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Hike One:
It is a sunny morning with a very light breeze, I love the feeling of the sun on my face as the wind pulls at my hair.  I enter the park and notice the lack of bird song, it is as if something is missing from my heart.  I head up the peak trail and notice recently downed Trees from the storms are now bleeding sap.  The droplets glitter where the sunlight peeks through the leaves to illuminate the trail.

As I reach the top of the Mountain I spot a lovely Red Spotted Purple Butterfly.  Torn by time and storms it is still a radiant flying jewel within the forest. Movement to my right reveals a delicate Black-Winged Damselfly.  It gracefully moves from leaf to leaf almost as if it is surfing upon the spring breezes moving along the trails.

Heading down the Floral Trail the I stop to appreciate the beauty of the Wildflowers.  Yellow Lanced Leaf Coreposis rise high to meet the sun, purple Venus Looking Glass and Twistflowers glow on slender green stalks.

As I head home along Fountain Street a sweet Squirrel is having a late breakfast. I stand in stillness watching as it dives into the ivy and comes up with a treat.  Inching closer I see it is harvesting mushrooms from beneath the leaves and ivy.  Last year I learned fungi are a favorite treat for our local Squirrels. 

Passing the Arlington Hotel I hear the sound of House Sparrow babies, along the balcony I spot a sweet bird on a window ledge.  I Love how Nature spills out of the park into the surrounding city.

Hike Two:
My beloved husband Rick is gradually getting his health back after a heart attack and kidney stone procedure last year. He is now venturing up into the Forest after being away for nine months. Our journey today begins looking up to see a spectacular Southern Magnolia in full bloom above our heads. Fully open it exposes anthers and stigmas of cream green and hot pink.

Insects are abundant in the late afternoon Forest, they dance across the new green foliage. A large Green Clearwing Dragonfly buzzes past and hides is a cluster of leaves. On the trail I spot a shiny black creature and am surprised by it’s slow movement. Research reveals this is a Sticky Salamander, it is the first Salamander I have seen in the park.

The birds are singing to the lowering sun as we finish a wonderful hike across North Mountain and head toward home. It has been a lovely hike in the Forest with my husband.

Hike with Joy in your Heart! Time to get out and play!!!
Love to ALL,
Lee