![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_large/public/profile_photos/558256_397550590305181_2061509537_n.jpg?itok=kL8foaPx)
North Country explorer from Spartanburg, SC
Today was such a good day. My kids WANTED to go hiking, and my son's 5th-grade class had recently taken a field trip to the Stone Valley trail. So, we packed a lunch and drove to check it out. The weather was perfect for hiking, not humid at all and a beautiful breeze to keep the bugs (mostly) away. My daughter had fun keeping track of the different maples (striped, sugar & red), and my son was happy with the occasional hill or steep section to challenge him. I got to see a lot of neat things, including some fungi and cool plants. Overall I am just thrilled that my kids are interested in hiking (at least for a little while) and that we live so close to such beautiful trails. We'll be back out again soon, I hope!
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Ganoderma tsugae
lots of moss & ferns
Kids still happy hiking
"Shoestrings" of Armillaria
A slime mold (need to ID still)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/20180625_123425_0.jpg?itok=oqyI87Kk)
![](https://www.natureupnorth.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_encounter_thumbnail/public/20180625_123538_0.jpg?itok=lxV7DR9z)
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Comments
Alyssa LaCoy
Beautiful pictures, Claire! Sounds like an awesome day, thanks for sharing!
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Claire Burkum
Thanks Alyssa!
Posted: