Through a Forest Wilderness

"The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir

On a drizzly November morning, my daughter, daughter-in-law, and I joined a few other hardy souls (and two dogs) on a hike along some of the trails in Moreau Lake State Park.

It was quiet in the forest; the only wildlife we observed was a tiny chickadee and an obviously annoyed flying squirrel whose rest we must have disturbed. Dave, our knowledgeable young guide, pointed out the surprisingly abundant plant life tucked in among the autumn leaves.

Eagles, osprey, beaver, deer and other inhabitants of the area were not visible. The well-trained dogs accompanying our group were quiet, with no gray squirrels to tempt them into disobedience.

The fungi Dave displayed to us were lovely, incredibly varied in size, shape and color.



A carefully hidden geocache provided a bit of man-made whimsy, its artful case carved from a beaver-gnawed branch.


Our two-hour hike extended into three hours, but no one objected. It was a wonderfully calming and peaceful interlude in our busy lives.



My complete photoset is available here.
Read my daughter-in-law's more extensive account here

"In Wildness is the preservation of the World" -Henry David Thoreau