Hiking and Horses

 
This morning we went to Joe Wheeler State Park for some hiking. I saw several more interesting plants (to share another day). First we did the Blue Loop Trail. It was about a mile, and was all in the woods. I took pictures of several trees that I have no idea what they are. Maybe there will be more botany pictures another day.



Then we hiked a trail along the Tennessee River that is one of the Alabama Birding Trails. We didn't see many birds, but it was a pretty walk, with the water in view most of the time. Right near the end I found a plant that may be a one-in-a-lifetime sighting. You'll be seeing that one one of these days for sure.



After we ate, we drove across the Wheeler Dam and stopped to take pictures. This one was a Tennessee Valley Authority project, and it's about 1.2 miles across, and 70 feet high. It's interesting to me how it's so difficult to get a sense of scale. If someone had asked me to guess how long it is I would have said about a half mile.



In the evening, we went to a church activity for the seniors at a ranch. They do horse therapy with all kinds of at risk people, and did a demonstration of some of their techniques. They asked for some volunteers to do one of the exercises. This lady is learning how to put a halter on Bud, the horse.



I especially liked this, because the woman in the pink blouse has Alzheimer's, and the staff people were really nice to her. Although it was a "demonstration," I expect some good things were happening out there in the field.



Tomorrow we head home. It's been a great week!

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