Mike Breiding's Epic Road Trips:

Oglebay Mountain Camp At Terra Alta
Reports For 1976 - 1977 - 1978 - 1979

I came across this Oglebay Mountain Camp report recently while engaged in volunteer work at the WVU Herbarium. How did it end up in such a place? As some of you may remember, Betty "Libby" Bartholomew was in charge of the Herbarium for over 40 years.
Betty was also the Botany Instructor at both Oglebay Junior Nature Camp in Wheeling WV and Mountain Camp at Terra Alta WV.

20 years ago, when the herbarium was moved from Brooks Hall to the new Life Sciences Campus there were an number of boxes which remained unexplored and unpacked. It was in one of these boxes I came across this report. It was serendipitous - I was taking notes on the fern specimens I was examining and the surface I was writing on was rough and made legible writing difficult. I reached up to a box on a shelf and pulled out the first booklet I set my hand on thinking it would provide a better writing surface. It did. It was not until a bit later I turned the booklet over and saw what I had found.
Imagine my surprise.

Those years in the late 70s were wonderful times at Mountain Camp, and it was there, in 1980, I met my bride to be - Betsy Beal. As of this writing we have been married 41 years.

Reading this report has been fun, interesting and bitter sweet. Many of those mentioned in this report are no longer with us.
And, as Forest Buchanan mentions in his essay below:
"This observation brings me to tears and I feel it is time to end this letter. These campers and many more are jewels in my memory."

And so it goes...

Many thanks to Donna Ford-Werntz, Curator of the WVU Herbarium for the loan of the report and for the page scan PDF version below.
Thanks also to Betsy Beal Breiding for helping me proof this web page and countless others.

In addition to webulizing the original printed copy I have also produce an eBook and a PDF version.
Those files can be downloaded here along with the PDF of the image scans:
Download eBook
Download PDF
Download Image Scans

Submitted by
~ Mike Breiding

 

CONTRIBUTORS

Billie Altemus, Don Altemus, Dot Broemson, Glenn Peterjohn, Forest Buchanan, Joni Wheeler, Lois McGary, Jo Hrabley, Fran Kiselica, Annette Talbott Jay Good, Jim Hamilton, Catherine Andreyev, Bob Doherty, Donna Doherty, John Kulp, Michael Arabia, Kit Sanders, Hugh Zernickow, David Hohman, Dottie Sanders, Ellen Snyder, Paul D. Harwood, Ed Thiery, Marge Dawes, Maureen Steiner, Pat Bartolo

FOREWORD

The Oglebay Institute Mountain Nature Camp began in 1928. It was first held in Wheeling,West Virginia, at Waddington Farm before the park was called Oglebay. The campers had their meals in the beautiful oval dining room in the mansion, and often held their campfires in the clubhouse. Then in 1929, after a short encampment at Oglebay, a mountain camp was held at Terra Alta, West Virginia, on a site beside Lake Terra Alta. This camp, one of the first of its kind in the country, celebrated its fiftieth year in 1978, and it's half century of camping at Terra Alta in 1979.

During these fifty years it has been the custom to publish a report describing the camp's activities and accomplishments. The quality, length and content of the reports have varied greatly. Some remain as valuable data on the flora and fauna of the Preston County area. For a number of years no report has been published.

In an attempt to revive the practice, we are publishing this booklet which will give you some picture of the past four Mountain Camps, 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979. It is in no way a scientific report, but merely an anthology of campers' notes and records.

In 1976 camp was held from June 19 to July 3. The first week was for persons over eighteen years of age. The second week was specifically a high school camp. After 1976 we decided not to divide the camp this way but to hold a two-week camp for all persons over 17. Our Junior Nature Camp, held in Wheeling, would fill the role for students younger than 17.

The 1977 camp was held from June 18 to July 2. The 1978 camp from June 17 to July 1, and the 1979 camp from June 16 to June 30.

The material in this report does not cover anyone year completely, but has some material from each, as well as a special essay and some poems written by Junior Campers.

Billie Altemus
Camp Director
Terra Alta Nature Camp

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In addition to our wonderful staff, both visiting and full time, we wish to acknowledge some people who were very important to the success of the 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979 camps.

Most important were those pre-campers led by Hughes Barnes, Michael Breiding, Bob Hostottle, Glen Phillips, Fred Temple and Jeff Altemus who helped get the camp ready for spring.

We were very fortunate to have several of Oglebay's past naturalists back with us during these four years: George Breiding with his advice and depth of knowledge, Hughes Barnes who helped us put the camp together and entertained us with his stories and nature facts, Colonel Carroll who came back and found things much the same, George Lippert, always a favorite naturalist, and of course, Forest Buchanan and Martha Darrah Kulp who were on our regular staff, as have been Dottie Sanders and Libby Bartholomew.

We want to thank the Terra Alta Rotary Club for its continued support and encouragement. We wish to express our gratitude to: Mr. and Mrs. Bud White, Harold Miller and the other lake neighbors who treat us so cordially, Mr. and Mrs. Duane Kelley, our caretakers, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Melcher for bringing their tepee and sharing their Indian lore, Reverend Wilhelm for lending us cots, "PW" Postlethwaite for doing innumerable things which made camp go smoothly, Nellie Wiles and Mary Fries, good friends who know how to cook, and David and Mary Ellen Hohman for our chandeliers and dinner gong.

Finally our appreciation goes to Bob Gingerich and Dorothy Broemsen of the Oglebay Institute Nature Department staff who put it all together.

OGLEBAY INSTITUTE MOUNTAIN CAMP STAFF

VISITING STAFF

The heart of what makes this camping experience so unique is the blending of different age levels and levels of education around a common interest of better understanding of natural history and of man who is a part of nature. No instructor stands aloof in his knowledge but communicates freely with a genuine concern for teaching so others can appreciate more deeply the natural world around them. As a college teacher, I find this attitude refreshing and the appreciation and receptiveness of most of the participants a real joy."

-- Dr. Glenn Peterjohn

CAMPFIRES

It is tradition at Terra Alta to end the day with a campfire beneath the four oaks. It is custom to gather quietly, to sit on the logs and listen to the chorus of Veeries. Some nights the Towhee joins in, accenting the flute tones. Finally darkness discourages the birds and Ishkatay, the fire builder, lights the fire. When it blazes up the singing begins. Now is the time to relax, draw in the threads of the day and make some sense about what we've been doing. It is time to listen to a special song, to join in a game or a skit and to discuss plans for the next day.

Who can forget:
The group that enacted "An Austrian Came Yodeling"?
The harmonious voices of Becky, Tricia and Barb?
Don telling the myth of the Hermit Thrush?
Martha singing "I'm A Devil" and Bob English one-uping her with "I'm A Villain"?
Howard Melcher's campfire with the spark for the fire made by rubbing sticks together and the beautiful reading of Hiawatha?
Forest telling about the Bear?
John Duktig and "Ba Dat and Chew", and "One Hen, Two Ducks"?
Martha Kulp's elderberry blossom fritters?
Bob Hostottle and Jon Altemus and "Dem Bones"?
Colonel Carroll and Alice joining us again and all the fossils reminiscing about the vintage year of 1947?

GREEN CATHEDRAL
Virginia Creeper, creeping
Up the base of tall oak tree
All over Green Cathedral--
The creeper I can see.

All around me, chirping
Birds both far and near
While here in Green Cathedral
The song birds I can hear.
Early in the morning
The mist is thick and real
All around in Green Cathedral
The greyness I can feel.

Touch-me-nots are popping
I lift one to my face
En route to Green Cathedral
Their freshness I can taste.

When I walk through the forest
And touch, taste, hear and see
I wonder if Green Cathedral
Will even notice me.
--- Lois McGary

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT OGLEBAY'S NATURE CAMP
by
Forest Buchanan

Oglebay's Terra Alta Camp is really a Nature Leaders' Training School. I feel that I have earned a right to this opinion as I believe I have served as a staff naturalist at this camp over a longer period than any other person. Since my first time there in 1947, I have missed only four summers, three of these due to deaths in my own family.

I can cite person after person who has been inspired at camp to continue in some form of nature study or outdoor work. Miss Louie Wilson went to Cornell University to study under Dr. Arthur A. Allen after her 1947 camp experience. In 1948 Gail Ash was inspired to go to college. He subsequently became a very fine naturalist, ornithologist and biology teacher. Bill Wylie is a noted professional naturalist, forester and professor of Wildlife Management at West Virginia University. Bill Barnes attended W.V.U. studying under Maurice Brooks and for four years has been a highly successful professional forester with the National Forest Service in Oregon. Martha Darrah Kulp, an early student at Oglebay with the great A. B. Brooks, has served as naturalist with the Washington County, Pennsylvania Park System, the Oglebay Junior Camp and the Terra Alta Camp. Robert McCausland, a long time Oglebay camper, now directs the Village Camps located in Switzerland. Dr. A. R. (Jay) Buckelew and Dr. Greg Eddy have served as directors of the Terra Alta camps and have grown in their capacity as naturalists while in service there. Don Altemus was a student of mine in 1947. Don became an Audubon warden in Florida and then Curator of the Kingman Museum of Natural History in Battle Creek, Michigan. He is now Resident Naturalist for the Cleveland Metropark Zoo. For years Don has served at the Oglebay camps whenever his busy schedule allowed. Billie Brasch Altemus was our song leader while a student at the Oglebay Camps. She later was on the staff of the National Audubon Camp of Connecticut in Greenwich. She was director of Circle Pines Center's summer camp in Michigan for eight years and now directs the Oglebay Institute Nature Camps.

With Billie and Don, as with quite a number of us, the Terra Alta camp is a way of life. As Don says, "It is like returning to the well" to be rejuvenated. Many of us love the T. A. experience. It goes far beyond the call of duty, and each summer is like returning to a first love, like the renewal of a religious experience; returning to the well.

In 1948 I brought Don Flenniken with me to T.A. Don became the finest all-round naturalist of any high school student I ever had, and the highest ranking mammalogist of our tri-state district. Don became a master biology teacher. He served for two summers teaching mammalogy at T. A. He was invaluable and his qualities as a master teacher showed up well. Don's younger brother, John Flenniken also served as an instructor at T.A. John became an expert on insects, especially Lepidoptera. He is now a biology teacher at Wintersville High School in Ohio.

Allison Cusick, another of my high school students, attended both Oglebay Nature Camps as a student and an instructor. He is one of the finest botanists I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He is now coordinator of the Ohio Biological Survey, under the Ohio Conservancy.

And now I must mention George Breiding! George attended the early Oglebay camps under A. B. Brooks and later became the Institute's Chief Naturalist. He is a highly trained and dedicated naturalist and was the genius of the mountain camp for thirteen years. He seems to be a veritable giant in his drive, his insight and his accomplishments. He has recently retired from his work at West Virginia University, where he did field work and organization in nature work over the entire state.

To those who know it, the Terra Alta Oglebay Nature Camp has been the ultimate "Outdoor University". It has continued for fifty years. I have mentioned but a few who have gained inspiration there to go ahead with one form or another of nature study. In recent years quite a few have acquired the inspiration arid know-how to be appointed to summer positions in state and national parks over the country. In this capacity there comes to mind Liz and Sarah Reeb, Claudia Altemus and Amy Keitzer. These along with others have done well indeed.

I must mention Louise Hoehl who attended the camps and later served so well on the Oglebay staff directing their school camping program. Rosella Schweitzer Majerczak and her sister Regina Lazear are both active in outdoor education in Wooster and Medina, Ohio.

Possibly even more important and wide-ranging in its ultimate effect than those who have gone ahead on a professional basis is the inspiration campers have received at the camp. To many it has been akin to a religious experience and their lives have been changed. New doors have been opened to the world around them and their lives have been enormously enriched. Even if for this reason alone, Terra Alta Camp deserves the name Nature Leaders' Training School. All these people pass on the knowledge and insights to their children and friends.

In this capacity I wish to mention the dean of all the T. A. campers, Judge John G. Worley of Cadiz, Ohio. The Judge, as we all affectionately called him, attended the very first camps under A. B. Brooks, and came to each subsequent camp until ill health forced him to quit only a few years ago. No one else has this record of continuous attendance. The Judge loved the camp and we all loved him. How can we ever forget his talks at the campfire and his moving rendition of The Veery, as the Veeries sang in the "Four Old Oaks" overhead. He was a most excellent naturalist and photographer, with all the qualities of a professional. But he was greatest in his love and inspiration to all of us. The Judge died in the spring of 1977. He has left an irreplaceable void in the Oglebay program.

This observation brings me to tears and I feel it is time to end this letter. These campers and many more are jewels in my memory.

---Forest Buchanan

SPECIAL REPORT FROM OGLEBAY JUNIOR NATURE CAMP 1977

When I was on the porch, I saw a nest of wrens. I don't know if there were any in there, though. I didn't look because I didn't want to disturb the nest. I also saw a phoebe nest which is on top of one of the lights right above the porch. You can tell the phoebe nest because it is made out of mud and grass. It also looks kind of messy whereas the wren's nest looks clean and neat. It was like some of the tents in our area. I also saw three Japanese beetles on top of one another. That was neat because I've seen that a lot but I don't know why they do it. Also, usually I see only two, so three was pretty spectacular. I saw some dandelions and before I came to Giscowheco I didn't know that they were really a whole bouquet. I saw a swallow fly past me. He swooped down on the grass and picked up a bug or something. I'm not sure what it was because I did not see it, but then it swooped back again so gracefully and then flew away. That was really neat. A tiger swallowtail flew right past me while I was sitting on a bench. It was pretty. There was also a cocoon on the side of the porch and the caterpillar was ready to come out in a few days, but the next day when I was looking for it to see how it was coming, I couldn't find it. I looked on the ground but I couldn't find it there either. I don't know whether it fell down and blew away, or the caterpillar got out or what. I wish I could have seen it come out because that would have been interesting. I saw a big sycamore tree right in front of the porch. On top of the flag pole there was a swallow. He was sitting there fanning himself. He looked like he would fall off any minute, but he just balanced there gracefully. I saw a spider web in the corner of the porch. It didn't have anything in it though. It might have been abandoned. Once I watched a spider building its web. First it found a place, and then it made a long silk line to the length that she wanted her web. Then she would make a shape kind of like a hexagon. I don't know if it had six sides but that is the shape, then she would spin the silk and keep making the hexagon smaller and smaller, like a decreasing square. Then when that was done she closed up into a ball. I was so mystified that I just stood there and stared. I didn't see that here but I wanted to add it because I think it really a spectacular thing. I wish we could have seen it here because I think everybody should be able to see something that neat. I saw some plantain which is also called rabbit ears. It was out in the front yard. A little ant crawled by the porch door, also. When I was walking on the porch I saw some knotweed which is also known as smartweed. That's about all I can remember, but I do know one thing, It was really worth looking.

---Joni Wheeler
4683 Harlem Road
Snyder New York 14226

NOTES FROM A JOURNAL KEPT AT TERRA ALTA HIGH SCHOOL NATURE CAMP 1976

by Fran Kiselica and Annette Talbott

Monday
We checked the mammal traps scattered in the woods. We caught a white-footed mouse. We walked through the woods identifying birds, plants and animals. After breakfast we all went to the spillway at Snowy Creek, and collected insects, reptiles and amphibians, also plants. In the afternoon we studied our specimens and discussed plants with Libby Bartholomew. When we were done with our walk through the creek, we all slide down the spillway and had a blast.

Tuesday
We started off on a walk led by Dr. Glenn Peterjohn.We spread some caramel glop on cardboard and hung them on trees to collect insects. We also collected insects with a net. Abe Rybeck ate a Japanese beetle and Jack Mumaw helped us identify some birds and animals. In the afternoon we went to Cranesville Swamp. We saw the sundew, cranberry and southern most tamarack trees. The bog was great and Ben pushed Annette into it. That night we directed the campfire. Forest told a Bear story and Becky played her guitar.

Wednesday
Wednesday We had a walk in the morning with Dr. Peterjohn. Then Jay took us on a tree survey and we found ground and canopy layers and the tallest tree. We saw the miser's old bread truck and heard the story of how "PW" had found him. In the afternoon we went with Martha on a bird walk and she taught us about the clock method of locating birds in trees and other birding basics.

Thursday
Today we went on a field trip, first to Cathedral State Park. We walked around listening to Forest while he identified flora and fauna and especially birds. Some people went on the seesaws and swings. Then we went on to Dolly Sods, passing a lot of beautiful scenery on the way, including the Canaan Valley. We drove up the dusty and straight road for a long time and ate lunch on the way up, but we finally reached the beaver pond and bog and the Loop Trail. We saw orange and yellow hawkweed, bleeding heart and some different kinds of thistle. Then we stopped at the camping ground called Red Creek. Annette saw her parents and stole some food. Then we went farther down the road to Bear Rocks. It was very windy. Billie was worried that someone would falloff but nobody did. There was a northern bush honeysuckle there. On the way down Forest found some stiff club moss. Then we went to Blackwater Falls. Some people went to the trading post and others went down to see the falls.

Friday
In the morning our group went up to the spillway again and we played Forest's nature games. He picked plants on the way and told us what they were, then we found a nice spot to sit and Forest held up the plants, one at a time. We had to guess the names of them and see who could call the name out first. Our group won a tie for first place. We found some skeletons while walking through the woods. We thought they were deer. On the way back we played another game where each person had six stones and when they identified a plant they got to drop a stone. Abe Rybeck won. In the afternoon we visited sites of strip mines with George. We came back to camp and after dinner we went to the fissures and crawled through Timothy's tunnel. When we came back to camp we heard Forest's poems. Later we had a campfire and it lasted very long. No one wanted to go to bed. We had a visitor who played the harmonica for us. It was beautiful. The week has gone very fast and I can't say that I know anyone who didn't have a great time. I know I sure did and I'm coming next year. It is a sad thing to say goodbye to friends you have made, knowing very well that some of them you will never see again. All we can do is carry on.

EXCERPTS FROM
A SAFARI TO THE TAMARACKS
by Jo Hrabley
Written after a trip to Cranesville Swamp in 1976

"It is hard to describe the feelings of first stepping into the bog. It was almost as though we were children learning our first steps in life. One by one we took the big step onto the bog and accepted the fact that we were going to --- get wet, get very muddy, mucky shoes, socks and feet."

"Glenn was immediately attracted to the first pond. Billie and Ausima decided to join him to watch a female dragonfly gently place fertilized eggs into the water while her mate protectively watched her. Male dragonflies have a unique way of watching their mates... they simply place themselves on milady's head to keep other suitors away. That has to be real love!!!"

"We might mention that he, Forest, could not have been more at home in his own living room than he was here. That in itself gave many of us the reassurance we needed not to "give up" but to continue on patiently and to persevere right through the bog."

"Getting back to the island of Black Spruce and Tamarack...The rest of us were content to sit in our little paradise among the great trees, drinking in the beauty, savoring the contentment of just being here in the cool shade of the forest, gazing at the branches swaying with the little bit of breeze that was blowing- and listening to the songs of the birds that were around. It had been worth all of the effort we had made to get there, for it was soon to become a place that we did not want to leave readily. "

"Talk about contentment -- it was so peaceful -- Heaven must surely be like this!!! All problems seemed to melt away. Spellbound, we almost hated to speak -- it almost seemed wrong to break the sound of the forest with chatter. 'If only life could be this simple and happy' must have been one of the thoughts that crossed our minds."

"So it was that we left the Black Spruce and the Tamaracks behind and headed back for civilization?? Surely in coming here we had experienced civilization at its best and perhaps that was the most beautiful part. For the real beauty of this trip was not only the discovery of nature, but also the discovery that having helped each other out in distress, anticipating one another's needs and sharing the whole experience together, we had all grown to know each other better and had developed a kinship that would surely be remembered in later years."

"As we looked back once more the bog seemed harmless again, but this time we knew that it wasn't just a bog we had crossed. This time we realized that it was nature's treat to us in providing a storehouse of knowledge of the humble beginnings of our planet earth. It had taught us how life emerged to later become the food that would sustain us through life."

"The Swamp may sometimes be a boggling experience when you care to dare to cross it. Just as with life, it must be experienced one step at a time. Both can, hold for us adventure, challenge, discovery, beauty and memories. Having gone through it we know that the adventure of it draws us to it. The challenges are there for us to not only meet , but also to learn from them. The discoveries will make it interesting for us. The beauty in it is something we ought to grasp and not let go. And the memories are the culmination of all these."

NATURE
I wonder every evening
About the sights I've seen,
About the growing forest
And everything that's green.
I've seen the snow in winter,
The rain, the sleet , the rest.
But the things I've seen in nature
Are the things that I like best.

     Jay Good
     Junior Nature Camp 1977

A TORNADO
by Jim Hamilton

Monday, June 20, 1977, hadn't been any different from any other first day of Mountain Camp at Terra Alta until late afternoon, at dinner time. Typically it had been cool and showery all day , but by late afternoon the showers had stopped, although the sky remained leaden and ominous.

The evening meal was almost over when we noticed that the wind suddenly had risen sharply. Looking out the back door of the quonset hut we could. see greenish black clouds coming in from the west-northwest. Since the rain had not yet begun, a number of campers ran to secure the tent flaps which were by now flapping wildly in the increasing wind. Before they could finish, the rain hit in a torrential downpour. Busily battling wind and rain most of the campers at the tents were unaware that the others back in the quonset were watching the funnel cloud of a tornado cutting a swath through the trees behind the men's tents.

Although it happened so quickly t hat some of the observers were not sure that they had actually seen a tornado at all, subsequent investigation after the rain stopped confirmed that one had indeed narrowly missed the buildings and tents of T.A.

Apparently the tornado originated over Mr. Kelly's pasture to the west of camp, headed in a southwest direction, staying high at tree level, it crossed through the woods staying between camp and the lake road. Where the road makes a sharp turn to the left and just before it hit the row of our neighbors cabins the tornado turned right and went up over. the mountain to Hopemont.

Fortunately there was no damage to the camp other than having our electricity cut off because of a downed line. However, several large oaks, which had stood near the curve of the toad, were completely shattered by the twisting wind. A number of large trees in our woods had their tops twisted off and several were uprooted. Over in Hopemont a trailer home was demolished and some other property damage occurred.

Since our electric power was off we had no water supply because the pumps were inoperative. For the next twenty-four hours water had to be brought in from town in gallon jugs, but since only the kitchen needed water, we got along quite well. Our campfire that night was held around a candle in the quonset and somehow the group felt a new closeness.

At the end of the week there was some excitement again when we found out the local paper had a story and pictures of the damage near our road and in Hopemont. A supply was soon procured and almost everyone took home a souvenir copy of the Preston County News.

A TRIP TO ALPINE LAKE - 1979
Tuesday, June 26

All started well as we set off in the cars for our nearby destination. Arriving at the entrance, we drove past the guard, up the drive, and parked near the lodge. "Bud" White welcomed us, showing us the swimming pool and warning us about a Timber Rattlesnake seen that morning. Getting into his van to begin a tour of the area, he shortly succeeded in leading some of us down most of the bumpy roads of the area, but losing Martha, "PW" and Billie on the way, and culminating the trip by nearly taking the bottoms out of our transportation. After disembarking, we worked our way along a dirt road and down a hill. Listed are some of the many varieties of plants and animals observed. Several are indicators of a prior residence on the hill.

