Karen and I met at Squilchuck State Park super early (half-past zero o'clock for night owls like me). The woods were deliciously cool in the shade once a breeze started up.

The forest is tinder dry, waiting for rain. Nothing much blooming. Tiger lilies and Honeysuckle flowers were brown and shriveled in the heat. I saw cute yellow sedums blooming.

"What smells so good?" Karen asked. Fragrant, white blossoms of short Spirea plants!

We turned around and retraced our shady route, rather than descend in the hot sun. Hiked four and a half miles. Drank ice water continuously without visiting the woods.

After the hike, I stopped for gas and groceries. My feet hurt, I was hungry and had to go the the bathroom. The trifecta of the over-forty female crowd.

Photos:

1. Yellow sedums.

Flowers blooming last year at this time:

2. Mountain Tiger Lily.

3. Mountain Honeysuckle.