Monday, June 7, 2021

Into the Forest we'll go!


 As long as there's a little breeze and the morning temps are still in the 70s it's nice to hike deep into the forest.


And nothing feels better than stretching your legs and looking at all there is to see on a beautiful summer day.


I made a pretty tree mosaic after seeing the one my blog friend made last week. Traude's blog is HERE


There's always a bird to hear and a few to spot in the branches.


And lots of wildflowers and butterflies. I even picked a few blackberries on this hike to eat on top of vanilla yogurt. Southern goodness. I can close my eyes and be transported to my childhood in Arkansas with the sweet and slightly bitter taste of the berries.


At the very end of our hike we saw Tommy the tortoise. We always look for him at this burrow but today he was at the top of the hill. 


It looks like my hubby is saying, "No I think it's safe to go this way. I don't think there are any bears down there!"


He stopped and got still when some bikes came along. But he didn't completely pull into his shell.


It was the highlight of Hike #84!


We'll keep hiking as long as we can. When we finish, the house is nice and cool and after a shower, you really feel refreshed and reenergized! 


What's new in your world this week? Do you have big plans for the month of June?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.  

44 comments:

Edna B said...

I love your mosaics. What program do you use? I may have to give it a try. Thanks for bringing me along on your hike. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Mornings are the best time in Florida to get out and walk! Great pictures.

Creations By Cindy said...

Look like a lovely day to do a little hiking. We got a little rain our way and I was one happy camper girl. My little veggies perked up! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Tom said...

...great images to go with Muir’s quote.

Kim said...

Love the mosaics! Good at encapsulating things. Your first sentence sounded like a line in a poem! How nice to meet up with a friendly tortoise on your walks. Like finding a gem. Happy Monday, Diane!

Inger said...

I love your tortoise encounter. My neighbor has an African one. He escaped once and came down by my dog run. The dogs went crazy, seeing such a strange critter. I love your hikes, you have so changed my mind about Florida.

Inger said...

Oh, plans for June. My relatives will take me to the beach in Malibu for my birthday. I haven't seen the Pacific ocean since I moved up here in 2006.

Martha said...

I love Tommy the tortoise, he's a handsome guy. Great mosaics and I love the quote. Have a great week! :)

Gillena Cox said...

Awesome turtle shot!!!
Happy Monday.
I am at #11 on the linky today


Much💛love

SImple and Serene Living said...

I think Tommy is just taking his time. It is rainy in Georgia this week so today I will walk the indoor track. Not as fun as a hike. xo Laura

Nancy Chan said...

That looks like a wonderful hike. Nice tree mosaics and nice quote.

MadSnapper said...

i am loving the trees and they do look so pretty in the collages.. the tortoise is so cute... as long as you go early, you should be able to walk those trails. back when i used to go with my friend Diane, early 2000's we went on Saturday am at 7:30 for the whole of the summers. but only did an hour or so

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

The turtles are too cute! Have a wonderful day, Diane. Stay cool in the forest!

Ricki Treleaven said...

I like turtles! ;P Have you ever seen the video of the zombie kid who says he likes turtles? If not, Google it because it's cute and funny!

Lovely post for Mosaic Monday!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Tommy is a handsome tortoise. I wonder what he thinks of all the folks passing by faster than he can walk. I imagine he likes being part of the crowd so to speak.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

It is so rewarding to read that you two enjoy the walks into the forest as much as I do...jp

Rostrose said...

I loved going into the forest with you and your husband! :-) I am amazed that the blackberries are already ripe for you - the flowering period is only just over here.
You did an excellent job with your forest mosaic. Thanks for mentioning me and my blog <3 Tommy the tortoise is a delightful guy - how nice that you visit him often and always meet him, sometimes in the burrow, sometimes on the hill :-D
All the best
and lots of hugs
Traude

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Love your hikes...and so happy you got to see Tommy the Tortoise. We have several gopher tortoise holes where we walk, but I never see them come out. I have seen their footprints in the sand, however, and would like to follow their trail to see where they end up, but it is usually to another hole in the sand. They must be visiting their neighbors. LOL. I keep hoping we will come upon one soon, but meanwhile I will enjoy seeing yours. It's been a bit hot and humid for walking, and yes, the deer flies are bad this year. One chased me down the road this morning on our walk. I finally outran him. I must remember to put on some repellent before we go. They really love me. Have a lovely week. So happy for the rain we've been getting too. Love your pictures.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

John Muir and the woods are a perfect combination

www.self-sufficientsam.blogspot.com said...

