Morrow Mountain for Judy's Birthday

Judy's birthday was last weekend and her great wish was to have a picnic lunch at Morrow Mountain.  Surprised?  Then you don't know Judy.

Her mom and dad, Jack and Thelma, brother Tim, his wife Renee, and their daughters (our nieces) Emma and Jessie joined us to complete the entourage.  As a special birthday gift to Judy, I'm including only one photo with her in it.  She despises publicity.  So most of the PR in this blog goes to Emma and Jessie.

After a fine picnic lunch from KFC, the girls found a shady spot at the mountaintop to relax in the shade.

Jessie noticed this cousin of our famous "Jack, Will, and Tom" before we even got away from the parking lot.

Emma gets equal time, of course.

The girls and Thelma joined me and Judy on a loop trail around the mountaintop.  This footbridge crosses one of the gullies cut by torrential rainwaters over the years.

This odd tree reminds us of the Slingshot Tree on the Farm Life Nature Trail.  It was just right for the girls to pose in the "V."  Maybe we should call it the Victory Tree.  Or Jessie might prefer "The Peace Sign Tree."  What do you think?

You'll have to look very closely to spot the skink (lizard) positioned vertically and well-camouflaged on this rotting tree trunk.  We saw other lizards and wildlife all about, as well.

Though there was ample shade all over the mountain's crest, leaves are still emerging, so there are patches of sunshine everywhere.  New leaves in the bright sunlight are a special shade of green.

The unusual bend of this tree trunk made a suitable bench seat for Emma.

"Me too, me too," enthuses Jessie, as she poses with her hefty pet rock. 

I know this patch of wildflowers looks planted, but honestly, they were everywhere.  This is their natural habitat and they just seem to do particularly well in this spot.

Here is the promised picture that includes Judy.  It was taken at the prime picnic area we were fortunate enough to claim.  Here's the line-up:

Front row, L to R: Thelma, Emma, Jessie, Jack

Back row, L to R: Tim, Renee, Judy, Ken

Before we departed, we did a driving tour of the campgrounds, where Judy's family did a lot of camping during her and Tim's childhood.  There, we were treated to a closeup visit with some of the park's full-time residents.

This photo was shot from our picnic site-- you see why it's "prime."  It couldn't have been a more beautiful day for celebrating Judy's birthday.  And because it's the closest place we can get a taste of the mountains, you can bet we'll be there again before long.  Any old excuse will do.