Zim Zim Creek!

Charlotte and I ventured up Zim Zim Creek Trail this past weekend.  It is one of my favorite hikes.  We only saw 2 others on the trail and the air is so peaceful and quiet there, it is wonderful.

At the start of the trail was the infamous Hedge Apple tree that boggled the minds of me and my dad when we first saw it.  Another healthy crop of fruit was scattered on the ground.  It isn't really edible, the pulp is woody rather than juicy, and it has a latex content that is not typically what you want in a food, but I have used zest of it's peel in a "gruit" style beer I have made.

Further up the trail we encountered another curiosity....

Perplexed by it's unique and imagination-inspiring shape, we searched around for clues of what it could be.  When we saw these hand-shaped secondary leaves beginning to form on some of them, we realized they were lupine seedlings!

There is one plant I was particularly looking forward to saying hello to, and it is a certain currant bush that has the most refreshing fragrance on a cool winter day, sage-y and herbal and also lemon-y and refreshing.  It resides on the bank of Zim Zim Creek and is just starting to leaf out in January.  I used some of these sticky and fragrant new leaves in my last gruit.  I believe the species is Ribes malvaceum aka Pink Chaparral Currant, much more fragrant than other currants.

An outstanding serpentine specimen.

And an ostentatious moth perched below it.

Oaks dancing, reaching, depicting time in their own way.

Panoramic view of Zim Zim Falls (on right-hand side of picture)

Bein' cute!

Selfies taken, sandwiches eaten, universe pondered, we head back down the trail...

Undeterred by death, this oak continues its dance... just a little bit closer to the ground.

That feeling when... the world seems to be slipping through your fingers, but you still have your friends and family

Colorful moss

Colorful grass

All in all, a wonderful day!