Last Sunday, we decided to get off the couch and do something active for a change!
We drove for over an hour (and got lost several times!) until we finally hit the Cache River State Natural area.
The long ride didn't seem to agree with Pico and he managed to throw up some disgusto-smelling stuff several times inside the car.
The long ride didn't seem to agree with Pico and he managed to throw up some disgusto-smelling stuff several times inside the car.
So our first job was to clean up the mess!
Once we were done with that, we proceeded on our hike as planned, since all that throwing up didn't seem to have affected Pico in any way!
Once we were done with that, we proceeded on our hike as planned, since all that throwing up didn't seem to have affected Pico in any way! The Heron Pond trail and the Litle Black Slough Trail began with a fantastic truss bridge over the Cache River and I had a field day taking photographs.
Pico had a blast following his nose as we drank in the painted green canvas buzzing with life all around us.
Pico had a blast following his nose as we drank in the painted green canvas buzzing with life all around us. Situated within a floodplain that was carved out centuries ago by Ohio River's glacial floodwaters, this natural area boasts the most massive and beautiful Cypress trees.
There's a sign that calls them "trees with knees" since no other tree has "knees" like the Cypress when it grows in wet, swampy conditions, apparently.
But what really stood out on the trail was a floating boardwalk kind of setup right in the middle of the swampy Cypress pond at Heron Pond.
On one hand, it gave us a chance to observe and appreciate relatively undisturbed wetland and aquatic ecosystems.
On the other hand, it gave us a genuine "Oh my God!" moment - when we just stood there awestruck by the sheer beauty surrounding us on all sides.
The secluded depths of this forested swamp, seemed to have a rhythm and life of its own.
The trees formed a canopy above us and since sunlight had to squeeze its way in, there seemed to be an eerie but beautiful greenish glow - caused by all the duckweed and other green forms all around.
We ended the trail by looking at a bald cypress tree that has earned the title of "State Champion" due to its massive trunk girth, awe inspiring height and heavily branched canopy.
It was a sight to behold.
There's a sign that calls them "trees with knees" since no other tree has "knees" like the Cypress when it grows in wet, swampy conditions, apparently.
But what really stood out on the trail was a floating boardwalk kind of setup right in the middle of the swampy Cypress pond at Heron Pond.On one hand, it gave us a chance to observe and appreciate relatively undisturbed wetland and aquatic ecosystems.
On the other hand, it gave us a genuine "Oh my God!" moment - when we just stood there awestruck by the sheer beauty surrounding us on all sides.
The secluded depths of this forested swamp, seemed to have a rhythm and life of its own.The trees formed a canopy above us and since sunlight had to squeeze its way in, there seemed to be an eerie but beautiful greenish glow - caused by all the duckweed and other green forms all around.
We ended the trail by looking at a bald cypress tree that has earned the title of "State Champion" due to its massive trunk girth, awe inspiring height and heavily branched canopy.
It was a sight to behold.
2 comments:
The champion tree was a cherry oak and not a cypress. And definitely not bald.
Ooops, my bad! Yeah the champ tree was a Cherry Oak. Finally my hsuband comments, only to correct me. Sheesh! :)
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