We watched little black tadpoles. They were swimming tightly packed together as their little roadside puddles were too quickly drying up. As we waited we saw a bulldozer approaching, scraping everything in its path to level the edge of the road. We stood helpless as the little wriggling bodies were tossed up with the dirt. The bright note was that Ellen had managed to scoop some up in a plastic bag and also some of the puddles were left.

Next we all drove down to the water's edge, stopping where we found a small pond on one side of the road and Alpine Lake on the other. A showy Eastern Kingbird posed on many branches and then took off with a huge dragonfly. Another female dragonfly spent much time laying eggs among the pond plants. Among the Eelgrass were many little fish, Dace, a number of hard to spot Bluegills, and three respectably-sized Large-mouthed Bass. Surrounding the big lake was a beautiful field of wildflowers, reminding Marie of liThe Sound of Music". Included were Yellow Cinquefoil, a small Evening Primrose (Sundrop), and myriads of Ox-eye Daisy (Crysanthemum leucanthemum). Norm found a Muskrat leg trap which Forest showed us how to spring. We carried it away with us along with many memories.

-- Catherine Andreyev

EVENING WALK TO GLOVER'S KNOB
June 26, 1979

Tuesday evening after dinner we all hiked the trails up to Glover's Knob. Part of the area is fenced for grazing, and the difference this makes in the types of ground vegetation is dramatic. Cows just don't like ferns and so there were many bare grazed patches, followed by luxuriant areas of ferns. We were wary of the possibility there would be a bull mixed with the cows, but luckily nothing appeared to threaten us.

Approaching the top of the knob we came out of the forest and into tall grass. To me, the view was reminiscent of scenes our ancestors might have viewed.... crossing the tall grass prairies with the wide sky in front. Looking out over the hill from the top was fantastic, we could see so far. ' Alpine Lake and the lodge where we had been that morning now looked like a chateau.. We saw the sunset from the hill, all reclining in the grass and listening to the history of the area as told by Dottie Sanders. After the sunset we hiked down the road and then cut through someone's sheep pasture to a surprise rendezvous at the Dairy Queen. It was getting dark quickly and some of us wondered how we were ever going to get over a particular barbwire fence. Luckily, with help we all got over... Martha having the only mishap, a small scratch which required a tetanus shot the next day. What a motley bunch we were, filling all the tables in the Dairy Queen. The ice cream tasted so good and afterwards we hiked back to camp, through the dark night, the stars becoming brighter and brighter as we progressed.

-- Catherine Andreyev

AN ALL DAY TRIP
June 21, 1979

Cheat River Narrows Our first stop of the morning was along the road by the historical Narrows of the Cheat River. There we saw 14 Turkey Vultures and looked at rocks and plants.

We studied the river and talked about two Wetzel brothers who, in colonial times, crossed the river to go hunting, savage Indians appeared and chased them back to the Cheat River. With no place to go, they jumped across the Narrows to safety. The Indians were afraid to cross the fierce river in fear of losing their lives.

Below are some of the things we found there:

Manheim Cave

Where Greenbrier Limestone was once mined for the Alpha Cement Plant, located near Rowlesburg at a place called Manheim, is a large excavation that could be used as a fallout shelter. There is much graffitti on the walls, and occasionally cars with "neckers" are inside.

Above the Manheim Cave is the Buckhorn Wall, famous engineering feat on the B & O Railroad between Baltimore and St. Louis. It was difficult to construct the railroad here. A picture symbolizing the Buckhorn Wall with a locomotive on it was once on the reverse side of the West Virginia great seal. The reverse side is no longer used. Near Buckhorn Wall, toward Rowlesburg, is the famous Troy Run Bridge on the railroad. While exploring the cave we made the following finds:

Seven Islands
Our next stop was a lunch stop at a place in the Cheat River called Seven Islands. It is a local vacation area for camping, boating, swimming and fishing. After heavy rains the area often floods and strands vacationers. It is a rich area for summer wildflowers. We have listed some of the things we observed at this stop:

Cheat River Overlook
This stop gives one a spectacular view of the Cheat River, and the high roadside cut on the other side of the road makes for excellent geological study. we observed the following :

Land Snail
Black Rat Snake
Hairy Woodpecker
Bushclover
Studied the geology of intermittent layers of sandstone of Devonian Period.

St. George
George is the oldest town in Tucker County. We saw the site of the old courthouse and the graveyard. We ate ice cream.

Cathedral State Forest
This area was once in a recreational center called Brookside. A man named Branson Haas worked here and enjoyed the forest now known as Cathedral. He saved his money and finally was able to purchase the piece of land with the vow that "No lumberman's axe" would ever cut the trees. Therefore, though forests were cut down all around, this part was saved. When the State of West Virginia realized the value of this Virgin Hemlock forest as a tract to be set' aside, they tried to buy it from Mr. Haas. He refused, thinking it was a lumberman's trick to try to get the trees. At last the State persuaded Mr. Haas of their true intentions and as a result we now have Cathedral State Forest. It is a most beautiful place showing us a typical Hemlock habitat. One can understand why it is called Cathedral. One feels very much as one feels when entering a tremendously beautiful house of prayer. Below are some things observed:

by - Bob Doherty, Donna Doherty
John Kulp, Michael Arabia
and Kit Sanders
THE CONSERVATIVES

CRANESVILLE SWAMP
1979

On Wednesday morning, June 10, we hurried with the morning chores and set off with high expectations for Cranesville Swamp. This unique area is east of Terra Alta almost at the Maryland state line. Our convoy first circled the marsh so that we could better visualize the overall terrain and "exterior" appearance. This shows a long valley of trees and open areas. The tree.s seem to be mainly tamaracks.

We parked and entered at a spot where a temporary marker provides information that this is a registered Natural History Landmark, 1965. U. S. Dept. of Interior, National Park Service.

The trail through a profusion of Black Chokeberry on high land led down to a wide expanse of open land which was soft and spongy - and a trifle wet! Rubber boots or old sneakers were worn by most of us as recommended by the staff.

Since the entire staff was along, the group tended to separate as we walked along. Small clusters of campers eagerly examined the wealth of flora. Several of us spent much time photographing everything we could. Photographing at ground level in a prone position in such a wet situation offers a challenge which one of our members solved by coming prepared with a small ground cloth which kept her almost dry.

What kind of things did we see? A partial list includes Bracken, Hayscented Fern, Cinnamon Fern, Skunk Cabbage, Laurel in beautiful bloom, Wintergreen, Sedge (Carex folliculata), and a fabulous expanse of Sundews. Those who had never seen that carnivorous plant were quite amazed by the diminutive size of these gems glistening with sparkling diamonds of moisture.

Forest Buchanan gathered us all around to lecture briefly on the Pitch Pine which was abundant, as was Tamarack, Hemlock and some Red Spruce.

Eight Turkey Vultures were seen. Other birds in the swamp were, appropriately, the Swamp Sparrow, Goldfinch, Veery, Yellowthroat and Magnolia Warbler. We evidently came very close to the Swamp Sparrow's nest for it strafed us repeatedly as our group straggled slowly, seeking firm footing on the hummocks of grass in order to minimize going in deep.

The day was priceless, n6t too hot and no swarms of mosquitos as one might expect from an area of stagnant water. The pace was leisurely as we all sought to see everything and absorb it all.

We wended our way into the quiet shade of tamaracks and took a break sitting on old moss-covered logs or wherever comfortable. This corner of space had such quality of being far removed from the rest of the world by a few hundred light years. Just our small group, blue and white sky overhead, the mixed woodsy scent in the soft still air broken only by some bird songs as we took a completely silent break for a few precious moments.

Billie Altemus then led a session during which we each , campers and staff, shared with the others our thoughts on what the Cranesville Swamp meant to us. These comments, serious, humorous, philosophical, sought to verbalize the unique experience which even a few hours in close communion with nature afford us.

The consensus was that it was indeed a never-to-be-forgotten time of very special beauty which all sought to capture and hold, and take back with us to our normal work-filled, and perhaps high-pressure lives.

As Don Altemus had said at the first campfire, Terra Alta for him "Is coming back to the well". Cranesville Swamp proves that to be true.
written by Hugh Zernickow

ANOTHER ETERNAL TRIANGLE

Sometimes I wonder why Nature Campers crawl out of warm sleeping bags at five-thirty in the morning, stumble down the path, then to the shower or washhouse, then to the quonset for a swallow of coffee --- to do WHAT??? Go for a BIRD WALK!!! !

What woke them up? Well, it used to be a cow bell or a blast from Don's car horn. But now, a lovely triangle hangs on slab sides and chimes lure us out musically.
Thanks, David Hohman

CARAVAN FIELD TRIPS

Field trips have always been the substance and spice of the Oglebay Institute Mountain Camp. During 1976 , '77, '78 and '79 we revisited many places in the surrounding Appalachians where fifty years of Oglebay campers have explored and discovered before us.

The following accounts are from the logs of several campers and cover different years.

Blackwater Falls -- 1977
This is one of the most beautiful sights in West Virginia. We hadn't meant to stop here on this excursion but how can anyone pass it by, so along with hundreds of tourists, the campers flocked down the long flight of stairs to view the falls. The park was really crowded and Jay and Glenn had to lead us into a more quiet area before we could hear the winter wren. He was singing far across the gorge but the sound still penetrated to us. Some went on to explore for the black-throated green warbler but most couldn't resist the concession stand with Popsicles, cold drinks and souvenirs. That night at campfire we discussed the developments there and tried to imagine how it had looked when the first Oglebay camp visited it almost fifty years ago.

Salt Lick -- 1978
Don Altemus led us on an old road along Salt Lick Run. We found great stands of Maidenhair-fern and spent time hunting for fossils along the creek bed. We added a Black and White Warbler to our list. There were pink Lady's slippers along the steep side of the hill. The rocks were covered with mosses and lichens and Polypody Fern. At the top of the hill we came upon a small cabin. non had talked to the lady who lived there when he met her at the bottom of the hill. She had told him that if we walked slowly giving her time to run an errand, she would be back in time to show us a fawn which she had in the cabin. Don kept this secret and the owner (she turned out to be a former pupil of Dottie Sanders) returned in time to show us Bambi. Her family had found him next to his dead mother, probably shot by a poacher. They had brought him home to care for until he could manage on his own. We got to watch it eat from a bottle and romp around. The shutterbugs had a field day.

Foster's Fissure -- 1977
This is a great fissure in the conglomerate rock above the dam of Snowy Creek which forms Lake Terra Alta. We left camp in the evening and walked to the end of our lake and up the hill. On the way up Forest Buchanan taught us many plants and collected specimens. Then we stopped at a pleasant spot and played his famous plant identification game. The competition was keen and the game was a lot of fun. Hopefully, it helped us learn the plant names as well. Then we climbed on up to the fissures. The Oglebay people call this formation the Foster's Fissures because of Foster Brown, a former camper who found it for us. There is a tight passage between the rocks which is called Tim's Tunnel after another camper, Timothy Black. The brave and the slim try to get through and each year some new names are added to the exclusive Tim's Tunnel Club. Once we had all assembled inside at a spot where the walls rise all ears, Forest and Jay gave a talk explaining the geological history of the place. Forest asked some of us to express our thoughts as we sat quietly. Some campers recited poems and some spoke of other explorers who might have found this hidden place. Rhododendron was in full bloom all around us.

Buchanan's Bog -- 1977
Not far from Ringer's farm is another bog which Forest Buchanan discovered a number of years ago. After getting permission from the farmer, the campers climbed the fence and started into the area. We trudged through a wet place thick with Smooth Alder, Witch Hazel and Black Chokecherry onto firmer ground and into a forested area. Here we found low Blueberry bushes, much Clintonia, Interrupted and Cinnamon Fern and Goldthread. We followed a Cuckoo but were unable to identify it as a Yellow-billed or Black-billed. We also saw the Willow Flycatcher and watched him call, "fitz beu". Then we proceeded through a pasture-like area where much Yellow Vetch and Orange Hawkweed were in bloom. Forest pointed out a large Tupelo or Black Gum tree which had been left by the farmer in the middle of the field. Ellen took soil samples in the swamp, the forest and the field. Then we started through another boggy area. We could see our cars high : up on the road ahead of us and Forest struck out in that direction. As we went along he pOinted out Cranberry and much sphagnum mosS. We stopped to watch a Bluebird. Soon we realized we were trying to cross a beaver area. The channels they had made were deep and each one got deeper. We stopped to listen to a Swamp Sparrow. Jay, going ahead to test the deepness of the water found a stream that was over his head. We had to cross it or go back. So Jay improvised a perilous bridge of driftwood and willow and alder branches and gallantly helped everyone across.

George Ringer's Farm -- 1977
Ed Stein and Mark Malone of the West Virginia Soil Conservation Department took the camp t o visit George Ringer's farm which is on the road to Cranesville not too far from camp. This is a large modern dairy farm run with expensive modern machinery and using modern methods. Mr. Ringer and his three sisters plus his married brother and his wife run the farm together. He was very gracious and showed us everything, explaining and answering questions as we went along. We were shown the fields where the cow's food was grown. The management of the crops was fully explained. We saw a watering trough with an ingenuous way of gathering water from the run- off of the hills. We were shown the huge chemical shed where fertilizers, weed- killers and pesticides were studied and mixed, measured and dispensed. Then we were shown the gigantic field machinery and learned the use of each machine as well as its cost. There was a big apparatus for drying grain and feed. This is very important in the mountains because of the short growing season and the huge amount of rainfall. Not all farmers can afford one of these but Mr. Ringer shares his machine with the members of his co-op. Finally the cows came up the hill to be milked and we were allowed in the spotless milk room where Mr. Ringer's three sisters and his sister-in-law do the milking. Six cows came in at a time. They go directly to their places, are washed and the shiny nozzles are attached to their udders. Soon we could see the milk shooting through glistening pipes into the milk tank. All of us were encouraged to try our hand at milking. Fran Kiselica did a good job of it. We all teased her and told her she should apply to be the farmer's wife.

A LONG TRIP -- 1978

On Tuesday of the last week of Mountain Camp we skipped the bird walk, ate breakfast early, packed lunch and supper and took off for:

Blackwater Falls
Here we planned to eat lunch, but first we went to see the falls. There was a great amount of water. The center rock, which is usually exposed, was completely covered and the torrent below the falls was so great that there was no question of climbing around on the rocks below, or of going on top of the falls. The noise of the water was tremendous but we were still able to hear the Winter Wren singing in the forest opposite the falls. As we went down the steps toward the falls, we heard the Black-throated Green Warbler and saw several. There were very few people there as it had been raining hard, and after viewing the falls we had our lunch in the shelter. We cooked hot dogs on a grill with the supervision of Don Altemus and Jim Hamilton. They instructed us on two ways to start a charcoal fire and how to get the hot dogs well done but not burned. The sun came out and we had to leave sooner than we wanted to because we had a date with Amy Keitzer at Canaan Valley. Amy is an Oglebay Institute Nature Camper who was doing her internship at Canaan Valley State Park.

Canaan Valley
The caravan stopped at the ridge overlooking the Canaan Valley. This is a magnificent view which should never be passed in a hurry. Ellen got out the count our map and she and Don gave us a good explanation of the geology of this high basin-like valley. Also Jay and Don discussed the still controversial plan to dam the Blackwater River, flooding part of the valley in order to produce more electric power. With our binoculars, we could spot several beaver dams. We did a little fossil hunting in the cut by the road, and then went on for our rendezvous with Amy.

Amy was waiting for us at the park office, but before we went off with her to the trail she had selected we had the privilege of watching several Horned Larks in the open field area and the nearby golf course. We watched them as they soared higher than we could follow with our binoculars, and we listened to the ascending warble of their flight song and then watched as they dropped swiftly back to the ground. Many campers had never seen nor heard this before and it was an impressive performance. Amy led us along a newly cut trail between the office and the Canaan Lodge. We saw several species of grasses, sedges and reeds, a display of Yarrow that looked as if it had been planted by a gardener. She showed us a beaver dam and we watched two beavers at work close by. The group somehow got split and much time was wasted by one group waiting for those led by Glenn Peterjohn and Don Altemus. This group was following the song of a Canada Warbler and like the Pied Piper, he led them astray.

Dolly Sods
After Canaan we made a quick trip to Dolly Sods. This excursion is always a must for Oglebay campers. Its romantic history and its spectacular vistas and unusual rugged terrain cannot be overlooked. Jay and Don gave us the history of the sods and Ellen the geological story. The Mountain Laurel was in full bloom. We found bleeding heart and menzizia, violet-leafed strawberry and dwarf cornel. We watched the ravens flying around Bear Rocks. Some of us collected a few quartzite pebbles, fascinated by Ellen's account of how they had been washed down from some ancient river and imbedded in the conglomerate rock. In 1977 Jay had seen and heard a Hermit Thrush, but we did not see one this time.

Fairfax Stone
We had supper and then hurried to the Fairfax Stone roadside park. We wanted to get there before dark so that we might hear the Hermit Thrush. We followed Forest and Don into the woods on the other side of the road. Forest detained us long enough to look at the large round-leaved orchid that grows there. Then we hurried down over the hill. We were lucky, the thrushes were still singing. It was very thrilling to stand there, forty of us, in hushed silence as one after the other, the thrushes sang. We hardly moved, standing there until darkness came and the thrushes stopped. Then we stumbled back to our cars and home to camp.

A LONG TRIP -- 1977

During the first week of the 1977 camp we took an all-day trip to Greenland Gap, the Smoke Hole and Seneca Rocks. Greenland Gap now belongs to the West Virginia Nature Conservancy. It was once the summer home of D. A. Burt of Wheeling. We wandered around all morning in this beautiful place. We all felt we could have stayed there forever. We heard the Field Sparrow there and saw the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Lib found many new plants to show us and some that were listed were: cat's ear, deptford pink, bird's foot trefoil, spitebush, redbud or Judas tree, salsify, water plantain, coltsfoot, striped maple, a whole hedge of Chinese chestnut trees, smoke-tree, butterfly-weed, viper's bugloss, and the pink fruit of the mountain maple and the light green bag of the bladdernut. We ate our lunch there, and then some of the group went to see and climb Seneca Rocks while the rest of us went to the Smoke Hole. On our way we stopped to see a hillside full of prickly pear cactus. This side of the mountain range gets so little rainfall, the clouds having lost their moisture as they passed over the western side, that many plants of dry climates grow here. Another plant that likes dry soil is the nodding thistle. There was much of this along the roads.

When we got into the Smoke Hole, Jay and Don told us the tales of the bootleggers and the FBI for this was a favorite place to make bootleg whiskey during prohibition times. Also talked about the Indian history of the area. Near the Eagle Rock we found resurrection-fern and wild coral-bells. Along the stream was bouncing-bet, wild columbine and swamp-milkweed. A little further along we found horse- nettle and water-hemlock. The dutchman's pipe vine grew on many trees along the road. We drove out of the valley to the top of the mountain where we got out of the cars to pose for a picture. Some camper climbed down the side of the mountain to find cliff-brake fern and woolly-lipped fern. The rest of us watched some ant lions work in the sand by the road. There were yellow oak there and fragrant sumac, also redbud trees with their bean pods already formed. Many of these plants are limestone loving plants.

This was a long trip and we were all happy to get back to camp where bowls of strawberries waited for us, thanks to the campers who had gone out early that morning to pick them.

DOTTIE'S CABIN -- 1978

Nestled on a mountain slope, beside a lonely road and along a roaring stream, is a place known to Oglebay campers as Dottie's Cabin. This place is far removed from present day civilization, although the cabin must have been at one time the center of activities in this mountain community, as it was originally a one-room schoolhouse. The blackboard, benches, heating stove, coal house and graffitti-marked outhouses are still there to be seen and used as in the past.

The cabin was then known as Old Pine Grove Schoolhouse. Our cook, Mary Fries, told us that her father had attended this school. The present deed states that Dottie Foley Sanders is owner of "one acre more or less" - and so we felt free to roam. However, an exclusive rod and gun club owns the property surrounding the cabin area, but Dottie appears to be on good terms with all her neighbors.

As the caravan of cars advanced slowly down the bumpy, narrow dirt road some campers felt they might never get back to base camp, especially if darkness should overtake us. Others saw only the beauty along the roadside lined with ferns and other plants.

We crossed the mountain stream known as Muddy Creek several times. Its edges were thick with a "Rhododendron Hell". (This is not the same Muddy Creek that we find near Swallow Falls.) We stopped to see the effects of a violent storm that toppled trees along the banks. We saw evidence of beavers where a dam had been built across a stream with fallen trees and chiseling teeth. Also, many deer trails could be seen running up and down the soft banks along the road. The deer come down to eat the mountain lettuce growing in the trickling streams flowing from mountain springs. This plant belongs to the Saxifrage Family.

After parking our cars, we divided into small groups, fanning out in all directions to explore the area surrounding the schoolhouse cabin. Some went over the bank toward the stream while others chose to follow Dottie up an old logging road. Here we observed a variety of birds and plants, including the prairie warbler singing from the top of a spruce tree. Other birds seen or heard along the way were the solitary vireo, chestnut-sided warbler, great-crested flycatcher and ovenbird.

It was easy to see the evidence of forsaken mountaintop farms. As we explored old foundations and deserted buildings, Dottie gave us a running account of the history ' of the people who once lived here. A mountain feud continued between the inhabitants of the upper and lower farms, and among other events, led to a diverted water supply and a barn burning... all veiled in the mystery of the mountains.

After our trip of exploration, we all met in front of the cabin where a small campfire had been started. We sat and waited impatiently for our turn to feast on the foil meal prepared back in the camp kitchen, but now cooked on the · fire by Billie and the campers. Our cooks enjoyed their night off watching and waiting.

Gathered here in the schoolhouse yard, we listened to Dottie tell more tales of rattlesnakes, bear, bobcat and black panther, while we devoured our cook-out meal. We noticed deptford pink, whorled loosestrife, and sundrop, a tiny yellow flower like an evening primrose, growing all around us. Some even tasted the black birch, the large tree growing directly in front of the cabin. Were they that hungry? Dusk soon came upon us in this narrow valley and we were guided back to Terra Alta by the lights of our caravan of cars. All enjoyed this sojourn into the past of Preston County.

THE GLORIOUS PLIGHT OF PEDDLER'S GLORY -- 1978

Peddler's Glory is the local name of the original main road from Terra Alta, down the mountain to St. Joe, a suburb of Albright, West Virginia. This road is still considered by many to have been a better route than the present Route 7 which crosses the top of Briery Mountain. Peddler's Glory follows the natural gradient made by the cutting through of Elsey Creek, crossing a small elevation to Dougherty Creek and then down to the Cheat River. Years ago when the old road was used, there were a few houses along the way. After the new road was built across the top of Cadell Mountain (Briery) connecting the towns of Kingwood and Terra Alta, the old way was abandoned and soon became little more than a foot path.

The name , Peddler's Glory, was given to this unused road sometime after July 3, 1879 , when a dead body was found about forty yards off the path. The inquest developed some strange facts which indicated that the sixty year old man, a peddler, had been robbed and killed on his way between Albright and Terra Alta.

Locally it is considered a good hike to begin at Evan's Curve, one mile west of Terra Alta, and follow this old road to the river. It is also good hunting and fishing territory. On the last Friday of Mountain Camp, 1978, it was decided that the camp would scout through the area to see what might be found. Nellie and Mary, our cooks who live in Albright, were very interested and encouraged us to try it.

It is difficult to say who the leader was. Dottie, of course, knew the lay of the land and the legends that surround the place. Because of this we all presumed she had been through it. We kind of had the impression that she was the leader.

