Trail Art
I love random acts or art. Guerrilla art.
Here's an example Finn and I came upon on an early morning trial run.
My guess is that a tree fell across a trail; a chainsaw was used by a trail maintenance crew to cut it into manageable pieces for later removal. Someone in the group had the energy and joi de vivre to create a random work of art with the pieces.
Later on this run, Finn and I encounter one of the forest's less desirable inhabitants: Devil's Club.
The Cascade Foothills in Western Washington are full of this aptly named plant. They grow among the trees, alongside trails, and can reach higher than I am tall. Their huge, broad leaves make them instantly recognizable.
Why are they called Devil's Club, you may reasonably ask?
Accidentally grasp one and you'll know.
The stalk and limbs of a Devil's Club are covered with sharp tiny needles that imbed in your skin should you be unlucky enough to grab or rub against one.
I swear that any time I trip on a trail and reach out to break my fall against a tree or bush, invariably it's a Devil's Club. I spend the next several days picking its nasty needles out of my hands with tweezers.
Lucky for dogs they don't seem to be bothered by Devil's Club. I have to believe that Finn brushes into them as he leaps and bounds after squirrels and birds - they're so common in the forest here that he couldn't possibly avoid them. Clearly his coat protects him.
Lucky dog.
Here's an example Finn and I came upon on an early morning trial run.
 |
| Finn poses on trail art. |
My guess is that a tree fell across a trail; a chainsaw was used by a trail maintenance crew to cut it into manageable pieces for later removal. Someone in the group had the energy and joi de vivre to create a random work of art with the pieces.
 |
| Log Henge. |
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| New crop of Devil's Club. |
The Cascade Foothills in Western Washington are full of this aptly named plant. They grow among the trees, alongside trails, and can reach higher than I am tall. Their huge, broad leaves make them instantly recognizable.
Why are they called Devil's Club, you may reasonably ask?
 |
| A Devil's Club displays its thorns. |
Accidentally grasp one and you'll know.
The stalk and limbs of a Devil's Club are covered with sharp tiny needles that imbed in your skin should you be unlucky enough to grab or rub against one.
I swear that any time I trip on a trail and reach out to break my fall against a tree or bush, invariably it's a Devil's Club. I spend the next several days picking its nasty needles out of my hands with tweezers.
Lucky for dogs they don't seem to be bothered by Devil's Club. I have to believe that Finn brushes into them as he leaps and bounds after squirrels and birds - they're so common in the forest here that he couldn't possibly avoid them. Clearly his coat protects him.
Lucky dog.