Stout Memorial Grove Part One

The next day was sunny and the forest had a different mood. We hiked into the Stout Memorial Grove from a parking "area" (room for a few cars) across from the Little Bald Hills Trail.

(all pics with my 18-55mm lens, though I did wish I'd bothered to switch lenses).













The fallen trees were really cool.



As was the light.



















Stay tuned for Part Two. . . .

The Big Tree and Coastal Loop

The Big Tree is an estimated 1500 years old. A group of people wanted to chop it down and build a dance floor. Now you can kind of dance around it, which is a much better solution. :) (The Big Tree and Circle Trail loop link).







The Coastal Loop and World War II radar station, disguised as a farmhouse. (read more here)





We found blackberries on the hike down. They were delicious. The stinging nettle near the berries was not delicious.











Banana slug.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove Part Two

(part one here)

I debated which lens to bring and if I should buy another lens before the trip. After looking at the numbers, I realized I couldn't afford to buy a lens before the trip (which also means I'm still taking recommendations for lenses!) so I brought my 50mm and the lens that came with my camera, the 18-55mm. I ended up switching between both quite a few times b/c I wanted the wider angle of the kit lens but also wanted to take pictures of Ansley in the mist and shadows.



She took a lot of pictures. I don't wonder where she gets that from.



The moss was amazing.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove Part One

We took our family pictures right off the parking lot to Lady Bird Johnson Grove. It was in the 60s (a good 35 degrees cooler than our house!) so we bundled up, crossed the bridge and took a hike through the misty forest. I love the ancient trees, the lush ferns, and the soft soil underfoot. This was pretty much my ideal hike- gorgeous, lush, peaceful, no bugs, no dust, and safe to let Ansley wander without worrying about her tumbling down a cliff or stepping in something disgusting.



Ansley's Halloween costume from two years ago still fits. :) The other day she told me she was going to be Little Red Riding Hood again, which is cool. Yesterday she told me she wants to be Yzma from "The Emperor's New Groove." I wonder how many other ideas she'll have before Halloween.









Ansley took over Aleah's camera, which Aleah nicely shared.











Posing. :)





















Stay tuned for part two.