Sunny Sunday...

Yesterday was one of those days that, on the surface, didn't seem extra special.  However, it is one that I will remember for a long, long time...

 

We packed up our backpacks (or "haversacks" as Dove has been calling them, recently), and headed out to the trail...

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, I was infatuated with fungi...

 

 

So many varieties! 

 

 

curious patterns...

 

 interesting textures...

 

vibrant colors...

 

 

 

The world of mycobiota is a world unto itself...

 

 

and infinitely fascinating!

 

 

 

Perhaps next summer I will learn more!

 

Back to the trail...

 

The sun was shining through the trees and creating the most beautiful dappled light...

 

 

 And I beg to differ with whomever said "a picture is worth a thousand words," because this picture cannot do justice to the golden, honeyed glow that melted over the forest, from canopy to floor.

 

 

 

Dove and Panther spotted a love tree...

 

 

 

 

and were happy to find the little "log-cabin" bench so they could stop for a rest and a drink...

 

 

After a short break, back to the trail again...

 

 

 

 I hobbled along as best I could...

 

 

 

 

We were so happy to make it to our picnic spot...we have been talking about making it to this spot all summer after our neighbor told us about it!  It's not that far and certainly an easy hike, but for some reason, we hadn't yet made it up here!

 

 

We met an old and wise Grandfather Birch...

 

 

and if you looked at that dark oval of bark just right (the one in the center of the picture above), you could see Jerry Garcia's face...

 

Nothing better than a Jerry Tree to greet you with open arms when you reach your destination!

 

 

 

We ate lunch...

 

 

 

played with our new friend...

 

 

 

 enjoyed the view...

 

 

and spent hours building a beautiful faerie fort!

 

Front entrance...

 

 

stovepipe...

 

 \

 

firer ring...

 

 

 

 

 

No Faerie Fort would be complete without proper weaponry...

 

spear...

 

 

sword and battle helmet...

 

 

and, of course, the Royal Throne...

 

 

 

No, we didn't forget about the kids!  We made a playground, too!

 

 

 

There was a sudden, subtle shift...kids got hungry (again), we all started to feel tired, the sun began to sink...just a bit, but enough to let us know it was time to pack up and head home.

 

On the way, I couldn't help but notice all the signs that Old Mother West Wind is slowly blowing Autumn towards us...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just another day to count our blessings and give thanks for all we have...

 

 

~PEACE~