The first confusion came when campers began to ask how far it would be. Dottie said she thought about seven miles. Nellie and Mary said it couldn't be more than three. As it turned out, it is seven miles from Terra Alta to St. Joe. This should make our trip about four miles. So we all followed Dottie's plan with utmost faith. It was as follows: The drivers would leave.the campers out at Evan's Curve. They would then proceed to St. Joe where they would drive the cars as far as possible up the old route. There they would be parked and the drivers would come back to Evan's Curve in one vehicle. In the meantime, the campers would proceed slowly down the old road, stopping to eat their lunches along the way. This way the drivers could catch up to us before we had gone far.

Then came the second confusion, RAIN! Just when it was time for the campers to get out of the cars to begin their walk, the sky released a heavy downpour. It rained so hard that muddy water ran in small streams under the tires of the cars. Plans had to be altered, so we all ate our lunches in the dryness of the cars.

After waiting for what seemed a long time, the campers donned their ponchos and started walking down the trail with Don leading. They stopped to watch a bobolink. Then lingered quite awhile watching a flock of barn swallows hawking for insects over the fresh wet field.

When the drivers returned they hurried to join the others and were surprised to see the wet and muddy path, overgrown with sopping weeds, no, most of it was royal fern. The creek was swollen and over the path in many places. Soon a messenger came running back to the drivers group to say that the advance group was waiting for Dottie. They had come to a fork in the creek and didn't know which way to go. At this point, Dottie's surprising and reassuring comment was, "How would I know? I've never been here before."

When they caught up, they realized that Don wasn't concerned about being lost. He was pointing out the hooded warbler and there was a pewee singing in a tree so low we could almost reach out and touch him. The campers watched as he flew from a tree to catch an insect and then swiftly return. Birds were everywhere and seemed extremely tame. The group had been followed down the creek by one Louisiana Water-thrush after another as the campers passed from one male's territory to another's.

Lib was in her glory, poking along, examining every plant and pointing it out. Some were snooping around the old foundations where lilacs and rose bushes and other cultivated flowers told the story of old homesteads. Several gathered pieces of pottery and examined other artifacts. Don pointed out the succession of plants that had filled in the formerly cultivated fields. In many places we had to wade the rising waters where bridges were missing. One had only a pole across and Jim Hamilton proved his bravery by walking across. Lynne was tempted but she backed down. On the rest break, Dottie made the campers feel secure by telling them the brief history of the area including the story of the murdered peddler who had met his Glory along this road.

Soon after the rest, the campers went on their way, and in one place, where they crossed the stream they came upon fresh tire tracks. Some vehicle had to have come from the other end of the road. Also, someone pointed out bare (or bear) footprints. However, the prints were stepped on before identified. Now it was easier, following the tire tracks, but why were they there? They seemed to have been made since the rain. Suddenly the road forked. One way seemed to cross the creek and there was evidence of an old bridge. The stream was wider and deeper there. This looked like the direction we wanted to take. The other part went up a steep hill. Most of the campers rested while a few, led by Dottie, scouted ahead along the creek. This way proved impossible. It was full of greenbrier and rhododendron thickets, and they had run smack into a tall cliff of rocks. So we had to go up the steep hill. I think the campers got a little discouraged at this point. Some of them began singing and this lifted the spirits a little. Part way up the hill the road forked again. Here the decision was easier because one part continued up the hill and the other part went down to the creek where we could see a remnant of an old bridge. The stream was really torrential here, but it was the last crossing the group had to make. From here the road crossed the ridge between Elsey and Dougherty Creeks. We began to see lilac bushes and the campers increased their pace as they felt more secure. Some hurried on ahead, and the group assumed the usual scattered pattern. Billie, Dottie and Lib were with the last group; Lib was still finding interesting plants. A member of the advance group came running back with the welcome words, "The cars, the cars, they're up ahead."

The trip had been eventful: hard rain, wet weeds, greenbrier, rhododendron thickets, seven crossings of swollen water, Dr. Peterjohn's birthday dip in cold water, cliffs of rocks, uncertain tears, unexplained tracks and confusion. But the excitement was not quite over.

Kit, with poison ivy on her feet and Tricia, with back problems, and dependable PW had elected to stay with the cars. When the campers finally arrived, the girls and PW were relieved. It was very late and far past the time of the appointed meeting. However, they had other reasons for their concern. The police had been there and on seeing our out-of-town license plates had questioned them. The day before a man had been found dead in an isolated part of the area we had just traversed. Had we planned our trip a day earlier, we could have been the ones to find him. The police and the man's son were still searching in the area for any clues to explain how he had met his Glory. This was the reason for the tracks In addition, we had parked our cars near a large patch of cultivated marijuana and this made us somewhat suspect.

Tired and wet, we soon loaded the cars and started back to camp. Nellie and Mary had waited for us and had ready for us the perfect end to an eventful day -- a big dinner of chicken and biscuits and a huge birthday cake for Glenn.

account written by Dottie Sanders

The field notes used in the accounts of these field trips were taken from the notes of Nancy Campbell, Martha Kulp, Dave Morrison, Lois McGary, Jack Mumaw, Dr. Glenn Peterjohn and Don Altemus.

GEOLOGY REPORT OF THE 1979 TERRA ALTA MOUNTAIN CAMP

A knowledge of geology is basic to the understanding of ecological systems. The science, geology, is closely related to other disciplines: biology, physics, chemistry. Geology is the study of the physical earth; it includes such wide ranging topics as the formation of minerals, the deposition of sediments and the subsequent formation into rocks, the evolution of fossils, the weathering of rocks and the development of land forms, soils, and drainage systems, groundwater and pollution. Everything is indirectly dependent on geology for its existence. Plants interact with rocks to form soil necessary for their existence. The type of plants which grow in any given locality are dependent on many factors. The characteristics of the soil such as grain size, chemical composition and pH (acidity) are dependent on the type of rocks from which they form. Topography, climate, elevation, drainage are also geological factors which are important. The most important agents acting on the earth to create the present configuration of the earth's surface are running water, ice, wind, gravity, living organisms and most recently, the most powerful, Man.

Geology Around Terra Alta
The Oglebay camp lies within a major geological ·structure known as the Briery Mountain Anticline, a broad up warping of originally flat-lying sedimentary rocks. The folding of the rocks of the Appalachians occurred during a sequence of events over 200 million years ago during the last stage of mountain building related to the collision of the continents of Africa, Europe and North America. These ancient mountains, once several miles high, have been eroded away so that the upper parts of these large folds are gone, exposing the rock unites in a symmetrical pattern. Art east-west cross section through the Terra Alta vicinity would look something like this (not drawn to scale):

The oldest rocks are found in the center of the anticline. The names of the layers are formation groups of related rocks. The Catskill formation is primarily red shales interbedded with sandstones and siltstones. Shales are easily eroded and in West Virginia usually underlie the valleys. The Hampshire formation is similar, with more sandstones. Both are of Devonian age, the time period when plants made their first appearance on land. The rocks were formed on an ancient delta which stretched from New York to southern Virginia. Outcrops of the Hampshire can be seen along the road at the west end of the lake and are reflected in the red soils.

The next youngest rock is the Pocono, composed of sandstones and conglomerates. The latter is more resistant to erosion. Where it outcrops, ridges and hills are formed. The changes in topography can be seen along Lake Terra Alta. At the west end, the stream valley is broad and relatively flat At the dam end, where the Pocono outcrops, the lake is narrow with steep banks. Snowy Creek flows through a rocky ravine Large blocks of conglomerate cap the ridge, and at Foster's Fissures, the rock has broken off along parallel cracks or joints and the blocks have slowly moved downhill.

The Greenbrier formation is composed of limestone of Mississippian age. Where limestones outcrop, the soil tends to be less acid and different plants grow there which are intolerant to acid conditions. Coltsfoot is a good example of such an indicator plant. It is found around camp only along the roads where limestone has been brought in for gravel. Limestone is composed of calcium carbonate. It is dissolved by groundwater which is acidic (carbonic acid formed by CO2 in the air and soils). Hence, in humid climates limestone is usually found in the valleys. The Greenbrier underlies the valley in which Cranesville Swamp is located.

The next younger rock formation is the Pottsville, composed of thick sandstones and conglomerates. It is the principal ridge-forming rock unit in this part of West Virginia (the Appalachian Plateau Physiographic Province). These rocks are Pennsylvanian in age and also contain numerous layers of coal, deposited in vast ancient coastal swamps. The Pottsville underlies Briery Mountain to the west of the camp and a series of ridges to the east such as Snaggy Mountain. The erosion of thick layers of sandstone form the falls at Swallow Falls State Park. Younger Pennsylvania-aged rocks are found further east and west on the far side of the Cheat River. At one point, overlooking the Cheat River, a magnificent cut in the Hampshire red beds are seen.

There are many theories on the formation of red rocks, the iron must have been exposed to air during the deposition of the sediments so that the iron could oxidize. (Iron is blue or gray in its unoxidized form.)

At Cathedral State Park we noticed a very sandy soil and creek bed. The park is underlain by the Pottsville formation. Most sandstones create acid soil, which is preferred by certain plants such as the heaths: Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel, Blueberries. The understory of Cathedral reflected this acid environment. Hemlocks seem to grow on all types of rocks, however, often along streams.

Cranesville Swamp
As mentioned before, the swamp is underlain by Greenbrier Limestone, with the Pocono and Pottsville formation forming the ridges on either side. Muddy Creek, which flows out of the swamp to the east, crosses the Pottsville as it cuts through the ridge. The sandstones there are less easily eroded than the limestone, so they form a control on the level to which the stream can erode the surface upstream from that point, actually like a dam. Hence, Muddy Creek flattens its gradient and broadens its valley at that point, creating a bog situation. The surrounding hills help to trap the sinking cold air, creating an environment that supports a vegetation usually found further north, i.e., the tamarack trees.

Canaan Valley
Canaan Valley is an excellent example of an eroded anticline. The anticline is plunging at both ends, which means the rocks were originally folded into an oval dome. Here the Pottsville outcrops in a ring forming the ridges around the valley, with the older Pocono creating little hills in the center. The base level of the Blackwater River is controlled by the sandstone as it leaves the valley at Davis in the same way as at Cranesville Swamp, creating a vast swampland at a high altitude.

Dolly Sods
Dolly Sods is located at the edge of the Allegheny Front which divides the state into two major physiographic provinces, The Allegheny Plateau and the Ridge and Valley. The highest elevations in the state occur along the Front, the ridge tops to the east average a thousand feet lower. The Sods are underlain by Pottsville conglomerates folded into a shallow syncline.

Most of the soils were burnt off exposing the beautiful white conglomerate rocks They were seen weathering into white rounded quartz pebbles. The rocks were formed from river deposits which had carried the pebbles down from an ancient mountain chain to the east.

Railroad Cut
The geology class made a trip to the west side of Terra Alta. The Devonian age rocks had been folded into a broad syncline with several smaller folds and faults visible along the tracks. Fossils and sedimentary features indicated the type of environment which existed at the time the sediments were laid down. These included brachiopods, ripple marks and worm burrows, which would have been found in a shallow sea, probably a sub-tidal zone.
--by Ellen Snyder

DRAGONFLIES COLLECTED AT OGLEBAY INSTITUTE MOUNTAIN CAMP
June 24 - 26, 1976
Paul D. Harwood

The species of dragonflies collected in Preston County, June 24 through 26, are reported here. Collection sites were Lake Terra Alta, Salt Lick Run, and an abandoned strip mine near the Hopemont Hospital, and Cranesville Swamp. In the list the vernacular name is presented first and then the technical name which is underlined. The species are separated by semicolons. Each species new to Preston County is indicated by an asterisk placed before the technical name; a species new to the state is indicated by two asterisks before the technical name.

