East Tennessee Forest Walks

02/22/2023

Trout Lilies can be found throughout the East TN region in bottom lands. Head out on the trail and locate some. Please don't pick!

The leaves of Dimpled Trout Lillies (Erythronium umbilicatum) have purplish-brown spots that resemble the splotches on a trout, hence their name. They’re one of the first native wildflowers to bloom each year and a beautiful sign of the return of spring. Also called Dogtooth Violets, you can find them from February to April in woodlands, particularly moist bottomlands. Plants with two leaves will flower, while those with a single leaf do not. Dimpled Trout Lilies produce a large volume of nectar and are pollinated by bees. Across the South, they’re more common than the very similar American Trout Lily (E. americanum). Photo by Jason Hollinger, CC BY SA

02/21/2023

I highly recommend the River Bluff Wildflower Trail as an excellent excursion for viewing native wildflowers. The trail head is located near Norris Dam (driving instructions in link). It is a 3.1 mile loop with both upland and river bottom habitats. If you are short on time I recommend hiking the lower (left fork) part of the trail as an out and back. If you visit before foliage is grown in, from the river bottom you can see a sizeable keyhole rock formation on the bluff above. Spring wildflowers are blooming March through April. Trillium, Trout Lily, Dutchman's Breeches and Geranium abound. Remember leave no trace, and wear sturdy hiking shoes. The bottom part of the trail has some rocky and muddy areas. The river is close by and is pleasant to hear, take caution with youngsters, as the riverbank can be close to the trail in places.

Location: At Norris Dam Reservation on US 441 N of Bethel. State(s): Tennessee Counties: Anderson Longitude: -84.095179Latitude: 36.220442

12/27/2022

https://www.northshore.org/healthy-you/8-tips-for-walking-in-winter/

" There is no bad weather, only bad clothing." - Norwegian saying

Take some time to walk in the winter, it is an especially good habit after a holiday meal, or to keep your fitness level up during the holidays.

Take adequate safety precautions for yourself (and your dog) when walking.

Keep moving!

NorthShore’s online source for timely health and wellness news, inspiring patient stories and tips to lead a healthy life.

12/13/2022

Slow down.

12/03/2022

The health benefits of Forest Bathing have studied scientifically in Japan and South Korea. Book with ETFW to explore the health benefits of nature.

https://mommypotamus.com/forest-bathing/

Some trees have medicinal properties - willow bark was first used to make aspirin - but research says forests themselves may be therapeutic, too.

12/02/2022

Come book with us for your unique Forest Bathing walk. Your event will be guided by an ASCF Certified Forest Therapy Guide.

https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/thrive-together/live-well/forest-bathing-try

The Japanese practice of forest bathing — or spending time in nature — can help lower stress and increase overall well-being. Here’s what you need to know.

12/01/2022

Book with us for your Forest Bathing excursion. Contact us through Facebook for more info.

Visit these five destinations to practice the Japanese art of forest bathing.

12/01/2022

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19568835/ #:~:text=The%20term%20Shinrin%2Dyoku%20was,the%20atmosphere%20of%20the%20forest.

Forest Bathing has been extensively studied by South Korean, Japanese and now US medical professionals. Spending time in nature has great health benefits.

This paper reviews previous research on the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing), and presents new results from field experiments conducted in 24 forests across Japan. The term Shinrin-yoku was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Fores...

05/17/2019

She was my first. I decided she was a she and named her Celeste. We sat in silence for five minutes, me cross-legged on the ground and watching as tiny red ants crawled all over her. After a few minutes, I looked down and realized the same ants were crawling all over me, too. Already we had somethin...

04/04/2019

Examining the art of how trees can help you find health and happiness.

02/26/2019

Indoor Forest Bathing, NYC launch

02/21/2019

When the city of Melbourne linked email accounts to trees so people could report problems, they wrote love letters to the trees instead.

02/05/2019

She gets me every time...via Mary Oliver's "Upstream"