Scenes from a day off.

I took the NCLEX yesterday (!!), so I woke up today with neither a thing to study nor a licensure exam to worry about. I can check the results tomorrow morning, so hang on tight for the conclusion of that chapter of my career-change journey.

We're having absolutely GORGEOUS weather here in Raleigh this week (believe me, you should be jealous), so I spent much of my day out-of-doors at one of our favorite places, Umstead State Park. Being just a few minutes down the road, it's become our go-to spot for playing/hiking/running/camping/picnicking when we want to get into the woods. You just can't beat it when you want to maximize your outdoor time and minimize your car time.

I only had my cell phone with me for pictures, as my actual camera is sitting on the kitchen table, completely dead and begging me to recharge its battery. One day, Cannon. One day.

This was the first one I took. And I promptly sent it to Matt.
Who was at work. Inside of a cubicle.
I am not proud of my behavior.

Teeny, tiny toadstools.

Ferns are one of my FAV flora.
But what is that spiky-looking stuff in the bottom left corner?


Gotta be a fungus. Gotta be.


Blazes hold a special place in my heart.


Beautiful stone dam. Probably not built by beavers.


A gorgeously plush blanket of moss.


Another blaze. The sight brings comfort, even though I know this trail by heart.

Babbling brook. Chatting creek. Whispering waterway. Whatever floats your boat.

Bubbles!!

I know. Another one. I can't help myself.

Blazes remind me of all my past hikes - most all of them have been marked by blazes. On new trails, they greet you every so often to reassure you that you're on the right track, or to nudge you back onto it. Couple them with a map of the area, and I'm one happy clam. You know I have a thing for maps, right?

I hardly saw anyone out on the trail, it being a weekday, which I think is why I got to spy on so many different creatures: gazillion different types of fungi, squirrels, birds, and fish; 4 five-lined skinks; 1 toad; 1 frog; and 1 baby white-tailed deer. Needless to say, my cell phone camera skills were no match for most of these creatures.