The Horse

The pictures in this post were taken in September

I bet you didn't expect a story about "The Horse" to start out with me holding a kayak paddle.

I'm sure no one remembers, but I posted about a paddle I took in the waters of the Southeast Arm where I discovered a little area full of horse trails amongst other things.

Our home is just across the water!

I went back in September to explore a little more and see if I could get a glimpse of the horse.

horse trail through the woods

We'd had a lot of rain and the ground had been sloppy in spots on my previous visit so I made sure to wear my boots. Mud and droppings added to the fun.  Good boots are a must in Newfoundland!

All that rain was good for the fungi, and I saw quite the variety out there.

Those new boots of mine were just the ticket to get me across the wetlands to where I'd spotted the horse from our boat. When I went shopping I just went ahead and bought a pair of mens boots, they just don't think women need gear as durable for some reason.

There was so much water I was surprised I didn't see fish swimming around my ankles!

Ferns on the left, large patch of blue flag iris on the right

It was a bit early yet for real fall color, but the ferns were putting on a good show so I made sure to get close enough to get a picture which was a feat without having to go for a swim.

And when I turned around, there was the horse, watching me from the edge of the woods!

I'm told one of the locals brings it out for the summer to pasture there and it just stays in that area, munching away on all the nice grass.  I gave him his space and moved back to the shore and headed back toward my kayak.

I crossed a nice little stream and next time I'll see how far I can follow it back into the thick woods.

More stories to come before I get caught up!

Woodsy Days Gone By

I saw a bear in the woods back before the leaves and the snow both fell.  He just stood still and let me pass by.

I got one final night in at Potawatomi State Park in Door County before the end of October and slept on a carpet of gold. Now the trees are bare and the ground is carpeted in heavy wet snow so tent season is done for 2018.

On my walk in Potawatomi State Park I saw one of the largest bear tooth fungi I've seen, at least I think that's what it was - it was a little taller than me.

Fungi were everywhere thanks to all the damp this year.  After a surprising number of snow days here in Wisconsin for November we've been experiencing steady rain for the last 48 hours.  I'm sure that means ice will soon follow unfortunately.

As I drove through Sauk City I spotted a mural that was done for their sesquecentennial.  It is the oldest incorporated village in the state of Wisconsin and lies on the Wisconsin River.  That region saw a lot of flooding this this year, I believe both the Wisconsin River and the Baraboo River reached the major flooding stage.  I've never seen such widespread flooding in the state - from La Crosse in the west to Madison and Baraboo in the central part of Wisconsin to the far north border at Ashland everyone has been struggling to stay afloat this year.

Sauk City Sesquecentennial

Sorry to sound so gloomy, the weather must be affecting my normally cheery disposition!
Linking up to Monday Mural

The Tour Continues - Upper Latourell Falls Hidden Treasures

the Historic Columbia River Highway Bridge at Latourell Falls

The trail we hiked from Lower Latourell Falls to Upper Latourell Falls was a loop that eventually brought us right back to where we started so I got to see the Lower Falls twice and from a different angle.  Hey, no complaints here, it was an absolutely stunning waterfall and my favorite one I saw on my whole trip!  But the hike itself was pretty special also, with much to see along the way.  Roll that beautiful forest footage...

Moss draped trees - those on left most likely Cedar

When looking for information on types of mosses I eventually stumbled upon the Willamette Forest page which was very informative.  For instance, did you know that mosses are called bryophytes?

Probably Neckera - a genus common in PNW forests on conifer & hardwood trees

Besides lots and lots of bryophytes my eye caught a few early spring wildflowers poking their little heads up, including this small patch of very early Trillium!  Not the prettiest bunch ever, they were a bit drenched, but an exciting discovery for so early in March.

Let me say this, compared to lichen identification mosses are hard! I might have to buy a guidebook and take it into the woods with me the next time I go.  I can't see enough in the photo below to feel half-way confident in attempting an identification.  But look at how cute that fungus is!

Over by the Upper Falls my eye caught this tiny sprout pushing its way up.  Turned out really nice for a hand held shot, it just sums up this time of year when the forest floor reawakens.

The Cedar trees were massive in spots on the trail, the trail itself was moderately difficult due to the steady incline, but nothing almost anyone couldn't do with some time and patience.  It was fun hiking with Linda again - she had lots to say and point out along the way which was good because I forgot to use my inhaler and I needed all my oxygen for moving uphill!

