We had planned all week to return to Mt. Pisgah today. It was not the warm weekend like we had last Saturday, but cool and extremely windy. After surveying our backyard, and re-covering the grill which had been actually been pushed across the deck in the high winds, we headed south.
The first spot of the day was George’s, of course. He pointed out these turkeys as we came around a curve on a back road, their tails fanned in display. I didn’t realize the bluish-ness of their heads till I saw the photos.
When we arrived at Mt. Pisgah, it was deserted, except for the birds. It made it easy to park alongside the water and woods areas without interruption.
Our list included Canada geese, a great blue heron, common mergansers and buffleheads on the water. In the trees and on the grounds there were robins, starlings, Eastern bluebirds, a mourning dove, a northern flicker, crows, dark-eyed juncos, chickadees, a cardinal, a downy woodpecker, and again, in about the same spot as last week, a ruffed grouse. If it were not for a flicking tail, it would have escaped unnoticed. Its markings are perfect camouflage.
Overhead George pointed out a turkey vulture, and we had a closeup opportunity further down the road. It was preoccupied with consuming something that met its fate at the shoulder of the road, and let us get quite close before flying off.
We continued further south, with World’s End State Park in mind (my mind at least). We had camped there twenty-some years ago with the girls, and I remembered the long winding road leading us through the narrow valley, so that when we arrived that night long ago, it was eerily dark with only a sliver of sky showing. It had been an unsettling stay, with the mountains towering around us and unfamiliar sounds of wildlife close by. Today I saw the park in daylight, and left with better feelings for the place.
Nearby World’s End is High Knob Overlook. The views of the Endless Mountain region were breathtaking, and a camera couldn’t do them justice. We could only stand at the rail for a few minutes due to the fierce winds.
Coming down from High Knob, it was well past lunchtime. We had planned to drive towards Dushore, but the covered bridge in Forksville drew us in.
Forksville General Store and Restaurant was at the other end, and we went in to look around and stretch our legs. Seeing the cozy little restaurant area, we decided to stay and have our lunch there. We weren’t disappointed. George raved about his burger, and I enjoyed half of my sub, with the other half wrapped up for later. It was the perfect way to end our day before the long drive back home.