The white stylus (Lanthus albistylus; hairy-footed clubtail (Gomphus villosipes); clouded blue darner (Aeschna umbrosa); northeastern blue darner (**Aeschna verticalis); Julia's skimmer (**Libellula luctuosa); ten spot (Libellula pulchella); half-spotted skimmer (Libellula semifasciata); white tail (Plathemis lydia); autumnal red skimmer (Sympetrum vicinum); blue pirate (Pachydiplex longipenis); true skulker (*Lestes eyrinus); northern skulker (Lestes disjunctus' disjunctus); rectangle skulker (Lestes rectangularis); red damsel fly (Amphiagrion saucium); hidden yellow spot (Chromagrion conditum); violet dancer (Argia violacea); migrant bluet (Enallagma basidens); dispersed bluet (*Enallagma divagens); the exile (Enallagma exsulans); Hagen's bluet (Enallagma hageni); evening bluet (**Enallagma vesperum).; and common forktail (Ischnura verticalis).

Twenty-four species of dragonfly were collected and identified, several by rearing nymphs of undetermined identity to the adult stage. Sixty species are now known from Preston County. Five species are new to Preston County and three of the five are new to West Virginia.

The northeastern blue darner is represented by a cast skin found clinging to a bull rush and a nymph, both taken from the shallow pools of the strip mine. The nymph subsequently transformed into an adult blue darner at my home in Ashland, Ohio. This is one of the rarer of the blue darners. There is one record of this dragonfly from North Carolina, but all other records are more northern than West Virginia. The northeastern blue darner ranges as far west as Iowa and Minnesota. I have taken this species previously from Barbour, Marion, Randolph, and Tucker Counties.

One male specimen of Julia's Skimmer, the first recorded from West Virginia, was taken from Cranesville Swamp on June 26, 1976. It is said that this dragonfly inhabits the international border of the United States and Canada across North America. West Virginia is the most southern record. Carsten Ahrens has kindly permitted me to extract all locality data from his unpublished manuscript. He wrote of the evening bluet, "Found a male in an abandoned clay pit near Parsons, West Virginia, June 25 (1935)" A nymph which was taken from the strip mine transformed into an adult female at Ashland on July 8. It was subsequently identified as this species. Some odonatists believe the evening bluet is common but overlooked because of its crepuscular habits. Although aware of its habits, I find the evening bluet rare in West Virginia where only two specimens are recorded.

THE LABORATORY UNDER THE SHELTER

Dr. Jay Buckelew and Dr. Glenn Peterjohn's study groups brought their findings back to camp and studied and identified them on the tables under the big shelter. It was a popular place during these four years. The lights were often burning into the night as students collected moths and other night creatures, and examined them as well as their daytime finds under the microscopes. Specimens were discovered on every field trip. Below is a check list kept in 1977.

I INSECTS
Stoneflies - nymphs
Mayflies - nymphs

Dragonflies and Damselflies - nymphs and adults
Blue darners; Skimmers

Orthoptera
Short-horned Grasshoppers; Long-horned Grasshoppers; Crickets

Beetles
Ground Beetle; Whirligig Beetle; Carrion Beetle; Firefly Beetls;
Flower Beetle; Click Beetle - larva (wire worm); Lady Beetle;
Scarab Beetle (May Beetle, Japanese Beetle); Long-horned Beetle
(Milkweed Beetle); Cucumber Beetle; Langruid Beetle; Net-winged
Beetle; Leaf Beetle; Snout Beetle (typical weevils)

True Bugs
Ambush Bugs; Water Striders; Assassin Bugs; Flower Bugs; Plant Bugs

Homoptera
Leaf Hoppers; Spittal Bugs; Scale Insects; Mealy Bugs; Aphis
Nerve-winged Insects
Dobson Flies - larva (Helgermite); Antlions - larva; Caddis Fly -nymphs

Moths and Butterflies
Swallowtails - (Black and Tiger); Hairstreaks - (Meadow Blues) ;
Cabbage Butterflies; Coppers; Monarch; Skippers; Meadow Browns;
Brush-footed Butterflies (Fritillaries); Sphinx Moth; Saturnid

Moths - (Polyphemus and I0); Noctuids (Owlet Moths); Measuring
Worm - caterpillar

Scorpian Flies

Common Flies
Crane Fly; Midges; Mosquitoes; Gall Flies (Oval Goldenrod Gall);
Leaf Miners; Housefly; Syrphid Fly; Deerflies
Hymenoptera
Gall Wasps - (Braonid and Cynipid); Ichneuman Fly; Ants; Hornets;
Wasps - (Paper Wasps and Mud Daubers); Leaf-cutter Bees; Bumble
Bees; Honey Bees

II OTHER ANTHROPODS
Crayfish, Millipeds.
Spiders: Funnel Spider; Weavers; Wolf Spider; and many others.
Red Mites

III MISCELLANEOUS
Salamanders:
Long-tailed; Red-spotted Eft; Slimy; Lined Salamander; Seal Salamander (the last two were found at Dottie's cabin).
Frogs:
Chorus Frogs; Spring Peeper- (tadople and adult); Green Frog; Bull Frog; Leopard Frog
Snakes:
Garter Snake
Turtles: Box Turtle Fish: Sculpins

REPORT MADE FOR THE 1979 CAMP
by Maureen Steiner

Dr. Glenn Peterjohn, our beloved biologist, was responsible for introducing many of us to some of the denizens of T.A. 's underground. Although many of the inhabitants were neither under earth nor water, they were often inconspicuous, lacking melodic songs, colorful plummage and showy blossoms. Some patience and, on occasion, high magnification were required to come face to face with some of the creatures. Apparently lifeless water held myriad microscopic life forms - ,protozoans, algae, various anthropods, and the dreaded NEMOTODES were summoned forth from soil and manure.

During the first session we worked with the creatures which didn't seem to fall into categories covered by sessions led by other staff members. Dr. Peterjohn introduced some order into the jumble of organisms being considered. Beginning, then, with familiar Spittle Bugs (whose froth we had all observed and felt) he compared members of some of the major insect orders. Using dead specimens mounted in petri-dishes and live specimens netted by sweeping around nearby shrubs, he pointed out similarities between members within the same groups and differences,from other groups.

Comparisons of life cycles were made, using the Spittle Bug as an example of incomplete metamorphosis (lacking the pupa stage) and Mealworms -often raised to feed lizards and salamanders - as an example of complete metamorphosis.

Mixed insects and spiders, captured in the sweep net, were placed in a clear plexiglass container for observation. Various behaviors were observed, including predation, web spinning, method of moving, as well as a wide variety of body shapes, sizes, colors, wing types, etc.

The structures of galls were demonstrated by collecting specimens (Oak Apple Gall, Hickory Aphid Gall, etc.). Aided by a dissecting microscope, they were dissected and the contents observed. Upon opening the Hickory Aphid Gall some of the adults flew away while others remained providing a comparison of all the various stages in the life cycle within a single gall.

While we had the microscope out, we also observed the Spring Salamander larva which had been captured earlier in the week at the pond near the Fissures. It had been held in an aquarium along with some Caddis Fly larvae. Other aquaria occupants were fish fry and Green Algae, previously obtained from a roadside ditch.

The major points of interest were the blood cells which could be seen circulating through the capillaries in the external gills, rather a thrill for one whose prior experience with amphibian blood was on prepared slides on which the red erthrocytes had been adulterated so that they appeared as fried eggs with translucent albumin and violet yolks.

The group also went down to the edge of Lake Terra Alta and used dip nets along the shoreline to sample aquatic creatures The material was placed in white porcelain pans. Observed dragonfly and damsel fly nymphs were collected for our aquaria and Mayfly and Midge larvae were also found. Among the non insects observed were crayfish of various sizes, Water Scuds (side swimmers) and Green Frog tadpoles.

It should be mentioned that these few specimens collected were released after a period of observation with the exception, of course, of those cannibalized by fellow captives.

Another attempt at predation was the "nibbling" of the tadpole tails by the crayfish with their chelipeds when the crayfish were first added to the tank. Thereafter, some sort of truce seems to have been reached and the crayfish no longer chased the tadpoles.

Tuesday, June l8 , l979
Session: Glenn Peterjohn

TREES AND SHRUBS l979

The following is a list of woody plants which were observed during the period of the 1979 Mountain Camp. Most types could be found in numerous locations, so the sites of only some of the remarkable ones are noted.

Conifers
Eastern tamarack (larch):Cranesville Swamp
Larix laricina: where the, scarlet tanager lived at the Mountain camp especially at Swallow Falls
European tamarack (larch), Larix decidua
Hemlock, Tsuga canadensis: and Cathedral State Parks. (At Cathedral the largest hemlock is a three person tree. )

Red Cedar, Juniperus virginina
White Pine, Pinus strobus
Norway Spruce, Picea abies
Red Spruce, Picea rubens
(Remember the spruce tea?)

Oaks
Black Oak, Quercus velutina: and others of this leaf-type (pointy lobed)
Chestnut Oak, Quercus prinus
Pin Oak, Quercus palustris
Red Oak, Quercus rubra
White Oak, Quercus alba: and others of this type (blunt lobed) most notably the four giants of the campfire circle.

Maples
Ash-leafed Maple or Box Elder, Acer negunda
Moosewood or Striped Maple, Acer pensylvanicum
Red Maple, Acer rub rum
Silver Maple, Acer saccharinum
Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum

Hickories
Bitternut Hickory, Carya cordiformis
Shagbark Hickory, Carya ovata
Mockernut Hickory, Carya tomentosa

Cherries
Choke Cherry, Prunus virginiana
Wild Black Cherry, Prunus serotina

Hawthornes
Many species of Crataegus which we did not attempt to specify.

Serviceberry
Many species of Amelanchier which we did not specify, but ate plenty of them.

Magnolias
Cucumber Tree, Magnolia acuminata
Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera

Laurels
Sassafras, Sassafras albidum (How could we forget Libby's tea.)
Spicebush, Lindera benzoin

Willows
Black Willow, Salix nigra
Weeping Willow, Salix babylonica
Dogwoods
Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida
Alternate-leaved Dogwood, Cornus alternifolia
Panic led Dogwood, Cornus racemosa
Kinnikinnik, Cornus amomum

Viburnums
Hobblebush, Viburnum alnifolium
Wild Raisin, Viburnum cassinoides
Smooth Arrowwood, Viburnum recognitum

Hornbeams
American Hornbeam or Muscle Tree, Carpinus caroliniana
Hop Hornbeam or Ironwood, Ostrya virgibiana

Miscellaneous Trees
White Basswood, Tilia heterophylla
Mountain Ash, Pyrus americana
Catalpa, Catalpa, specles
Osage Orange or Hedgeapple, Maclura pomifera
Staghorn Sumac, Rhus typhina
Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis
Witch Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana

SHRUBS
There is no clear size distinction between some plants listed here and some above.

Poison Ivy, Rhus radicans
especially the magnificent,
thick trunked specimen by the Cheat River
and the first one seen near camp along the rock-strewn road by the farms.
Greenbrier
Smilex rotundifolia
Smilex hispida

Blueberries and huckleberries, Vaccinium of various species (Most remembered by those eaten at Dolly Sods.)
Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius
Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis
Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica and several other species
Red Elderberry, Sambucus pubens
Black Elderberry, Sambucus canadensis (Remember the fritters?)
Mountain Holly, Ilex montana
American Holly, Ilex opaca
Mountain Laurel, Kalmia latifolia
Rhododendron, Rhododendron maximum

By Ed Thiery

FERNS OF TERRA ALTA - -- Mountain Camp 1979

Ferns are always of great interest to our campers. Also, they are a specialty for several members of our staff. Through the years much work has been done in this area by Michael Breiding, Colonel R. P. Carroll, , Forest Buchanan and others. Our campers benefit greatly from this accumulated knowledge. Below is a report done by Maureen Steiner and Marge Dawes. They have listed the ferns as they were seen and studied through the camp session.

