Walking with the Wildflowers-Ralph Stover State Park

 A few weeks ago, while strolling through Ralph Stover State Park in Pennsylvania,  I stumbled upon a wonderfully miniature exotic world of wildflowers. The park is situated along the Tohickon Creek, marking the location of an old water powered grist mill that once stood here.  The terrain and plant life, both natural and man-made is other worldly.  

Suited for gnomes and fairies alike, these tiny flowers could be spotted everywhere, peeking out from beneath a lush green carpet. They provided dots of color in a landscape that had a few days before, been under water. 

 

There had been high waters in the area due to rain just a few days earlier, and both the ground and trees showed signs of being submerged.  Branches and leaves clung desprately to the trees as if they were trying to re-create one of Andy Goldsworthy's works of art. 
 
  

The plants and wildflowers however held their ground, and I was able to observe some really  surprising and beautiful varieties.

 Below is the photographic catalog of my discoveries.

 

A short hike over the bridge and up the hill, was High Rocks, a rock climbing site with magnificent views of the surrounding landscape and creek.

I had to be reminded for a moment, to look up from the miniature landscape that I had become immersed in, to the expansive view of Tohickon Creek in the early evening.  A perfect way to end a spring day. 

And for now, I will look forward to coming up here in the fall, to see the trees full of color and search for other tiny, unexpected wonders.