interwoven private and National Forest land in Rockbridge and Amherst counties. We are also working with the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to commemorate African American participation in the Civilian Conservation Corps through historical markers. We are purchasing mineral rights that underlay a potential Wilderness Area in Rockingham County (one down and another to go) and have been invited by a partner organization to help purchase two inholdings on the Forest in Rockbridge. Additionally, we are actively exploring federal lands in the Great Dismal Swamp and on the Eastern Shore for Wilderness designation opportunities.
In recent and other exciting news, friends in Shenandoah County have invited us to consider National Scenic Area designation for the Big Schloss area of that county, an idea we tried to get into the Forest Plan some years ago.
In short, our cup runneth over.
There is a problem to be solved, however. Executive Director Mark Miller is at the age that he is threatening to retire to half time next summer, and Dean cannot step into the job. We thus need to hire Miller’s replacement soon, so he can work with the new person to impart his vast (no kidding) knowledge of the National Forest and federal legislation.
To do that and complete all of our projects, we need a substantially bigger budget, which will require renewed commitment from the Board of Directors and membership. Thank you for all you have done to create and sustain this small but mighty organization, one of Virginia’s oldest conservation groups. Please consider making a more substantial gift to your organization to help sustain and grow it into the future.
Sincerely,
John D. Hutchinson V, VWC President
The Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) has an extremely capable staff in part-time Education and Outreach Coordinator Lacey Dean and Executive Director Mark Miller. We also have a great deal of work on our plate. The big kahuna is the 93,000-acre Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area (we call it “Wilderness Light”), with four embedded Wilderness Areas in Augusta and Rockingham counties. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner have introduced legislation in Congress designating this area. They have also introduced the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act, adding about 5,000 acres to Wilderness Areas in Allegheny and Bath counties. Currently, we are the only state in the east with two Wilderness bills before Congress.
The VWC is working with the Monacan Indian Nation to create a National Register of Historic Places rural historic district to protect interwoven private and National Forest land in Rockbridge and Amherst counties. We are also working with the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to commemorate African American participation in the Civilian Conservation Corps through historical markers. We are purchasing mineral rights that underlay a potential Wilderness Area in Rockingham County (one down and another to go) and have been invited by a partner organization to help purchase two inholdings on the Forest in Rockbridge. Additionally, we are actively exploring federal lands in the Great Dismal Swamp and on the Eastern Shore for Wilderness designation opportunities.
In recent and other exciting news, friends in Shenandoah County have invited us to consider National Scenic Area designation for the Big Schloss area of that county, an idea we tried to get into the Forest Plan some years ago.
In short, our cup runneth over.
There is a problem to be solved, however. Executive Director Mark Miller is at the age that he is threatening to retire to half time next summer, and Dean cannot step into the job. We thus need to hire Miller’s replacement soon, so he can work with the new person to impart his vast (no kidding) knowledge of the National Forest and federal legislation.
To do that and complete all of our projects, we need a substantially bigger budget, which will require renewed commitment from the Board of Directors and membership. Thank you for all you have done to create and sustain this small but mighty organization, one of Virginia’s oldest conservation groups. Please consider making a more substantial gift to your organization to help sustain and grow it into the future.
Sincerely,
John D. Hutchinson V, VWC President
SMNSA by The PEW Charitable Trust
Two Bills in Congress
As we have reported, the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) has two bills that have been introduced in Congress. The Virginia Wilderness Addition Act increases the size of the Rich Hole Wilderness and the Rough Mountain Wilderness. When the addition bill passes, these two Wilderness areas, separated by a railroad track, will create a nearly contiguous wilderness block of over 21,000 acres. In the last Congress, the Additions Act passed the Senate, but no action was taken in the House. When Congress reconvened in 2020, the Additions Act was reintroduced in the Senate where it is still awaiting action. On the House side, the Additions Act was included in a lands bill that passed the House but is still awaiting action in the Senate. This bill has now made its way through both the House and the Senate, but because it happened in two different congresses, it cannot be signed into law—a frustrating technicality.
