Hike Our Planet - @HikeOurPlanet

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This lovely morning hike was a three part Hike Our Planet blog including The City Cradled By Hot Springs National Park,  Knights of the Forest and Late Summer Hike Among Cool Breezes.

I knew it was going to be a lovely hike when the sun was shining through the cool breezes on Labor Day.  People were smiling as my husband Rick and I headed up Fountain Street to North Mountain.  It was wonderful to be hiking, many people were out in the city and park enjoying the low 60s temperature.  There was a festive feeling that only a cool down can create after a blistering summer.

Rick was is a particularly playful mood and had me giggling like a school girl when I was trying to take photographs.  You will find a couple of his wacky staged moments among my the posted Nature photographs.  As always he was a “Wild and Crazy Kinda Guy” and I will not be held responsible for the titles he chose for his images.

We traveled across North Mountain among leaves flickering in the cool breeze.  High above us a faint melody of songbirds flowed on the river of air blowing through the Forest.  When we reached the North Mountain Loop, Gulpha and Hot Springs Mountain Trails junction Rick let me bully him into hiking on the HSM Trail.  It is on this trail we met the “Knights Of The Forest” gracefully moving along the path upon their trusty steeds.   After a lovely chat we each traveled onward in separate directions along the summer trail.

As we were crossing over the Hot Springs Mountain Road to head down the Peak Trail a lovely couple strolled pass with their tiny Poodle companions.  Not long after we headed down the trail another couple passed us in the company of Prince a sweet Golden Lab Retriever mix.  I was surprised how all the Dogs were curious about the Horse scent on my hands and arms, they were full of kisses too 🙂 . Special thanks to the people who leashed their sweet companions today.  With Horses on the trails this was extra important for the safety of all enjoying the park today.

Nearing the bottom of the Mountain on the Tufa Terrace Trail we were watched with cautious eyes by a juvenile Mourning Dove and Mockingbird.  High above in the clear blue sky between West and Hot Springs Mountain Black Headed Vultures surfed in the strong breezes caused by Tropical Storm Lee.  From the Promenade view point it was a perfect day to appreciate that Hot Springs is The City Cradled By Hot Springs National Park.  As Rick and I are often asked why we live in Hot Springs I decided to take a series of photographs and allow them to answer the question.

It was a perfect late summer morning in the park and city.

Go Take A Hike!
Lots of Love,
Lee