An extraordinarily large group of C hikers (15 members, 4 guests) joined a steady crowd of families at Big Hill Springs on one of our best summer days. Nominally separating into faster and slower, we spread out along the forested trail.
At every glance, bright flowers popped up into our view. Pink and white Wild Geraniums greeted us on both sides of the path. Wild Roses thrilled us with their abundance – not just along the trail but in immeasurable array into the woods. Near the stream, Potentilla (Cinquefoils) added sparks of yellow in the dark shade. Dandelions had their place, although one little boy was overheard convincing his mother these were snakes, not flowers!
While some bold C hikers scaled the Bill Hill, the rest meandered by the gurgling stream. Where the stream tumbled over the edge onto rocks, photographers knelt and craned to fix the rushing water into memory.
Reality returned in the parking lot, and friends decided if and where eating a quiet lunch was even possible.