The Shenandoah Mountain Act of 2022 was introduced earlier this year by Senator Kaine. The bill is cosponsored by Senator Warner. The Act would create the largest National Scenic Area in the eastern United States, increase the size of the existing Ramseys Draft Wilderness, and create three new Wilderness areas. Thus far there has been no action on this bill.
At VWC, hope springs eternal. We expect to see a flurry of activity during the lame duck session of Congress and hope to see action before the end of December when at least one of our bills will be signed into law.
As we have reported, the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) has two bills that have been introduced in Congress. The Virginia Wilderness Addition Act increases the size of the Rich Hole Wilderness and the Rough Mountain Wilderness. When the addition bill passes, these two Wilderness areas, separated by a railroad track, will create a nearly contiguous wilderness block of over 21,000 acres. In the last Congress, the Additions Act passed the Senate, but no action was taken in the House. When Congress reconvened in 2020, the Additions Act was reintroduced in the Senate where it is still awaiting action. On the House side, the Additions Act was included in a lands bill that passed the House but is still awaiting action in the Senate. This bill has now made its way through both the House and the Senate, but because it happened in two different congresses, it cannot be signed into law—a frustrating technicality.
The Shenandoah Mountain Act of 2022 was introduced earlier this year by Senator Kaine. The bill is cosponsored by Senator Warner. The Act would create the largest National Scenic Area in the eastern United States, increase the size of the existing Ramseys Draft Wilderness, and create three new Wilderness areas. Thus far there has been no action on this bill.
At VWC, hope springs eternal. We expect to see a flurry of activity during the lame duck session of Congress and hope to see action before the end of December when at least one of our bills will be signed into law.
Phineas Kasten on Feedstone Mountain
Virginia Mountain Treasures
In the late 1990s, the Wilderness Society created a series of publications called Mountain Treasures. The publications were designed to draw attention to areas in the southeast which should be considered for additional protection. These publications corresponded with forest planning processes that were taking place on the southeastern forests.
Their first report in Virginia was Virginia’s Mountain Treasures: The Unprotected Wildlands of the Jefferson National Forest. This report was published in May 1991 and documented over fifty areas that The Wilderness Society deemed appropriate for additional protection during the Jefferson National Forest planning process. Building off this report, the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) with support from other forest organizations in Virginia and the southeast pursued a Wilderness bill on the Jefferson National Forest. The Ridge and Valley Act, which passed in 2009 as a part of the Omnibus Land Bill signed into law by President Barak Obama, was the direct result of the Virginia Mountain Treasures for the Jefferson National Forest.
The VWC has embarked on updating this report by conducting a review of the areas that were identified in the original publication. As we move forward with the project, our work will be available online. The first cluster can be found on this link: www.vawilderness.org/blue-ridge-cluster-overview.html. We plan on continuing to update the Jefferson Mountain Treasures over the remainder of this year and into next year; we plan to complete the review by June 2023.
When the George Washington National Forest began its planning process, VWC worked for two years to publish the Virginia’s Mountain Treasures: the Unprotected Wildlands of the George Washington National Forest (GWNF). The report documented sixty-three areas on the GWNF we felt should be considered by forest planners for additional protection. Building on this report, VWC has been able to rally support for the introduction of two bills in Congress: The Virginia Wilderness Additions Act and the Shenandoah Mountain Act of 2022.
Last year Phineas Kasten, a high school student attending the Massanutten Regional Governor’s School in Mount Jackson, inquired about a project he might be able to pursue in environmental science. Phineas is now creating Story Maps for VWC. His Story Maps are centered around the GWNF Mountain Treasures. We will begin to upload Phineas’ maps to our website early next year.
In the late 1990s, the Wilderness Society created a series of publications called Mountain Treasures. The publications were designed to draw attention to areas in the southeast which should be considered for additional protection. These publications corresponded with forest planning processes that were taking place on the southeastern forests.
