Sometimes an adventure, an exploration, can be so much more than that which is on the surface. A meditation, a recalibration. It's been a few years since exploring this trail, it's beautiful. Following the forest through scent is a curious approach and perhaps it was the freshness of the leaves mixed with the sun and warmth of the day that made it possible but it was pointed. The hay scented ferns (most amazing scent) lead to a hemlock - beech forest which eventually changed to sunbaked white pines that lead to the sweet scent of the maple dominant woods. 
Sedges, rushes, snake, turtle, swallowtail, and tulip tree blossom. We're in that beautiful fine line between spring and summer.

A heavy green blankets the forest holding firm the warm musty morning air. Cinnamon fronds rise up orange on green. At the opening, where the floating sphagnum begins and the forest ends, the damselflies dart, the breeze adding scents to the air. The twisted fronds of the cinnamon fern (frozen as they grew in early spring) still twisted, kinked, have unfurled into a mass of unruly green. The dragonflies on the boardwalk dance their acrobatic routine snatching unseeable insects from the air. The rains come and I leave.

A bounty of toads, blooming oriental bittersweet, sensitive ferns turning fertile, interrupted ferns, sedges, and Solomon's plume.

Prairie flowers are rising up, grasses are blooming, and beetles and bugs are enjoying the warmth.

While I do enjoy our Wayne County parks, it makes me so happy to return to Summit County and catch up with old friends - some of those old friends being parks.
Noah and I had some time to spare before meeting (people) friends so we decided to take a stroll at the Meadows of Munroe Falls. It had been quite gusty all day so the open field was a safe route instead of potentially dodging falling trees/limbs/ whatever. A storm was brewing but it looked like we had plenty of time. I should have known better as I've been caught out in that field on numerous occasions trying to out hike the weather.
Alas, we got poured on! 
But it's still a treat to revisit old haunts.
​Enjoy some photos from the day!

This first half of may has brought some dynamic changes. From flowering to full green leaves the trees are reaching their summer glory. We're on what I call bloom stage 3 of spring wildflowers:
Stage One:

• spring beauty, hepatica, bloodroot, dutchman's breeches

Stage Two:

• trillium, squirrel corn, trout lily, greater celandine, early meadow rue

Stage Three:

• phlox, geranium, solomon's seal & plume, mayapple, dame's rocket

We're also seeing warblers migrate through the area. Grasses are flowering, butterflies are reappearing - mourning cloak, silver spotted skipper, red admiral, tiger swallowtail, and dragon/damselflies are darting about!!
Flip through the slideshow to watch as things progress over 2.5 weeks! 

"The world's favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May."
                                                                  -Edwin Way Teale 

How very true it is. The miracle of spring is all around and it leads us to believe anything is possible. I don't know about you all but for me, these spring months are when I set my ambition drive to full power. Currently I'm planning my wedding, taking classes and teaching myself Microsoft Office and Adobe InDesign (re-learning and working my way to certification), I've planted another garden this year - even bigger than last, and still work at the cute little bookstore! I must admit I do feel guilty not keeping this updated as often as I had, and for not getting outside as much as I'd like to, but it's important to keep it all in perspective, I still get to go outside, and write, and cherish and embrace the changing seasons. It's all good. 
Do your best and let the guilt go.