The Hiking Club convenes

Back in Tallahassee this Bloomingtonaut regularly hikes with a group of friends.  Didn't want her to miss out while visiting, so we took a few Indiana hikes.

One morning we re-visited a familiar trail by Griffy Lake.

You remember that the lake was drained for repairs last year?  Now the water is coming back, and the early morning sun reflected off the ice creeping up the shore. 

The creek feeding into the lake was full and flowing enough to have some open water, so I have great hopes of seeing the lake restored by summer.

Another morning we hiked through Leonard Springs -- a hike that begins with stairs going down the steep hillside.

Down, and down, with the waterfalls tumbling beside us, down to the very bottom of the steep valley that holds the park.

With all that water and a rare day above freezing we soon had giant glomps of mud covering our boots.

 

There were mallards peacefully paddling in the beaver pond.

           Love these quiet hidden places so close to home.

                                    
It was not so quiet in the University Arboretum where we hiked down to admire this colorful bush.  Besides the traffic zipping by, there was a mockingbird who fearlessly warned us off:  "No eating the berries! My berries!"

One day as a special treat for a Florida hiker, the woods filled with sparkly snow.

Every limb and branch and tiny twig outlined in white --wish I could get a picture that captured the incredible complexity and beauty of these winter woods.

Now my nose is cold and my toes are cold, and it is time to go back inside!