I saw a bear!

Naturally, I have no photographic proof. But it was a black bear cub. We didn't see the mom, despite putting the car into park in the middle of the road and waiting. I had my camera out at that point, waiting to get a picture.

But the day wasn't a total waste. I DID get some other pictures. We took a short roadtrip to the Monogahela National Forest and a couple state parks nearby. It was beautiful! And, because it was higher elevation (we made it to 3800ft.), it was prime fall colors.

Monongahela



this is Watoga State park
Ferns at Beartown State Park. Had to include some green




The Cranberry Botanical Area. These ferns were huge and I felt like there should be dinosaurs around
A gigantic root cluster
Some wildflowers! They're actually tinted purple
Cranberry glades. Cranberries grow wild all over this bog/field
Totally unrelated, this is a climb that Micah bolted and will send soon. It looks like a ship's prow. Unfortunately this isn't the best picture to show that.
Hope everyone (Jay, maybe you're the only one reading this) is having a great season! I love you,
Stella