Hay-scented Fern, Dennstaedtia punctilobula. When crushed smells like hay. Mostly found in open sun and mountain pasture land.
Triploid Wood Fern, Dryopteris intermedia x spinulosa. This is a hybrid.
Maidenhair, Adiantum pedatum. Almost black stipe and rachis divided into mini-branches.
Sensitive Fern, Onoclea sensibilis. Name derived from the fern's sensibility to frost.
New York Fern, Thelypteris noveboracensis. The leaf tapers at both ends; found in rich woods.
Cinnamon Fern, Osmunda cinnamomea. Cinnamon colored, masses of spores on long spike.
Interrupted Fern, Osmunda claytoniana
Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides. Coarse leaves which appear shaped like a Christmas stocking; evergreen.
Silvery Athyrium, Athyrium thelypteroides.

Cranesville Swamp - June 20
Bracken Fern, Pteridium aguilinum. One of the first plants to establish after a fire, it is West Virginia's largest fern.
New York Fern, Thelypteris noveboracensis
Cinnamon Fern, Osmunda cinnamomea
Hay-scented Fern, Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Cheat River and Cathedral Forest - June
Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis. Reminds one of a locust tree from a distance. Is found in wet land usually.
Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides
New York Fern, Thelypteris novaboracensis
Marginal Fern, Dryopteris marginalis. A wood fern that remains green
all year. Its fiddleheads are densely covered with brown "fur".
Intermediate Shield Fern, Dryopteris intermedia
Silvery Athyrium, Athyrium thelypteroides. This resembles the New
York Fern but its sori give it a silvery appearance.
Cinnamon Fern, Osmunda cinnomomea
Ebony Spleenwort, Asplenium platyneuron. The sorus resembles a spleen, giving the fern its name.

Swallow Falls State Park - June
Cinnamon Fern, Osmunda cinnamomea
Bracken Fern, Pteridium aguilinum
Intermediate Shield, Dryopteris intermedia. Lacy and evergreen, it is common in almost every state.
Marsh Fern, Thelypteris palustris. Grows in marshes, bogs and wet meadows.
Polypody Fern, Polypodium virginianum. Evergreen and usually found in rocky areas.
Interrupted Fern, Osmunda claytoniana

Terra Alta Camp Grounds - June
Bracken Fern, Pteridium aguilinum
Cinnamon Fern, Osmunda cinnamomea
Interrupted Fern, Osmunda claytoniana. It was found in Virginia by John Clayton in 1730.
Marsh Fern, Thelypteris palustris
Crested Shield Fern, Dryopteris cristata
Intermediate Shield Fern, Dryopteris intermedia
Spinulose Shield Fern, Dryopteris spinulosa
New York Fern, Thelypteris novaboracensis
Southern Lady Fern, Athyrium asplenioides. They are extremely confusing and can be found in almost every county in the state.

---by Marge Dawes and Maureen Steiner.

REPORT OF WILD FLOWERS, 1979
Compiled by Michael Arabia

The following is a compilation of wild flowers (herbaceous) sighted near or around the Terra Alta Nature Camp, Terra Alta, Preston County, West Virginia. Specific locations are noted. The time period was from June 17 through 29, 1979.

The list is arranged according to the Flora of West Virginia, 2nd Edition, West Virginia University. All plants were Spermatophyta (Angiospermae).

MONOCOTYLEDONEAE TYPHACEAE. Cattail Family Typha latifolia, Common or Broad-leaved Cattail. Found growing in wet conditions such as marshes and shores of lakes.

LILIACEAE. Lily Family

Lilium superbum, Turk's Cap Lily. Found near camp on field trip on June 18, 1979.

Clintonia borealis, Yellow Clintonia, Corn-lily, Blue Bead. Found not far from roadside in woods along Fairfax Stone Roadside Park, WV on June 28.

Clintonia umbellulata, White Clintonia. Growing in camp. Maianthemum canadense, Wild Lily-of-the-ValIey. Found in Cathedral State Park on June 21,

Disporum lanuginosum, Yellow Mandarin. Found near camp.

Medeola virginiana, Indian Cucumber-root. Seen in Cathedral State Park on June 21. Trillium undulatum, Painted Trillium. Cathedral State Park, June 21

Smilax Herbacea, Carrion Flower. Found all around the camp.

DIOSCOREACEAE. Yam Family

Dioscorea guaternata, Four-leaved Wild Yam. Growing in camp.

IRIDACEAE. Iris Family

Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Blue-eyed grass. Growing in camp. ORCHIDACEAE. Orchid Family

Cypripedium acaule, Pink Lady's Slipper. Seen at Salt Run on June 19.

Habenaria orbiculata, Large Round-leaved Orchis. Found at Swallow Falls State Park in Maryland on June 22. Pogonia ophioglossoides, Rose Pogonia, Snake Mouth. Found on a field trip on June 22.

Calopogon pulchellus, Calopogon, Grass-pink. Seen in a bog on Backbone Mountain on June 28.

Spiranthes lucida, Shining or Wide-leaved Ladies-tresses. Found in Manheim Caves on June 21.

Liparis lilifolia, Large Twayblade. Growing near shower room in camp. Liparis loeselii, Loesel's or Bog Twayblade. Growing beside the Large Twayblade near shower room.

DICOTYLEDONEAE POLYGONACEAE. Buckwheat Family Rumex obtusifolius, Broadleaf or Bitter Dock. Found around camp area.

CARYOPHYLLACEAE Pink Family Lychnis alba, Evening Lychnis, White Campion. Growing in camp.

Silene cucubalus, Bladder Campion. Growing in camp.

RANUNCUACEAE. Crowfoot or Buttercup Family

Ranunculus repens, Creeping Buttercup. Seen on roadside along the narrows of the Cheat River on June 21.

Trautvetteria carolinensis, Tasselrue. Also along the narrows of Cheat River on June 21.

Coptis groenlandicum, Goldthread. Seen at Cranesville Swamp, June 20.

FUMARIACEAE. Fumitory Family Dicentra eximia, Wild Bleeding-heart. Seen at Dolly Sods on June 28.

SARRACENIACEAE. Pitcher Plant Family Sarracenia purpurea, Pitcher Plant. Seen in a bog on Backbone Mountain on June 28. DROSERACEAE. Sundew Family

Drosera rotundifolia, Round-leaved Sundew. Seen in Cranesville Swamp on June 20.

ROSACEAE. Rose Family

Gillenia trifoliata, Bowman's Root, Indian Physic. Found at Bear Rock at summit of Dolly Sods on June 28.

Potentilla tridentata, Three-toothed Cinquefoil. Also seen at Bear Rock, Dolly Sods on June 28. Potentilla recta, Upright or Rough-fruited Cinquefoil. Growing in camp.

Potentilla simplex, Common Cinquefoil. Growing in camp.

LEGUMINOSAE. Pulse or Pea Family

Baptista tinctoria, Wild Indigo. Found near camp.

Trifolium pratense, Red Clover. Growing in camp. Trifolium repens, White Clover. Growing in camp.

Trifolium hybridum, Alsike Clover. Growing in camp.

Melilotus officina lis, Yellow ·Sweet Clover. Growing at camp.

Melilotus alba, White Sweet Clover. Growing in camp.

OXALIDACEAE. Wood Sorrel Family

Oxalis montana, Common or White Wood Sorrel. Found at Cathedral State Park on June 21.

Oxalis grandis, Large or Great Yellow Wood Sorrel. Seen on Seven Islands Park road on June 21.

ONAGRACEAE. Evening-primrose Family

Oenothera tetrogona, Common Sundrops. Edge of Cheat River on June 21.

ARALIACEAE. Ginseng Family

Aralia nudicaulis, Wild Sarsaparilla. Found near camp.

Panax trifolius, Dwarf Ginseng. Found at Cathedral State Park on June 21.

UMBELLIFERAE. Carrot or Parsley Family Hydrocotyle americana, American Water-penny Wort. Found near camp.

Osmorhiza clay toni, Hairy Sweet Cicely. Found near camp. Osmorhiza longistylis, Smooth Sweet Cicely, Anise Root. Found in camp.

PYROLACEAE. Wintergreen Family Monotropa uniflora, Indian Pipe, Corpse Plant. Near and around camp.

PRIMULACEAE. Primrose Family

Lysimachia guadrifolia, Whorled Loose Strife. Growing around camp.

GENTIANACEAE. Gentian Family Gentiana andrewsii, Closed or Bottle Gentian. Growing in camp, but not in bloom

APOCYNACEAE. Dogbane Family Apocynum androsaemifolium, Spreading Dogbane. Found near Alpine Lake on June 27.

ASCLEPIADACEAE. Milkweed Family Asclepias exaltata, Poke Milkweed. Alpine Lake on June 27. Asclepias syriaca, Dommon Milkweed. Growing at camp.

BORAGINACEAE. Borage or Forget-me-not Family

Echium vulgare, Viper's Bugloss. Seen along roads in Canaan Valley on June 28.

LABIATAE. Mint Family

Glechoma hederacea, Ground Ivy. Growing in camp.

Prunella vulgaris, Heal-all, Selfheal. Growing in camp. Collinsonia canadensis, Richweed, Horse-balm. Growing in camp.

SOLANACEAE. Nightshade or Tomato Family Solanum carolinense, Horse-nettle. Growing in camp.

PLANTAGINACEAE. Plantain Family Plantago rugelii, Common Plantain. Growing in camp.

Plantago lanceolata, English Plantain. Growing in camp.

RUBIACEAE. Madder Family

Galium concinnum, Shining Bedstraw. Growing in camp.

Galium asprellum, Rough Bedstraw. Growing in camp.

Houstonia caerulea, Common Bluets. Growing in camp.

Houstonia purpurea, Large Summer Bluets. Seen at Salt Run on June 19.

LOBELIACEAE. Lobelia Family Lobelia spicata, Spiked Lobelia. Growing in camp.

COMPOSITAE. Composite or Daisy Family

Solidago rugosa, Rough-stemmed Goldenrod. Growing in camp. Not in bloom. Erigeron philadelphicus, Philadelphia Fleabane. Seen at Manheim Caves on June 21.

Erigeron annuus, Daisy Fleabane. Growing at camp.

Antennaria plantaginifolia, Plantainleaf-everlasting. Seen on Seven Island Park Road on June 21

Rudbeckia hirta, Black-eyed Susan. Growing in camp.

Achillia millefolium, Yarrow, Milfoil. Growing at camp.

Anthemis cotula, Mayweed. Growing at camp.

Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Ox-eye Daisy. Growing at camp. Cacalia atriplicifolia, Pale Indian Plantain. Growing at camp.

Cichorium intybus., Chicory. Growing at camp.

Taraxacum officinale, Common Dandelion. Growing in camp.

(Editor's note: Formatting for the bird list was complicated and so here you will find only a simple list of species.
For all the details see the scanned pages which start here.)

BIRD REPORT FOR TERRA ALTA MOUNTAIN CAMP
1979 June 17-30

Eighty-eight species were recorded during these two weeks, sixty-eight of which were seen and heard within easy walking distance of the camp. Forest Buchanan and Don Altemus led the morning bird walks, with Forest usually covering the fields and highway west of the camp and Don covering the woods and lake area to the east. The breeding bird census, undertaken several mornings by Ellen Snyder, the camp geologist, and various assistants, was repeatedly supplemented by the abundance of nesting activity during these eight morning walks.

