Spring Wildflower Trip 2025--Days 5 and 6 Maple Hill Campground & Deer Trail at Sharon's Woo Hoo Holler

above:  pawpaw bloom at Skinner Mountain

 Spring Wildflower Trip 2025--Days 5 and 6  Maple Hill Campground & Deer Trail at Sharon's Woo Hoo Holler

   One of the reasons I started taking a longer vacation trip during Spring wildflower seasons was the need to get away for a change of pace.  I needed variety and rest from the usual duties of home.  I made up my mind that a couple days this week I was going to do just that. I was going to let myself sleep in if I wanted to, and I did want to.   I caught up on some sleep.  I also enjoy just reading, painting, and playing games. I use the time in the camper alone to get organized and clean things up.   I got the chance to go through the camper and get rid of some stuff.   Clocks that have quit working, books that are duplicates, instructions for appliances we no longer own.  It seems our Home Away from Home has similar problems to our regular house.   I was shocked that I filled up a trash can with nothing but junk! Pieces of kids toys, dried up magic markers, etc. 

Clearing out the clutter and getting those chores checked off my To Do list feels very good.

  I got myself out one day at the campground and just took a walk there on the premises.   It was so pretty.   It isn't a long walking path, but it is attractive and feels safe being there on the grounds. 

above and below: two small pictures I painted just playing around.  

Maple Hill Campground

Below is the start of the walking path at Maple Hill.  Especially pretty in Spring. 

Below:  dogwood trees are so pretty! 

Below is a close up of one dogwood bloom 

Below: this is the view from the very back of the walking path loop.  

Below: the delicate samara from a maple tree

Below are some shots of the campground's newer sites. They got rid of the former cabins that seldom were rented in favor of campsites. 

Below: another view across one unoccupied campsite toward the other spots across the meadow.

Below: one last look across the lower end of the campground. The blue house in the background is Ken and Valerie's new house. 

  One of the other things I did on days 5 and 6 were to go shopping a little.  I have a weakness for pajamas.  I love pajamas and bedroom slippers.  I prefer shorts to wear to bed instead of gowns or long PJ pants.  I am very hot natured and burn up nearly all the time.  I don't wear long PJs unless it is  extremely cold.   I got some cute pajama short sets and some new bedroom slippers for the camper. I got a great looking coral colored sweatshirt for Spring.   I bought some acrylic paints I was out of that color.     It was a relaxing time and some days it sure feels good not to have a plan or anywhere I need to be.   

      I called Sharon up and made plans to come over to see her on Thursday.  We'd hike the deer trail at her place. I had never done it before.    We walked down the lane and hit the trail out across the length of her property. It was surprisingly long and especially pretty.   

Above: Looking up the bluff from the deer trail.  

Below: white trillium one of many on and above the deer trail.

Below:  Virginia bluebells were growing down close to the river

Below: the deer trail  leads to a drainage that runs from the road down to the river toward its far end. 

Below: interesting layers of rock near the far end of the trail 

Below: Sharon ahead of me crossing the sand bars created at rivers edge due to flooding 

Below: Looking downstream from the bank of the East Fork Obey River

Below: Looking upstream on the East Fork river

Below: looking across at the spring creek dripping steadily into the edge of the river

above and below:  some photos of the forest and sky today 

 Once we hiked the deer trail and made it back to the house we got cleaned up and went out to eat dinner at El Azul in Jamestown. I had not tried it before and it was good, authentic Mexican food. Fresh, delicious, uncrowded and a good price.  I enjoy Mexican food, but I usually prepare it at home unless I know the place is exceptionally good.   Thankfully El  Azul is neat, clean and the food is fresh and appealing.  I don't like Mexican food slung together with refried beans, guacamole, or too spicy.   Some of it I have trouble getting past my eyes even if it tastes good. 

   It was a relaxing evening with my friend and we had fun.   It was great knowing we had plans for fun the next day to look forward to!   

Below is a short video clip of a spring fed creek that was dripping into the river on the opposite bank.