  

Admire Linda's new backpack as well as the trees please

When we arrived at the Upper Falls there was only 2 other folks approaching from the other direction.  Nice and peaceful, we got our shots in and moved along over the bridge so they could enjoy it also.

On the other side a gentleman came around the trail bend and offered to take our photograph with Linda's cell phone.  Thank you, Stranger, for neither of us lazy photographers dragged along a tripod for this hike!

Boot twins

We also both drop our lens caps in the dirt often, struggle in deciding which camera equipment to bring along and have been known to climb around off trail looking for that perfect angle.  Though we did restrain ourselves from clambering around like monkeys on this particular day.  And, we both have the same hiking boots because I got mine 3 and a half years ago on her recommendation!

She took me on a few more short hikes that day, so more to come.  Here's one last shot below of the Lower Latourell Falls that  we saw as we finished up the loop.  I took it using my new iPhone X and in general I haven't liked the outdoor shots with the new phone's camera, but this one turned out great for a phone image.

Pennsylvania State Park Sampler

Of course I made time to stop at a few state parks when we were in Pennsylvania.

Linn Run State Park

Linn Run State Park had ample picnic areas, along with cabins for rent and a few trails.  I walked over to Adams Falls from the picnic area where I saw the mushrooms, but alas the streambeds and waterfall were dry!

Spruce Flats Bog

Nearby Laurel Summit State Park is home to Spruce Flats Bog, not something I was expecting! From the parking area you can take a trail off into the woods for a hike or take the short gravel path to the bog.

As much as I love a hike, I couldn't resist the opportunity to take some pictures at the bog which contains large cranberry, pitcher plant, sundew, cotton grass, and other plants that remind me of times spent in Newfoundland.

Keep your eyes open in the early fall when you pass through the woods no matter which state you are in to see those fungi communities spring to life!

When I was passing through Quakertown I stopped at Nockamixon State Park for a half hour walk on the Sterner Mill Trail.

The trail was slippery from a recent rain, but the droplets on the Jewel Weed made a lovely sight.

Again, my eye was drawn to the fungi, here a lovely orange jelly variety.

I almost stepped on the tortoise on the trail, his shell looked like a rock!  I picked him up and moved him to a safer spot, hoping he was healthy enough to keep going.

Cook Forest State Park was probably the park with the best trail system, though I didn't get as much time to explore as I would have liked.

The North Country Trail passes through the lovely forest of old growth white pine and hemlock, where ferns look tiny compared to the large trees.

I was delighted to spot a small patch of Toothed Jelly Fungus (Pseudohydnum gelatinosum), I haven't seen one of those since a hike along the Alum Cave Trail in the Smokies in 2014!

I got a good stretch for my legs here, climbing up and down the banks to get a good shot of the trees down across the water.

While clambering around I found more fungi...

And even a spider patiently waiting for dinner to be delivered!

All that's left of our time in Pennsylvania last month is some murals I believe, yes, I did find some of those too!

Nothing in there, just Nature

I was up early this morning to drive out to Butter Pot Provincial Park which is less than a half an hour drive from St. John's.  We always speed right by on our way out to see the relatives, but without Wayne along on this trip I finally had time to stop.  This is what I found.

Apparently all is closed up by October.  A gentleman happened to be parked outside the gate when I arrived and when I asked about going in he told me "Nothing in there, just nature."  I don't know who was more perplexed, me or him!

Just a five minute walk from the blocked entry I found access to ski trails, making me glad I had given road walking a try.

"Bridge" was sturdier than it looked!

I found a few tiny late blueberries still on the bushes, and some mushy crackerberries (bunchberries) too.  But mostly I just enjoyed the rich profusion of reindeer lichen on the forest floor.

No snow here yet, but it wasn't much above freezing this morning!

Since no other cars were parked out on the roadside I assume I was alone except for the moose whose hoofprints were plentiful on the trail.

Pitcher Plant past its bloom time

I walked about 2 miles total, through the blueberry bushes, up over the root tangles, and around the edges of ponds.

In addition to lichen, the boreal forest is a great place to find fungi.  Most were looking pretty beat up, but a few were still looking perky.

fungi village going down into the ditch 

Even old Pearly Everlasting doesn't look too bad against a splash of red.

Creek beds are seldom dry in Newfoundland, and I got a wet knee when I knelt in the moss and forgot it would be like a wet sponge!

Yes, nothing in there, just nature.