Sunday - A Typical Day of Rest.

These photos were taken along near a local short-cut. Untraveled dirt roads are very restful.
A reminder to my fellow outdoors-people (is that what they call it these days?)

• Remember to tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back. Fully charged cell phone. 
• Always carry emergency supplies. 
• Water and a high energy snack are imperative.
• Emergency poncho.
• Whistle.
• Compass - learn how to read it if you don't already know. 
• TP - in plastic bag.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Bug spray. The ticks are supposed to be bad this year, so you'll probably want something with high DEET content. Or if you know of a good organic - please let me know. It has to be something that works.

If you're in NW PA, BEWARE OF BEARS! Especially this time of year. It's best to stick to populated areas until they've finished waking up.


Some photos of yesterday's physical therapy.

This was taken at the half-way point of our walk. Perfect place for a water break!

It's not a bench, but close enough for the likes of me. Full of woodpecker holes. A very nice straight piece of lumber.

You can see one of the uprooted trees in the background from that high wind we had two winters ago.

We call this one the Whale Rock. It juts it's nose out proudly and has a weathered hole right where you'd imagine an eye socket.

It's HUGE. and has it's own little micro-climate. Hence the thick, barnacle-like moss on it's underbelly.

Isn't it neat how the textures and colors of the moss on the forest floor differ depending on sun exposure and the mineral content of the soil?

The whale rock is on the North side of the mountain, this tree is on the East and basks in the sunlight for the better part of the day.

The first spring beauty detected. Pretty, dainty little flower with pink stripes on a white background. in it's bed of fallen leaves.

With the rains of the past week, the ferns have started to rejuvinate.

Large ferns were sometimes used as foundation plants on the northern side of a home. Even today, they lend a certain grace to the landscape.

While these have the look of "Adder's Tongue" from afar, I'm not convinced. The leaves don't appear to be spotted.

A second guess would be false solomon's seal - which should be sprouting soon - but the leaves don't have the typical ovoid shape nor requisite prominent lobes.

Unless you're a fast learner, it can take years to learn to identify flowers by their leaves.  Years well spent, though - right? 

The green certainly is a welcome sight to see. Doesn't matter if you like Winter or not. The change of seasons is always beautiful.

To me this says "Goodbye Winter; Hello Spring".

The sun is shining. Another beautiful day.

Enjoy it as best you can, folks! One of the last things Momma told me was "These are the good old days". Sometimes song lyrics get it right.

For my love: You made my heart beat fast then and you still do today. Five years of laughter, tears, and friendship. I wouldn't trade it for the world.