We got a much earlier start today since the Holiday World bus departed at 7:20 am. We dropped Mason off and were on the Ferdinand trails by 8:45 am. The weather was cooler and the sun was still tucked away. Our goal was to hike the series of loops without making a wrong turn. For added interest, I decided to document the mushrooms in the wild. They are so diverse.
The first was hiding like a chameleon.
So many mushrooms studded this log.
These mushrooms oozed off the side of this log on one side
and on the other end grew these button ones.
These were leopard twins.
and this guy had ruffled edges
He was shaped like a birdbath.
This reddish one had a bristle block texture on its underside.
A few weeks ago we crossed this bridge. Today we walked around it and crossed the river bed.
The droplets of water were so pretty and very hard to capture.
Both the doctor and I dubbed these as kidney mushrooms.
Who knew a fungus could get a fungus?
This mushroom reminded me of a birdbath with an enamel bowl.
Last time we missed our turn on the hike and I thought it was here.
It turns out this is where we missed our turn. Rather than going right, we continued walking along the fire path.
One of these mushrooms is hiding and the other resembles a tree stump.
On the bridge we found this unidentified bone. I wonder if another hiker left it for us to contemplate.
This mushroom resembled a portabella minus a bite
and these bright red mushrooms reminded me of video games.
I can’t decide if the ruffled edges on this one remind me of carnations or lettuce leaves.
This log features its fair share of fungi barnacles.
The best of the bunch might have been the last one. It was HUGE and reminded me of ruffles on a full petticoat.
We made record time hiking the full ten miles in a leisurely 4:15. We cut some time off because I walked and ate my lunch and because the weather was so much milder. An early start minus high heat and humidity do make for an easier time. Next time we may start in a different location or hike the same route backwards. It’s all part of the adventure.
unbelievable mushrooms….all in the same place!