Loudoun on Earth

This is a checklist-like assembly of items to guide the habitat-builder through the seasons.  There are many benefits to living seasonally in one's diet and activities.  Not only does it help with staying in tune with nature, but by living seasonally, we tend to learn by doing and witnessing the changes and developments in nature.  Books are great, but being a first-line witness is preferable.  Sorry about the bullets-I know it is a lame way to digest info...I will morph into something better as time and inspiration allows. Autumn Apply compost Prune plants as necessary to prep for winter Emplace pollinator-friendly trees and shrubs Harvest seeds from vegetables from the most durable plants.  (note: by harvesting seeds from plants late in the season you are then benefiting from the plant's adaptability throughout the growing season.) Use leaves for composting or a leaf mulch pile (vice throwing them out) Conduct mower and tool maintenance (sharpening) ...

Loudoun residents and those nearby are quite fortunate to have so many lovely hiking trails in the vicinity.   I have used AllTrails as an app for getting to and fro trail heads, as well as finding parking and mapping the elevetion on a trek.  It is a useful application for planning routes and reading reviews.  Apparently, AllTrails updated their map layers recently (July 2018), though I cannot offer a review on that upgrade as I have not tested it. Some recommendations for day hikes in the Loudoun area (not comprehensive, just the basics): -One of the best places to see eagles is at Mason Neck State Park -Our favorite trails and scenery are at Sky Meadows State Park.  You can pick up the AT there as well as North Ridge Trail -For a nice challenge, trek from Sky Meadows to I-66 -A really nice trail off the AT is off Morgans Mill RD near Bluemont (39.072066, -77.912050) -I highly recommend Weverton Cliffs (you can park at 39.333172, -...