The weather hits 95 in the valley, so we decide it's a good weekend to hike upwards. We borrow our friends' map and head to the closest, highest mountain. We find little surprises such as patches of snow and plants we've never seen before. When I spot a snow patch from a distance, my first impression is that it's a man made piece of discarded junk. When we get out to hike, Que throws a snowball at me. Stunned, I wipe my brow of sweat, shake my head, and keep hiking...
These white wild flowers are thick in the shaded areas.
I don't know.
This rock is about 5' wide. No doubt El Big's answer to Andy Goldsworthy.
Our friends tell us to look for the shocking pink wild slipper orchids. We find two.
Beautiful cup funghi. Photo by Que
We soon realize there's a good reason why they call it Mossy Fountains. Photo by Que
Photo by Que
Wild asparagras?? Photo by Que
We have no idea what it is, but it's healthy and thriving in this particular elevation.
"Oregon Bounty" Our friends tell us to keep our eyes open for morels. Photo by Que
Yes, morels! Despite the blazing heat, we find a couple stray ones hidden along the shady trees. Photo by Que
By the time we descend, the skies turn grey and threatening to the little storybook clouds. This doesn't stop Que from stopping at the Dove Drive-In for a rootbeer float to go.
We return home exhausted and keyed up from our hike. Que and I sit on the front stoop in the garden and enjoy the light humidity and rain sprinkles, while sharing the season's first watermelon with some neighborhood kids.
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