Some mushrooms on a recent single short hike in Maine. These last ones are Black Trumpet Mushrooms. My wife's uncle picked quite a few of them, and I made a Shrimp/mushroom risotto using them. Sorry if I went a little overboard today.

Fireweed...grows wild all over Alaska. So called because it's one of the early plants to appear after a wild fire. The flowers can be harvested for use in nectars and jams and such. The locals watch it as a sign for impending winter when it finishes blooming.

Smudge went for a check-up today, and as soon as we put the carrier up on a chair, Bud went in it. None of the cats are afraid of the carrier, in fact, it's out all the time in the corner beside the couch. Smudge or Roxie spend a lot of the time in it sleeping. We put it on the floor after taking Bud out, and Smudge walked right into it, and off to the vet. He's doing really good for his age (16) bone mass is good, pulse is steady (they just love him, he's so good and calm, and doesn't flinch when they take blood out of his neck). They did blood work and a urine sample. His thyroid is noticeable though, and I'm expecting to have to increase his thyroid meds. He does need to have his molars pulled, so that's scheduled for next week. He's a good candidate for having anesthesia. Major bucks though ($1200). Maybe I'll start a go-fund me page!

Looking back, the road does not look like it is as hilly, as it felt, coming to the top of the hill.