It Pays to Walk

One of the reasons John and I traveled to D.C. and Gettysburg was just to get out and see forests- the type of flora different than Florida, which is usually sage brush and palm trees.  Fortunately by Sunday the sun was out and, after leaving our cabin, we drove over to Pine Grove Furnace State Park.  Ostensibly we stop there because our son Dan wanted to show us the iron furnace which has been preserved there. 

The furnace pictured above was built in 1764.  It was the age before railroads when iron production needed to be done where there were nearby resources of iron ore, limestone and charcoal.  Near the furnace was part of the Appalachian Trail which just beckoned us to hike down its tree-line path.

 

  The part of the Appalachian Trail in this park is located half-way between Georgia and Maine.  The park is also home to the AT Museum, which we did not see.  Maybe another time.  We were quite happy to be outside and walking!

Spring is well on its way in this part of the country.  Many wildflowers are now in bloom, including mayapples and buttercups.  Unfortunately we did not hike as long as we desired as we were on a bit of a time constraint, needing to get back to D.C. by evening.

Monday morning I was on my own to walk around the Brookland neighborhood where our son Dan and his wife reside.  John and I had already done one walk with them several days ago.  The homes in this area now have beautiful blooming bushes of azaleas and roses surrounding them, as well as flowering magnolias,  I just had to get out and walk some more to see them.  Just around the corner from their house I came upon this very colorful building.  It is the Pink House, home of a grassroots organization led by women to end U.S. wars and militarism.  They would rather us to direct our resources for health, education, green jobs- putting our resources toward life-affirming activities. 
Back at our son's home I had to take another picture of a spring beauty, which is the columbine.