Today was a day of discoveries that ended with heavy rain. Nancy found a black plastic garbage bag in her pack and a raincoat was quickly fashioned for me! (Others had remembered to bring rain gear:) Never have we seen the orchid “Rattlesnake Plantain” in such healthy profusion and in early, full bloom. Also lots of small red Pyrophilous fungi that emerge after forest fires. We had found it on another hike in the area and were happy to locate it again. Small white fungus like growths were scattered atop some of it it and we’re charged with trying to identify it!! (Help us if you can!) Nature always has surprises and we surely were impressed with a small tree that must have been adjacent to a charred downed tree and then not only survived, but righted itself. May we all be so clever and steadfast!! I hope that you, too, are enjoying this rainy respite from the heat! Penny 
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