Their first report in Virginia was Virginia’s Mountain Treasures: The Unprotected Wildlands of the Jefferson National Forest. This report was published in May 1991 and documented over fifty areas that The Wilderness Society deemed appropriate for additional protection during the Jefferson National Forest planning process. Building off this report, the Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) with support from other forest organizations in Virginia and the southeast pursued a Wilderness bill on the Jefferson National Forest. The Ridge and Valley Act, which passed in 2009 as a part of the Omnibus Land Bill signed into law by President Barak Obama, was the direct result of the Virginia Mountain Treasures for the Jefferson National Forest.
The VWC has embarked on updating this report by conducting a review of the areas that were identified in the original publication. As we move forward with the project, our work will be available online. The first cluster can be found on this link: www.vawilderness.org/blue-ridge-cluster-overview.html. We plan on continuing to update the Jefferson Mountain Treasures over the remainder of this year and into next year; we plan to complete the review by June 2023.
When the George Washington National Forest began its planning process, VWC worked for two years to publish the Virginia’s Mountain Treasures: the Unprotected Wildlands of the George Washington National Forest (GWNF). The report documented sixty-three areas on the GWNF we felt should be considered by forest planners for additional protection. Building on this report, VWC has been able to rally support for the introduction of two bills in Congress: The Virginia Wilderness Additions Act and the Shenandoah Mountain Act of 2022.
Last year Phineas Kasten, a high school student attending the Massanutten Regional Governor’s School in Mount Jackson, inquired about a project he might be able to pursue in environmental science. Phineas is now creating Story Maps for VWC. His Story Maps are centered around the GWNF Mountain Treasures. We will begin to upload Phineas’ maps to our website early next year.
Sally Zaragoza by a chimney from an officer’s cabin at Camp Rattlesnake
Camp Rattlesnake – African American CCC Camp in Augusta County
As an outdoor enthusiast, you have likely spent time on or near some of the natural resource treasures that are the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). More than 700 new state parks were established through the CCC program; Great Smoky National Park was built almost entirely by CCC labor, and in Shenandoah National Park, there were 12 CCC camps that constructed and landscaped many of the areas and overlooks around Skyline Drive. In its nine years' existence, the CCC put nearly 3 million men to work. They built approximately 125,000 miles of roads, constructed 46,854 bridges, more than 3,000 lookout fire towers, and 318,076 check dams for erosion control. They spent more than 8 million hours fighting fires, planted upwards of 3 billion trees, strung about 89,000 miles of telephone wire, and implemented 33,087 miles of terraces for farming and thousands of miles of trails. Most of this work occurred on national forests and in national, state, and local parks.
The CCC was established in March of 1933, by President Franklin Roosevelt shortly after taking office as part of his First 100 Days legislation. The goal was two-fold: conservation of our natural resources and the salvage of young men during the Great Depression. The CCC is recognized as one of the greatest conservation programs in America, and it served as a catalyst to develop the tenets of modern conservation.
Qualifying CCC candidates needed to be single males between the ages of 18 and 25 (the age range was later expanded between 17 and 28). Beyond that, they just had to be in good health and in need of a job. The men had to agree to a minimum of a six-month term of service that focused on vigorous and disciplined outdoor labor. The CCC provided uniforms, shelter, three meals a day, and training. The men were paid $30/month, $25 of which they were required to send directly home to their parents.
By July of 1933, more than 250,000 young men were set up in 1,300 camps. Eventually there would be camps in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. At the peak strength of the CCC, reached in August 1935, there were 506,000 young men and war veterans enrolled. Of this number, approximately 50,000 were African American. Despite an amendment outlawing racial discrimination in the CCC, young African American enrollees lived and worked in separate camps. In Virginia, there were a total of sixty-four camps. On the North River district of the George Washington National Forest, there were four camps, one of which, Camp Goshen (F-11), also known as Camp Rattlesnake, housed the African American CCC Company 1334. It was located in Augusta County, about eight miles south of the small town of Deerfield. CCC Company 1334 was comprised of 184 men from Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Some of the accomplishments of the men from Camp Rattlesnake included fighting forest fires, construction of Clayton Mill Creek Road and Hite Hollow Road, construction of a trail on Mill Mountain between the lookout and Panther Gap, and improving the camp. Elizabeth Furnace Campground, which is located southeast of Strasburg, is the larger of the two campgrounds built by Company 1334. They also were involved in timber stand improvement, roadside cleanup, bridge construction, and seed collection.
