Rockhouses shelter mysteries. Some cathedral-like and big as a house, some lowly and discreet, these openings at the base of sandstone bluffs hold the secrets of ancient and extinct animal species and the archaeological past of our human ancestors. For millions of years animals and, later, humans found refuge from predators and the elements in these rock shelters. Certain plants called filmy ferns have also found refuge there.

For many in the mountains and throughout the Southeast, black bears are a most valued and fascinating part of mountain landscapes and ecosystems. They are recognized as iconic symbols of the “wild” and, more than any other animal, symbolize wilderness and the great outdoors.

The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is the only tortoise indigenous to the southeastern United States. It is a moderate-sized, terrestrial turtle. Adults range between 9 and 11 inches in length, with an oblong shell, generally tan, brown or gray in color.