What great trails you have to hike. How far do you have to travel to get to them? Love the turtle pic! Too cute! I saw the bear sign. Do you carry bear spray? Enjoy your hikes!

HappyK said...

Nice job on the mosaics!! Loved the tortoise!!

NatureFootstep said...

great mosaics from your hike, And I enjoyed being introduced to Tommy. :)

Teresa said...

Por Extremadura está haciendo demasiado calor y cuesta salir a pasear, me alegra que tú, tuviste un paseo bien bonito. Besos.

Terri D said...

Well, my job is new. I don't have any big plans for June. I loved your mosaics and the turtle photos!! Thanks for taking us along on your hikes!!

Angie said...

Diane - I am so sympathetic about hiking in the heat ...sounds like hiking in the "cool" of the morning is a good strategy. Oh my, Tommy the Tortoise - he is huge! Have you seen him often? I can only imagine it is hard for a tortoise to survive, so at his size, he is a miracle! Thanks so much for linking to Mosaic Monday!

stardust said...

You’ve shown “losing one’s mind and finding one’s soul in the forest” on this blog. Tommy is so charming! No wonder it was the highlight of the hike. I think I know how you cared for him being on the road. Nice mosaics of rich nature, as always. Enjoy the season before summer comes with its full force.

Yoko

EricaSta said...

The sentence of John Muir is wonderful. We will see, what June and July bring. And wait for better times. But would it better?

Love to read your post too! Thank you for sharing.

Wish you a very good week. Stay healthy and well, dear Blogfriend.

Ann said...

Love the mosaics. It looks beautiful out there and a perfect day for a hike.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It would have been a great pleasure for me to have encountered the tortoise. My last encounter with tortoises was in the desert regions of the southwest where so many were killed by off-roaders it was sickening.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Wonderful hike and photos from your walk. The tortoise is cute, great sighting.
Love the photos and mosaics! Have a great day and a happy week ahead.

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Nice mosaics. That Tommy Tortoise is amazing! I hope he stays safe on the road and I hope cyclists are watchful. xoxo Su

NanaDiana said...

Don't you love that last quote?! Your collages are perfect and what a fun way to see what you are seeing...because so often we just see bits and pieces around us without taking in the whole vista. Perfect. Happy Hiking! xo Diana

Carla from The River said...

I enjoyed your sweet blackberry memories.
Say Hi to Tommy when you see him next. ;-)
Love, Carla

Jeanie said...

I love that John Muir quote. And you showed it off to its best!

Anonymous said...

Diane, love the quote! That turtle is huge! I'm glad he made it across the road!

Lowcarb team member said...

I always enjoy seeing your mosaics but the star this week is Tommy the tortoise, what a great picture of him.

All the best Jan

Olde Dame Holly said...

Tommy is a big fellow! May God bless him. I remember the blackberries from my hometown of Magnolia, Arkansas. And so many good wild foods! You are brave to go out in that humidity and heat!

Miaismine said...

So beautiful.....yes, one finds their soul in nature. :)

Vee said...

Now that's the kind of wildlife I can handle. 🐢

Beside a babbling brook... said...

BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eeeeek...

Eeeeek...

Eeeeek...

Eeeeek...

Eeeeek...

Eeeeek...

-grin-


🌿🌼🌿💛🌿🌼🌿

Red Rose Alley said...

That is one BIG tortoise. But he looks so small from a distance. I hope those bikers don't run him over. He looks young, and very attractive. There is much to see in the forest, and apparently we live in deer country up here, and have been seeing lots of them. I like your photo of the brown leaves and one tiny yellow one. It reminds me of Fall. The blackberries sound Yummy on top of some yogurt. I didn't know you grew up in Arkansas. Oh my, we learn something new every day from our blog friends. : )

~Sheri

LA Paylor said...

oooo the tortoise! turtle? your mosaics are well done and photos always beautiful

Jeanie said...

I can imagine how hot and steamy it gets in the woods with the humidity but your photos are great!

Small City Scenes said...

You always have such interesting hikes---thanks for taking me along.
MB