For recreation, the men played baseball, basketball, football, boxed, had a quartet, played the piano, and read books. Local ministers were involved with religious services in the camp and an educational advisor established a vocational program of study for the enrollees which included cooking, plumbing, typing, writing, talk, health, debating, first aid, carpentry, and auto mechanics. Classes were provided five days a week.
There was even a camp newspaper, The Tattler, which was a monthly paper that ran from June 1935 to September 1935. The newspapers included information about their work accomplishments, classes offered, enrollees leaving and entering the company, sports, and jokes. The newspapers contained several lighthearted columns including a column entitled “Mr. ‘X’ Says” that focused on gossip about enrollees and the women they fancied.
At one point before 1935, there were forty-five white men enrolled at the camp. The integration of Camp Rattlesnake is particularly interesting because integrated camps usually consisted of a strong majority of white men with just a small number of African American men. Camp Rattlesnake was the opposite with more African American enrollees.
Camp Rattlesnake closed its doors on October 10, 1935. At the time, there were 200 enrollees in the camp. Evidence of the camp remains today, including a couple of chimneys, stone walkways, and the location of bathrooms. VWC staff and board members had the opportunity to visit the remains of Camp Rattlesnake with Sally Zaragoza this past June. Sally was an archaeologist with the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (GWJNF) and researched Civilian Conservation Corps Camps on the National Forest. Most of the information gathered here on Camp Rattlesnake is from her work. VWC recognizes the importance of acknowledging these men and the work they accomplished on the GWJNF. It is with that intention that we have begun the work of researching and applying for the dedication of historical markers for Camp Rattlesnake and other African American CCC camps on the forest and approaching other interested parties to move this project forward.
As an outdoor enthusiast, you have likely spent time on or near some of the natural resource treasures that are the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). More than 700 new state parks were established through the CCC program; Great Smoky National Park was built almost entirely by CCC labor, and in Shenandoah National Park, there were 12 CCC camps that constructed and landscaped many of the areas and overlooks around Skyline Drive. In its nine years' existence, the CCC put nearly 3 million men to work. They built approximately 125,000 miles of roads, constructed 46,854 bridges, more than 3,000 lookout fire towers, and 318,076 check dams for erosion control. They spent more than 8 million hours fighting fires, planted upwards of 3 billion trees, strung about 89,000 miles of telephone wire, and implemented 33,087 miles of terraces for farming and thousands of miles of trails. Most of this work occurred on national forests and in national, state, and local parks.
The CCC was established in March of 1933, by President Franklin Roosevelt shortly after taking office as part of his First 100 Days legislation. The goal was two-fold: conservation of our natural resources and the salvage of young men during the Great Depression. The CCC is recognized as one of the greatest conservation programs in America, and it served as a catalyst to develop the tenets of modern conservation.
Qualifying CCC candidates needed to be single males between the ages of 18 and 25 (the age range was later expanded between 17 and 28). Beyond that, they just had to be in good health and in need of a job. The men had to agree to a minimum of a six-month term of service that focused on vigorous and disciplined outdoor labor. The CCC provided uniforms, shelter, three meals a day, and training. The men were paid $30/month, $25 of which they were required to send directly home to their parents.
