A hike outdoors

A long and lovely loop walk (with my Nordic walking poles- they're great) through the NC Arboretum's natural areas buoyed my mood this morning. It was wonderful to be in a largely natural setting, surrounded by native vegetation and being able to listen to Bent Creek for much of the way.

Seeing the beautiful mosses along the trails, lichens on the rocks, and listening to the creek was definitely a tonic.

Very early spring wildflowers are already out.  This Epigea repens (Trailing Arbutus) was in full flower in one small patch.  So nice to see.

Trailing Arbutus