A strange and wonderful day!
It was 5 degrees when I left Conway in the morning , but rose to 23 degrees during our hike. Plenty of sunshine but no wind, so the cold was very tolerable for this unusual 3 1/2 hour 3/1/2 mile hike through a Black Gum (Tupelo) Swamp area. with intervals of forested places and large tracts with Mountain Laurel as well as understory carpeted all over with Princess Pine (Lycopodium Obscurum)( Because one of our group is dealing with a pulled calf muscle we’re doing more flat hikes lately. To be in a mix of forested, swamp, even a man made dug waterway area was peculiar and fun. We spent time (otherwise known as “lallygagging”:) identifying various trees* (Red, White and Black Oaks, Red Maples and others all of various sizes, ages, and bark development. Among the shrubs were Spotted Alder, Smooth Alder, Red Osier Dogwood. ,Maneuvering through fallen trees hidden under tall grasses was a new experience..
Only one dog today. Deb brought Chance along but decided it was just too cold for short haired Annie.
Storm coming your way? Not sure what it willl bring up here but stay safe and warm during it. Penny
It was 5 degrees when I left Conway in the morning , but rose to 23 degrees during our hike. Plenty of sunshine but no wind, so the cold was very tolerable for this unusual 3 1/2 hour 3/1/2 mile hike through a Black Gum (Tupelo) Swamp area. with intervals of forested places and large tracts with Mountain Laurel as well as understory carpeted all over with Princess Pine (Lycopodium Obscurum)( Because one of our group is dealing with a pulled calf muscle we’re doing more flat hikes lately. To be in a mix of forested, swamp, even a man made dug waterway area was peculiar and fun. We spent time (otherwise known as “lallygagging”:) identifying various trees* (Red, White and Black Oaks, Red Maples and others all of various sizes, ages, and bark development. Among the shrubs were Spotted Alder, Smooth Alder, Red Osier Dogwood. ,Maneuvering through fallen trees hidden under tall grasses was a new experience..
Only one dog today. Deb brought Chance along but decided it was just too cold for short haired Annie.
Storm coming your way? Not sure what it willl bring up here but stay safe and warm during it. Penny

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