I'd like to preface my post today with a huge thank you for all the wonderful comments you leave me every single day. It is so touching that you like my photography and it totally rocks my world that some of you brave souls actually read my daily attempts to outdo War & Peace! It means so much to me. When you've written a long or particularly specific comment that bears a reply, I have tried to remember to reply in turn on your current picture. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day and giving it to me. It warms my heart and absolutely makes my day.

And now, on to our regularly scheduled post of the day!

One afternoon a couple of days ago, Steve surprised me by asking if I'd like to hike to the top of the nearby Lower Table Rock! At first I said it probably might not be a good idea because of the lateness of the day. It was already quarter to four o'clock and it got dark at about 5pm where we live in southern Oregon. Steve's face fell in disappointment but then I realized, "Oh! Why don't we just bring flashlights in case it gets too dark? That will work perfectly...let's go!" Happiness restored, we got ready to go and arrived at the trail head about 20 minutes later.

What a treat. I haven't walked to the top of the Lower Table Rock for nearly a month and it was wonderful to see how it had changed. Most of the trees had lost their leaves which covered the trail in hues of yellow, orange and brown. It hadn't rained all day but the soil was dark with moisture and water pooled in leaves. Along the way I spotted mushrooms of all sizes peeping up from moss and out of the moist earth. We heard unfamiliar birds calling and the twitters of birds that were settling down for the night. A grey squirrel ran up a tree nearby and sat in a branch looking down at us, tail flicking fluffily. What a magical time. We made our way quietly up the trail to experience as much as we could.

As cold as it was, Steve and I were nice and warm by the time we were half-way up the trail. When we l walked out of the darkening woods and onto the plateau, we had our hats off with unzipped sweaters. Our timing couldn't have been better. Our reward for a fast pace was a lovely sunset and Steve took some pictures with his phone to remember our twilight hike.

Steve asked if I'd like to walk around before we left but I knew how fast it got dark in the deep forest so I suggested we not dawdle. The hike back down was a careful one as the deep shadows obscured jutting rocks and roots but there was just enough light that we didn't have any mishaps.

We were both so happy as we drove back home. Arriving with monstrous appetites, it wasn't long before we were seated before our dinner—lettuce-wrapped burgers topped with bacon, avocado and red onions! What a fabulous end to our adventure!

Today's picture comes from my walk up to the top of the Upper Table Rock some weeks ago. I couldn't stop taking pictures of leaves of course. This beauty had landed on the side of a Black Oak tree's moss-covered trunk and almost appeared to be floating as it leaned against a clump of moss, held in place by a cane of poison oak. The odds just amaze me, but here you are! I hope you enjoy this fun find!

Pam, I hope that your day has been a good one. I'm thinking of you all the time and sending warm thoughts your way. :)

Explored on 12/13/18, highest placement, #4.