By July of 1933, more than 250,000 young men were set up in 1,300 camps. Eventually there would be camps in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. At the peak strength of the CCC, reached in August 1935, there were 506,000 young men and war veterans enrolled. Of this number, approximately 50,000 were African American. Despite an amendment outlawing racial discrimination in the CCC, young African American enrollees lived and worked in separate camps. In Virginia, there were a total of sixty-four camps. On the North River district of the George Washington National Forest, there were four camps, one of which, Camp Goshen (F-11), also known as Camp Rattlesnake, housed the African American CCC Company 1334. It was located in Augusta County, about eight miles south of the small town of Deerfield. CCC Company 1334 was comprised of 184 men from Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
Some of the accomplishments of the men from Camp Rattlesnake included fighting forest fires, construction of Clayton Mill Creek Road and Hite Hollow Road, construction of a trail on Mill Mountain between the lookout and Panther Gap, and improving the camp. Elizabeth Furnace Campground, which is located southeast of Strasburg, is the larger of the two campgrounds built by Company 1334. They also were involved in timber stand improvement, roadside cleanup, bridge construction, and seed collection.
For recreation, the men played baseball, basketball, football, boxed, had a quartet, played the piano, and read books. Local ministers were involved with religious services in the camp and an educational advisor established a vocational program of study for the enrollees which included cooking, plumbing, typing, writing, talk, health, debating, first aid, carpentry, and auto mechanics. Classes were provided five days a week.
There was even a camp newspaper, The Tattler, which was a monthly paper that ran from June 1935 to September 1935. The newspapers included information about their work accomplishments, classes offered, enrollees leaving and entering the company, sports, and jokes. The newspapers contained several lighthearted columns including a column entitled “Mr. ‘X’ Says” that focused on gossip about enrollees and the women they fancied.
At one point before 1935, there were forty-five white men enrolled at the camp. The integration of Camp Rattlesnake is particularly interesting because integrated camps usually consisted of a strong majority of white men with just a small number of African American men. Camp Rattlesnake was the opposite with more African American enrollees.
Camp Rattlesnake closed its doors on October 10, 1935. At the time, there were 200 enrollees in the camp. Evidence of the camp remains today, including a couple of chimneys, stone walkways, and the location of bathrooms. VWC staff and board members had the opportunity to visit the remains of Camp Rattlesnake with Sally Zaragoza this past June. Sally was an archaeologist with the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (GWJNF) and researched Civilian Conservation Corps Camps on the National Forest. Most of the information gathered here on Camp Rattlesnake is from her work. VWC recognizes the importance of acknowledging these men and the work they accomplished on the GWJNF. It is with that intention that we have begun the work of researching and applying for the dedication of historical markers for Camp Rattlesnake and other African American CCC camps on the forest and approaching other interested parties to move this project forward.
Annual Meeting 2022
In mid-August, members of VWC gathered at Braley Pond for our Annual Meeting. We discussed current projects of purchasing mineral rights, designating rural historic areas, strategizing for new recreation plans, identifying mountain treasures, and initiating historical markers. We also celebrated the two bills which are currently in congress awaiting traction. Most importantly, for the coming year, the Nomination Committee again presented John Hutchinson as president, Steve Johnson as vice president, Ron Stoltzfus as treasurer, and Tom Engle as secretary. VWC members unanimously approved the Committee’s slate of nominations. We all expressed appreciation to these officers for their continued service and are thankful to be guided by this great group of Wilderness-loving folks.
In mid-August, members of VWC gathered at Braley Pond for our Annual Meeting. We discussed current projects of purchasing mineral rights, designating rural historic areas, strategizing for new recreation plans, identifying mountain treasures, and initiating historical markers. We also celebrated the two bills which are currently in congress awaiting traction. Most importantly, for the coming year, the Nomination Committee again presented John Hutchinson as president, Steve Johnson as vice president, Ron Stoltzfus as treasurer, and Tom Engle as secretary. VWC members unanimously approved the Committee’s slate of nominations. We all expressed appreciation to these officers for their continued service and are thankful to be guided by this great group of Wilderness-loving folks.
Virginia Native Plant Society Annual Fundraiser
We are delighted to announce that the Virginia Native Plant Society has selected as its annual fundraiser the work we are doing to purchase the mineral rights under proposed Wilderness within the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area. We think permanently protecting these special places as Wilderness is important and to do so it is necessary for us to obtain the mineral rights. We have had success in acquiring the mineral rights on one of the tracts but need help to continue identifying mineral rights ownership and to purchase the rights of the remaining tracts that have been identified underneath proposed Wilderness. Please support this worthy cause by donating to the Virginia Native Plant Society’s annual fundraiser today! Go to vnps.org/vwcfund.
