Canyon Hike!

 Looking below to the Canyon highway from up in the cave.

Woody mosses growing on the rocks.  

It's a rock moss,

in cushions, very branch-like underneath.

 I'm trying to figure it out.

Here is a photo closer up from another source.

If you know this moss/plant, please let me know in the comments.

Son, Sasquatch and Me.

While Hubs went golfing on Monday, I took a hiking trip with Sasquatch who lives near Spearfish Canyon.  He's a lover of the Canyon and hikes all over it, mostly with his dog, Hope.  He tries to find new paths and places to hike instead of always taking the established trails.  We went to what he calls No Name Cave, and we hiked almost an hour straight up over fallen rock and trees mostly.  It was hard work for me, but Sasquatch climbs like a mountain goat.  It was exhilarating and so fun to be hiking with my son.  He grew up learning local plants, grasses, and tree names and he has continued to discover and learn in the Black Hills.  I enjoyed talking with him about the plants as we went along.  Poison ivy was one that was abundant and so was the choke cherry.  There were many flowers just coming up, but not yet in bloom.  I told Sasquatch to send me photos when they are in flower.  He pointed out mountain snails among the limestone rock that only live in the Black Hills.  He easily popped off the name, Oreohelix cooperi, without even thinking!  We saw several along the way which indicates a healthy ecosystem, so the scientists say.  

Above all else, it was just great to be together.  The hike and sharing our love of nature was a bonus!

Now I'm feeling all that leg work, two days later!