Hot Springs National Park Entrance Blue Tree Blossoms

The morning is beautiful, the sky is a dusty blue in the Twilight.  A Tree that has sustained the park residence through the winter with clusters of nuts is blossoming.  Large blue trumpet blooms are opening to greet the morning sunlight.  The unexpected has made the start to my hike a joy for my soul.

As I hike over to the North Mountain I can hear the distant chatter of Blue Jays.  Heading up the Floral Trail I can see the golden glow of the sun beginning to pierce the new forest foliage.  The new green leaves are moving gently in the breeze and the air has a wonderful earthy fragrance. When I reach the Lower Dogwood Chipmunks are sounding an alert that echos all along the trail.  I briefly catch sight of one the sweet creatures as it is running along a log.

The park Spiders have all awoken and hiking is sticky as I become coated with the hundreds of web lines crisscrossing the Trails.  I begin to notice numerous large webs appearing, they sparkle in the light of the rising sun.  On the Lower Dogwood I am fascinated by the work of a black and white spider.  It has created a web suspended between two  small bushes that has netted (pun intended) a large quantity of  insects. The plants along the Upper Dogwood and Hot Springs Mountain Trail have been coated with silvery threads.  Amazing webs have been suspended between large trees glowing as if spun from crystal threads.

High in the Trees I can see Blue Jays carrying nesting materials, babies will be coming to the forest soon.  Spring is a song for the soul as new life appears throughout the park.  As I reach the top of the Trail I decide to take the Peak Trail down Hot Springs Mountain.  I see lovely Shooting Star Wildflowers beginning to grow on the edges of the path.  When I reach the bottom of the Trail I can see Wild Columbine growing at the edge of the Tufa Terrace. I Love all the Wildflowers that are sprouting along each Mountain Trail.

From the Tufa Terrace I  head to the Promenade, a group of young men ask if they can interview me for a video.  They ask me about my faith and I gladly impart my beliefs.  I wish Corey, Jesse and Josh all the best for their spiritual journey of discovery.  As I exit the park a Squirrel is sitting on a wall a head of me, it has the longest tail trailing down the stones.  It has been another wondrous morning in the park, thank you for coming with me.

Make sure you have time for a Nature break.
Love to You All,
Lee