Mostly mushrooms

Today's Happy Wanderers

Eleven Senior Trailblazers gathered to begin a medium-sized hike at the Lookout Mountain trailhead. I took the picture so I'm behind the camera, but our fearless leader, Joe (second from right in blue jacket), took us on a trip up the Rufus Creek trail for a hike of around five miles. We were wanting to make it back to the start before the forecasted rain hit. 

We had about a 1,000-foot elevation gain and loss, but the hike felt to be just about the right distance for us on a drizzly day with heavy rain a-comin' round the mountain. Around nine, we set out on the trail, feeling good about being together and being ready for almost anything. It was surprisingly dry when it started, and we even saw a few brief rays of sunshine. 

Yes, they are purple mushrooms

We saw an abundance of mushrooms of every size and shape. They have just recently sprung up out of the damp environment, and they caused much oohing and aahing as we admired them and took pictures.

Signage along the way

People who are familiar with Lookout Mountain could, I am sure, pinpoint our exact location from this sign, but it was all new to me, and I appreciated the signage to figure out where we were and how far we still had to go.

Now that's a lot of shrooms

This mushroom "village" was the most spectacular gathering of mushrooms I've seen in awhile. They resemble a condo of elegant domiciles, to my eye at least. I can just imagine little fairies snuggled inside, staying warm and visiting with their neighbors, maybe calling each other on their teeny tiny phones. And I would bet that this village wasn't even there last week, and won't be there next week. So ephemeral and lovely.

Forest sentinels

A hiker pointed out these straight trees, magical and delightful to see, and I felt happy to see them where they belong, standing where they have been growing for decades. I wish I knew more about trees, but I can contemplate their beauty and enjoy them in the moment.

What a pretty color

Just before we finished the hike, I captured this beauty, and sitting among its surroundings, I felt happy to be able to be a part of the scene myself. I also noticed that it was still not raining, but the feeling in the air was that it might be imminent. Just before we reached the cars, it began to sprinkle. Then rain for real, and we drove back to the Senior Center happy and content, with another great hike behind us as the windshield wipers swished back and forth. 

:-)