Field Trips
Bridgestone Firestone Wilderness Area - MAY 2004
In May of 2004 the society sponsored a trip to the Bridgestone Firestone Wilderness Area in Central Tennessee. We accompanied the wild flower society on the trip into this beautiful area about a hour east of Nashville. The hike went down into the river gorge and back up again. It was a relatively easy hike that lasted about 4 hours. Along the way we found many beautiful plants including several different kinds of irises and other native flowers.
Towards the bottom of the trail we spotted a lone plant of Cypripedium acule. It was a beautiful plant and strangely enough it had a white moth resting on the pouch. We also found another interesting little critter.
We made it down to the river and we were able to enjoy lunch and beautiful views of the river.
Down near the river, our guide led us to a couple of Cypripedium calceolus plants that were absolutely stunning. They yellow slippers lay down at the base of some piles of lime stone rock in a wooded area next to the river.
On the hike back up the gorge, we got to explore a spectacular waterfall.
Towards the top of the trail, Bryan, Gregg, Ed, and his Son decided to take an alternate path back to the top. After getting ourselves temporarily lost and debating the idea of circling back, we decided to press on. We were very glad we did. Toward the top of the trail, near the road, we found perhaps hundreds of the Cypripedium acule with dozens and dozens of them in bloom. They were nestled under pine trees growing out of the beds of moss and needles. It was a truly spectacular site, and was the perfect end to this society-sponsored trip.