The entire area of the camp was literally burgeoning with males and females courting, building nests, brooding, feeding and generally introducing their young to the wild. On the very first bird walk, Don's group found an old vireo's nest secured in the forked branch of a tree, readily accessible for our inspection. Don also pointed out a House Wren's nest under the porch roof of an unoccupied cabin and at least one other nest nearby built as a decoy. On Tuesday, June 19, somebody in Forest's group spotted a Robin's nest in the lower corner of a window in a green-shingled shed about twenty yards from the road. While we stood observing the mother bird doing her morning housekeeping, Billie Altemus told us the story of how the fecal packets are disposed; and right on cue, the parent robin obliged us with an actual demonstration Inspired by this perfect timing, Dr. Glenn Peterjohn couldn't resist commenting that now he finally understood the origin of the robin's scientific name, Turdis migratorious. On Sunday, June 24, Jean and Joe Arnold, neighbors down the road, reported a Red-eyed Vireo's nest in the rhododendrons beneath their front porch. They had originally counted four eggs, one of which was soon replaced by a cowbird egg. But by the time the Thierys and the Zickuhrs were given the opportunity to photograph the nesting, the total number of eggs had dwindled to two, one vireo egg and one cowbird egg.

An Eastern Phoebe had built up her nest over last year's nest in the second girder underneath the bridge over the dam; as of the next to the last day of camp, the nest was empty and the phoebe was gone. Beyond the dam, while we were hiking up to Foster's Fissures, Don noticed an Eastern Wood Peewee perched on the top of a short post-like stump just on the edge of the path; within a couple of minutes he was able to point out the peewee in the act of building its nest in the forked branch of a red oak tree. A hummingbird's nest was reported across the lake, but we just didn't have the time to seek this one out.

Nesting activity was just as prolific in the immediate area of the camp itself. Ellen and Glenn found a Scarlet Tanager nest in a larch tree on the western side of the peninsula, and Don found a Cedar Waxwing nest in the larch tree closest to the men's John. Don is sure of at least three Gray Catbird nests around the upper edges of the peninsula and a Wood Thrush nest back of the cook's latrine, and Ellen suspects a Catbird nest in the woods near the camp entrance just east of the driveway; but the exact location of these nests were not pinpointed. Two Robin nests were discovered, one in the white oak where the driveway meets the gravel road, and the other in a white oak near the first bend in the gravel road, on the left, heading west. These last two nests were both sighted on the last day of camp, the first one on the morning bird walk, and the second one by Ellen on her breeding bird census. The male and female American Goldfinch and Common Yellowthroat were seen cavorting about the area beyond the campfire- circle where the telephone poles are, but no nesting activity was noted. The best kept secret of these two weeks, though, was Don's discovery of a Chestnut-sided Warbler's nest, sitting just about waist high in a sapling near the women's latrine. Don gave her a chance to lay all her eggs and acquire an attachment to her nest before giving a few people a look. She had lain four eggs in all, but by Friday of the second week, only two remained, and these were still warm.

We saw several young birds, especially during the second week, mostly robins awkwardly fluffing their feathers and nearly tailless baby catbirds. Lana Thiery spotted a baby catbird in a rhododendron thicket, frozen stiff, being yakked at by its mother to keep still; only when we backed away did she stop her squawking and give her young one the go-ahead to hop away. One morning, on my way to the showers, I watched a baby catbird being fed ripe service berries, sometimes two at a time.

In addition to the nesting activity going on, it is worth commenting on two notable events. First to be noticed was the unusual absence of the Veery from the immediate camp area for most of the two weeks. Although the veeries were heard from across the lake and in areas near the camp, it was not until almost the last night, on Thursday, June 28, that we could truly hear its song permeate the camp. The second welcome surprise was the first firmly established sign of the presence of the Solitary Vireo within the immediate camp area since 1948.

The rest of this report contains a breakdown of the birds into the locations in which they were seen: first, a composite list of the birds within the vicinity of the camp and where they were first seen; second, a composite list of the birds seen on the automobile field trips and where they were first seen; third, a list of the field trips individually and the birds recorded at each stop; and finally, a total composite graph.

I am particularly grateful to Forest Buchanan for his crash course on trees, to Martha Kulp, Ellen and Don for patiently filling in all the huge memory gaps in my field notes, and to Gretchen Fowler for her bookkeeping assistance with this part of the report.

Pat Bartolo

I.
Birds in the camp area and within easy walking distance of the camp.

II.
Birds recorded on field trips
in addition to those recorded in List I

III. Birds recorded on the automobile field trips and the two longer walks to the abandoned farm and Foster's Fissure.

A. Salt Lick (Tuesday afternoon, June 19, 1979)
Sharp-shinned Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk (both soaring above the entrance to the road, White-eyed Vireo (doing at least six imitations), Solitary Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Northern Parula Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Song Sparrow -- 11 species.

B. Cranesville Swamp (Wednesday afternoon, June 20, 1979)
Turkey Vulture (at least a dozen soaring above the swamp), Cedar Waxwing, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia Warbler (in the spruce forest), Black-throated Green Warbler (in the hills above the power lines), Northern Waterthrush (in the spruce forest), Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Swamp Sparrow, Acadian and Bluebird

C. Cheat River Stops, Cathedral and Swallow Falls (Thursday, June 21, all day)

Cheat River Stop
A Hooded Warbler being upstaged by a Black Rat Snake, also Sharpshinned Hawk and Broad-winged Hawk -- 3 species.

Limestone Cave
Eastern Phoebe's nest inside the cave, Wood Thrush, Yellowthroated Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Magnolia Warbler (unusual at the elevation) -- 5 species.

Seven Island Road
Red-tailed Hawk (soaring above our lunch stop), Eastern Phoebe (three nests were found along the road bank; at least one, which had one egg in it, was active), Yellow Warbler (in the woods by the stream near our lunch stop), Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Chipping Sparrow (nest in elderberry bushes found by Don as we returned to our cars parked along the road) -- 6 species.

Cathedral
Ellen's discovery of an active Solitary Vireo nest almost immediately after Don had located an old nest was the special surprise of this hike. For some time we stood in a "cathedral" clearing, completely surrounded by tall hemlocks, and watched the Vireo bringing food to the nest, feeding and warming her young, and flying off for more food. Also recorded on this hike were the Brown Creeper, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black- , throated Green Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler, Canada Warbler, Scarlet Tanager -- 10 species.

Swallow Falls
Eastern Phoebe, Wood Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Solitary Vireo, Black-throated Green Warbler -- 5 species.

D. Trip to the old quarry along Route I and to Worley's Glade (Friday, June 22, 1979)

Black-throated Blue Warbler at the quarry. Rose Pagonia orchids completely overshadowed the birds at Worley's Glade.

E. Hike to the area behind the dam to the old abandoned pond (Saturday morning, June 23, 1979)
Black and White Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler,(on the slope above the pond), Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler (this was specially neat to hear one Hooded Warbler singing its morning song on one side of the path and another singing its afternoon song on the other side of the path; you really didn't have to check your watch, but those who did found the birds to be right on time, 12:05 p.m.), Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting

F. Hike along Pine Run (Monday afternoon, June 25, 1979)
Eastern Wood Peewee, Veery, Solitary Vireo, Black-throated Blue Warbler. Black-throated Green Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Eastern Meadowlark, Rufous-sided Towhee, Chipping Sparrow. -- 10 species . On the way home we stopped along a farm road. We saw an old Bluebird nest in the cavity of a wooden fencepost, thanks to Dottie Sanders' familiarity with Preston County. We also watched Cliff Swallows and Barn Swallows along the roadside rolling mud in their bills for their nests in a barn nearby. Further down the road, we saw an Eastern Kingbird perched on the wire ,-- 3 species.

G. Ellen's Geology trip to the railroad cut (Tuesday, June 26)
Killdeer, American Robin, Solitary Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Rufous-sided Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow -- 7 species.

H. Alpine Lake (Tuesday afternoon, June 26)
Turkey Vulture, Eastern Kingbird (we watched this one snatch dragonflies out of mid-air, lose one, and swoop to catch it again; and we watched it skim the top of the pond for insects), Great crested Flycatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Golden-winged Warbler (heard from Martha's car and also from PW's van), Black-throated Green Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Rufous-sided Towhee, Savannah Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow -- 16 species.

I. Hike to Glover's Knob (Tuesday evening, June 26)
Great-crested Flycatcher, Black-throated Green Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Ovenbird, Savannah Sparrow -- 5 species

J . Peddler's Glory (all day Wednesday, June 27)
Don found an Acadian Flycatcher's nest after the chipping or a nervous bird aroused his suspicions. Earlier Martha and Ellen had found a Red-eyed Vireo's nest, but were unable to determine whether it was active. The indisputable highlight of this four-mile hike was the long look we were able to get of the Kentucky Warbler, both male and female. There was, unfortunately, no time to spare to hunt for the nest which was surely in the area, especially since the female was doing her broken-wing act. Other species at Peddler's Glory included the Ruffed Grouse, Black-billed Cuckoo, Cliff Swallow, Common Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Wood Thrush, Solitary Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Hooded Warbler (singing its afternoon song in the morning), American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Rufous-sided Towhee, Song Sparrow -- 17 species including the Cuckoo.

K. Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods (all day Thursday, June 28)
Stop at Backbone Mountain (overlook hazy) Wood 'Thrush, Veery, Red-eyed Vireo, Indigo Bunting -- 4 species.

Fairfax Stone Picnic Stop
We went looking for orchids here, saw several plants, and then luckily discovered one in bloom, but that one Large Round-leafed Orchid made everyone's day. It was Glenn who first spotted the pair of Dark-eyed Juncos at this stop. Since the birds were acting very nervous, it was obvious that their nest was close. So Don backed us off to the edge of the road to give them room. Sure enough, one with food in its mouth soon dropped to the ground - and there they were -four babies nestled beneath the ground pine and dead-leaved forest floor beneath a wild cherry sapling. Other species at this site were the Wood Thrush, Veery, Scarlet Tanager, Purple Finch (heard along the road between this stop and the next).

Monongahela National Forest Area
The little jewel in this stop, apart from the spectacular display of pitcher plants in the bog, was the flute-like lure of the Hermit Thrushes far off in the distance. We meant to return later, and a few of us could not resist the impulse to keep that promise, despite a light steady rain that had begun to fall. So there we stood at twilight in the drizzle, feeling very much like eavesdroppers and very lucky to be stealing some of their magic again. A lot of birds at this stop: Ruffed Grouse and two chicks, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Wood Thrush, Veery, Solitary Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blackthroated Blue,Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Rufous-sided Towhee ... and a Raven! Chimney Swifts were seen on the road between this stop and the next -- 16 species.

Blackwater Falls
Turkey Vulture, Winter Wren, Black-throated Green Warbler --3 species.

Canaan Valley Overlook
Red-eyed Vireo

Drive from the overlook into the Canaan Valley until we reached Laneville Road, the road to Dolly Sods
Turkey Vulture, Barn Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, Starling, Yellow Warbler, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Indigo Bunting, American Goldfinch -- 11 species.

Hike in the Dolly Sods Area (Up the hill from the picnic site)
Blue Jay, American Robin, Hermit Thrush, Solitary Vireo, Blackthroated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow ... and a Bufo Fowler's Toad that was adopted into the bird report at the campfire.-- 10 species counting the Fowler's Toad.

Bear Rocks
American Robin, Common Yellowthroat, Rufous-sided Towhee, Song Sparrow and two Ravens -- 5 species.

Driving Home through Davis, WV
Common Nighthawk

L. Second Trip to Salt Lick (Friday morning, June 29)

We returned to search out the salamanders and ring-necked snakes since we had a herpetologist, Jim Fowler, to really teach us things firsthand . While our eyes were focusing on rocks and puddles we heard the Black-capped Chickadee, Wood Thrush, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Rufous-sided Towhee and Song Sparrow.-- 8 species.

M. Hike to Foster's Fissures (Friday afternoon, June 29)
A downpour cut this walk short, or we would have seen more than the Eastern Peewee (whose nesting was mentioned in the introduction), the Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Veery, Black and White Warbler, Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler and Rufous-sided Towhee ---- 8 species.

Report prepared by Pat Bartolo
July 4, 1979
from notes kept by Pat Bartolo

CAMP ROSTER

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