We saw rain (from tropical storm Lee) on RADAR, but nothing is happening. Cherry Mountain trailhead is just a mile down the road from our campground, but highway 115 is really busy, so we drove there. Primrose got a little scared that we didn’t set up the kennel for her and Catnip, so she came up loudly protesting and got a big calming hug from me while Tony parked Usain at the trailhead. It was such a short way down the road, I really didn’t expect this reaction.

We met a mountain bicyclist coming down the trail. We told him we were impressed! No way would I attempt that. Walking is tough enough. We also met a couple with their very energetic 3-year-old dog that was fun to watch. He was dancing around all of us, got some pets, then was ready to go, go, go.

The trail was pretty unrelenting in its march upward. Great workout! The trees aren’t really changing color yet, but we saw some really pretty reds in the mushrooms and berries. Apparently the Rowan tree berries are edible after cooking or freezing to break down the toxic parasorbic acid. Coming down is faster but harder on the knees.

There are so many moss varieties everywhere in the NE. They cover the rocks, and trees and make everything look so green. I’m fascinated by these tiny, ancient plants.