4 October 2018 Maryland High Point

We have visited a modest number of state high points.  We were close enough to Maryland's to pass it by.  We met an older couple near the start of the walk.  They were on their way back from the climb.  We spoke for a few minutes and found they were on a journey to find multiple high points.  It seemed like a noble journey to us, and one we would enjoy.

There was of course a geocache near the high point.  It had a high terrain rating so we were expecting a brisk hike.  It was actually quite easy.

Despite the overcast skies, the views were interesting.

We were also hunting benchmarks near the high point and stopped at a boundary marker near one of the benchmarks.

After a long hunt to find the cache we moved on to the high point.

Ali at the highest point in Maryland

The view was good too.

The clouds we were watching finally moved in.  The day got really dark before the rain started.

The rain passed and gave us an opportunity to spend the rest of the day at a planned visit to Deep Creek Lake State Park.  We spotted an unexpected open ice cream stand on the way.  Saffiticker's was a pleasant surprise with tasty cones.

We were greeted at the state park by a great blue heron on a boat dock.

We stopped for a loop around the lake.  The lake is pleasant, but the area is heavily developed.  The sounds of roaring powerboats were intrusive even on a fall day in October.  In better weather months it must be difficult to drown out.  After the lake loop we retreated to a quiet hike in the woods.

It seemed as though the park added these planks to make the trail less muddy.  It was slippery this afternoon from the rain.  It must be treacherous with a little ice and snow.

The spaces between the planks were dense with rattlesnake plantain.  It seemed like an odd place for an orchid to grow, but the plants were very plentiful.

We finished the day on the trails in these woods.