Hiking to the shore of Grapevine Lake on a warm day in early June proved a bit of an adventure. With a couple of different paths to choose from after parking the car, the Big Guy ignored the map and headed off on a trail that plunged into the woods and meandered through brush and knee-high weeds before eventually emerging at the shoreline. I was walking a few minutes behind him, guided by his phone texts and a few ribbons tied to trees.  Once or twice I felt certain that I had completely lost the trail; but I had to admit I was enjoying myself despite the clinging humidity. There was just enough of an occasional breeze and scattered wildflowers to keep me going toward the water.

Spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata)

Paintbrush (Castilleja) near the shore

Prairie verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida)