WORD FROM CORD - July/Aug. 2000 A SIGN WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE: No motorized vehicles No hunting No horseback riding No hiking This summer has been one of the coolest on record for the eastern U.S.. Rainfall has been steady for the year and is actually above normal to date, stopping a streak of years of drought. Plants and animals have benefited from the extra rain and cool weather and they have their defenses primed and ready for battle. Poison Ivy is abundant, thick and very poisonous. Watch out for the three shiny leaves and stay away. Pets can transfer the oily poisonous substance from plant to you so be careful if you have pets. Yellow Jackets can sting you without notice. Chances are you will not see their nest because often it is just a small hole in the ground. They will sting if you block their nest or interfere with their food gathering. Common Kingsnakes and Rat Snakes (both black in color) have been encountered recently during trail rides, but thankfully they are constrictors and are harmless to humans. Timber Rattlesnakes (yellow to brown in color), however, are extremely poisonous and must be given a wide berth when seen or heard. Mountain biking in the lowlands has been curtailed slightly because of the wet trail conditions but higher elevation trails are OK to ride. Now is the time to visit local produce stands to enjoy lots of fresh grown corn, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers while the trails dry out. Stay healthy….and….. keep on riding. |