We are delighted to announce that the Virginia Native Plant Society has selected as its annual fundraiser the work we are doing to purchase the mineral rights under proposed Wilderness within the Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area. We think permanently protecting these special places as Wilderness is important and to do so it is necessary for us to obtain the mineral rights. We have had success in acquiring the mineral rights on one of the tracts but need help to continue identifying mineral rights ownership and to purchase the rights of the remaining tracts that have been identified underneath proposed Wilderness. Please support this worthy cause by donating to the Virginia Native Plant Society’s annual fundraiser today! Go to vnps.org/vwcfund.
Cow Knob Salamander
Night Hike on Shenandoah Mountain
One Saturday night in October, Billy Flint, a James Madison University amphibian ecology and conservation researcher, led Lacey Dean, VWC Education and Outreach Coordinator, Lynn Cameron, a VWC Board member, and a dozen Virginia master naturalists on a night hike along the Shenandoah Mountain Trail near High Knob fire tower in Rockingham County. Our objective was to find the two salamanders that live on Shenandoah Mountain, the Cow Knob salamander (Plethodon punctatus) and the Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon virginia).
The Cow Knob’s range is limited to north facing slopes on Shenandoah and Great North mountains in Virginia and West Virginia at elevations above 3,000 feet in mature hardwood forests. A 1994 Conservation Agreement between the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protects this species and its habitat. It is this species and this agreement that forced a rerouting of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which had originally been proposed to go straight through the middle of this protected habitat.
Unfortunately, October was a dry month and the evening was windy, neither of which is an ideal condition for salamander hunting. However, Billy has been studying salamanders on Shenandoah Mountain for the past 20 years, so knew all the best places to look. He successfully discovered a small Cow Knob hiding in the leaf litter. He did not find a Shenandoah salamander, but quite surprisingly, Billy uncovered a Four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) under a dead log. This salamander enjoys a much more extensive range across the eastern half of the United States and prefers the proximity of vernal ponds so was usually located up on the mountain.
Getting out in the woods at night is always an adventure; even your favorite trail can look like a completely different place as soon as darkness falls. Heading out with an expert, however, truly brings the woods alive. Thanks again, Billy, for the experience.
One Saturday night in October, Billy Flint, a James Madison University amphibian ecology and conservation researcher, led Lacey Dean, VWC Education and Outreach Coordinator, Lynn Cameron, a VWC Board member, and a dozen Virginia master naturalists on a night hike along the Shenandoah Mountain Trail near High Knob fire tower in Rockingham County. Our objective was to find the two salamanders that live on Shenandoah Mountain, the Cow Knob salamander (Plethodon punctatus) and the Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon virginia).
The Cow Knob’s range is limited to north facing slopes on Shenandoah and Great North mountains in Virginia and West Virginia at elevations above 3,000 feet in mature hardwood forests. A 1994 Conservation Agreement between the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protects this species and its habitat. It is this species and this agreement that forced a rerouting of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which had originally been proposed to go straight through the middle of this protected habitat.
Unfortunately, October was a dry month and the evening was windy, neither of which is an ideal condition for salamander hunting. However, Billy has been studying salamanders on Shenandoah Mountain for the past 20 years, so knew all the best places to look. He successfully discovered a small Cow Knob hiding in the leaf litter. He did not find a Shenandoah salamander, but quite surprisingly, Billy uncovered a Four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) under a dead log. This salamander enjoys a much more extensive range across the eastern half of the United States and prefers the proximity of vernal ponds so was usually located up on the mountain.
Getting out in the woods at night is always an adventure; even your favorite trail can look like a completely different place as soon as darkness falls. Heading out with an expert, however, truly brings the woods alive. Thanks again, Billy, for the experience.