AUGUST 2024
Roanoke Appalachian news
& DIGEST
Comet to Visit this Fall
In our star watch, this fall might include a special celestial visitor. After this year's Perseid meteor shower in August and Venus returning to evening twilight to end summer, our attention will turn to a visit by comet Tsuchinshan ATLAS. According to astronomers, this comet hasn't been to the inner solar system, where our Earth resides, in some 80,000 years, wow! Will this be a must-see event?
​
As most astronomers know, comets can be astonishing to observe, even by the public if bright enough, but can also be very fickle when trying to predict its peak luminosity. Much hype has been laid at the foot of this comet's anticipated show. Now in July, some astronomers have openly predicted that the comet is already falling apart and will not survive the close solar approach to come; however, others conclude that it is alive and well. Who is right?
​
No one is certain how this comet will appear if at all. However, its orbit has been conclusively determined which provides insight into when it will be best observed and peak brightness dates. It will, hopefully, emerge intact from its closest approach to the sun by October with a peak brightness around the 12th or 13th. This will be an evening event in the Northern Hemisphere. Good luck to everyone attempting to see it. Use this link to follow its progress every day!
Craig Creek Trail Bridge
A great hiking section of the Appalachian Trail starts at route 621 in Craig County, Virginia, but there's a glitch when heading north from parking. The foot bridge leading over Craig Creek was removed some time ago after being deemed unsafe by U.S, National Forest Service. Signs near route 621 note the bridge's removal, only 200 yards or so from the road, while other published material provides a 5 mile detour route using rt 621 and Millers Cove rd to bypass the creek crossing, or, hikers can just take their chances and cross the creek with no bridge. The images below show the old bridge and how the creek looks now.
Old Bridge
July 2024
The bridge was removed in April of 2023 and this river has laid bare ever since, which is nearing a year and a half ago. There seems to be no published information on a replacement schedule for the bridge or even a plan to do so at any time. It appears that hikers' safety has been kicked to the side, which is at odds to the Appalachian Trail's prestige. There are many instances when high water makes this stream impassable by foot or dangerous. Hikers must either take the risk of crossing the creek or detour miles on roads that incorporate their own dangers. The loss of this bridge is more than an inconvenience, and the construction of a new bridge should be a priority. This might not occur until there is enough public outcry.
Roanoke's Wasena Bridge
The Wasena bridge is used to connect Old Southwest with the Wasena section of Roanoke, overcoming the height difference between the communities and, more importantly, the Roanoke river. Removal of the old bridge began in April of this year and the time to start building the new bridge has come. Initially, the base of the new structure must be made secure which is made possible by driving metal piles deep into the ground. This step began recently in July and will continue into January of next year. The Wasena bridge area boasts a beautiful park which will remain open during construction, though all look forward to the bridge project's completion in Spring of 2026.
The Problem with Autumn Olive by Sally Shelor
As I stared out my kitchen window, the view that used to consist of evergreens, birds, deer and an occasional stray bear is gone. Now, I only see the invasive and fast-growing Autumn Olive trees. In less than 4 years, these Olive trees have taken over my once clear hillside, where walks and truck drives up my hill were easily made. Currently, most Virgnia farm owners and gardeners are familiar with the highly invasive Autumn Olive. It is fast-growing and can get up to 20 feet tall and 30 feet wide. When first introduced to the US this invasive tree was seen as beneficial because of the abundant fruit it provided wildlife and a wind break.
​
Olive trees consist of 2 main types: the Autumn Olive thrives mainly in the east while the Russian Olive has been more evasive in the western U.S. Both have menacing thorns poking from their stems although favorably they do produce yellow blooms and provide berries for wildlife. Originally native to Asia, the trees were introduced into the U.S, in the 1830’s to benefit wildlife and to repopulate barren forest areas, they are tenacious and will grow in drought and poor soil locations. However, it is due to these growth characteristics that have made the trees so invasive, entrenching themselves from Maine to Virginia and west to Wisconsin. They target many outdoor locations including woodlands, grasslands and open fields, such as mine!
​
Although beneficial to wildlife and in forest reclamation efforts, the problem with its unwanted encroachment into certain lands is exasperating. The Department of Forestry has provided little help with painfully slow and meticulously cumbersome ways to attack the invasive problem. They are invasive for a reason, they seem to outwit all our normally adopted control methods. Pulling them up by their roots only stimulates further growth. It’s almost like a war fighting it and I have grown weary. Lately as the hill to the rear of my house is overtaken, I find myself retreating to my front porch and leave the tiresome battle out of sight behind me.