Tree fungi that looked and felt like plastic nubs

When I found out this week’s Photo Challenge was Unusual Point of View, I knew my trip to the Adirondacks would provide plenty of inspiration. With such beautiful nature all around me, how could it not?! The weather this week has been less than stellar. Prior to the trip, our hearts sunk as we saw a forecast of 7 days of straight rain staring back at us. Things have improved (a bit) since then, but most plans have been up in the air with the weather so unpredictable. Like this afternoon, the weather forecast promised a full afternoon of sunshine. And it was for about an hour, right up until we pulled into the boat rental shop and it started pouring.

Generally we like to ease ourselves into a vacation, but after learning that Monday would be our only good day, we figured we needed to at least get one high peak in. We chose the easiest, Cascade, though I still found it a bit challenging. It was my first peak and my husband’s 8th. So many people focus on the obvious points of a hike, mainly the summit, or stand out features like a stream or waterfall. I was more inspired by the lesser seen bits of nature. A patch of moss, the crack of swaying trees, a baby frog (that I may or may have not almost stepped on). So here I present to you my hike of Cascade Mountain, with a little of the less obvious sights.

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